Willie Slater, Tuskegee shooting for SIAC title in 2016

TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- The preseason goals for Willie Slater and the Tuskegee football team never change.

"We have pressure every year," Slater said. "We want to win every game we play. That is the only pressure I feel. Every time we line up, I want to win that game."

Entering his 11th season as the Golden Tigers' head coach, Slater has won almost 80 percent of his games (92-24). Tuskegee went 10-3 a year ago, going 7-1 in the SIAC, and reaching the NCAA Division II quarterfinals.

This year's team returns 50 lettermen and has been picked to finish second in the SIAC West, just behind defending conference champ Miles College. Slater's team lost a big lead at home to Miles a year ago, eventually falling 26-23.

Slater hasn't forgotten that November day. The rematch comes Nov. 5 in Birmingham – the regular-season finale.

"Our goal is to win every game we play, and we definitely want to win our conference," Slater said. "But we also say that if we can be good enough to play in the playoffs, then we will be good enough to win our conference.



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