Albany State Rams start prepping for season

Albany State University head coach Mike White.

ALBANY, GA — The A.J. McKenna era is over, so when coach Mike White and the Albany State University football team took the field for their first practice Thursday morning, one of the main things on their mind was the open quarterback spot. It’ll be tough to replace McKenna, who led the SIAC in passing yards per game (184.3) last season, but White said one of the three players vying for the spot — Wayne Campbell, Stanley Jennings and Chris Payne — should fit in nicely.

“They’ll be alright,” White said. “I don’t know if any of them will beat A.J.’s (numbers) — the size, the athlete, the combination A.J. had was really rare — but I think somebody will fill his shoes and definitely take care of the offense.” Campbell returns from last year’s team, Jennings is a transfer from Southwest Mississippi Community College and Payne is a redshirt player who originally signed with ASU in 2006.

And while Thursday was the first time the coaches were able to see them all together in action, White said he already knows they’ll follow plays better than McKenna did. “These are a little more coachable guys,” White said. “A.J. was a pretty intelligent kid, but he was a guy who always wanted to throw the ball deep. He would have a guy wide open in his face and he would try to force it deep. “He had that trouble all season. It was hard to get him to see that.”

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Albany State Rams: 'Get it done'

ALBANY, GA — Every college football season begins with uncertainty. Players come and go, strategies change and teams that don’t win a championship the year before look for areas to improve the next season. Albany State is no exception, coming off a season where it started 7-0, only to lose three out of its last four and finish the season at 8-3, leaving area fans scratching their heads.

The team was back at the drawing board this summer, but as far as head coach Mike White is concerned, there is no doubt the Rams can add another Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship to their stash this season. “We think we’re going to be a very good football team in 2010,” said White, who has led ASU to four championships as he enters his 10th season as the Rams’ head coach. “We have to constantly improve. Each year, the goal is the same, to improve on what we did (the last year) and find those things we have to work on and get ready for the season.”

As if ASU didn’t have enough incentive, the SIAC’s preseason predictions — released Wednesday — picked nine Rams for the first team, but surprisingly picked the team to finish second behind Tuskegee. Those rankings don’t matter to White, though, who said his team’s play on the field does all the talking. “That’s the difference in being at Albany State,” White said. “You just gotta get it done.”

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White: SIAC title will be won on field — not with votes

ALBANY, GA — Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference predictions? What predictions? As far as Albany State head football coach Mike White is concerned, the SIAC’s predicted order of finish for the 2010 season Wednesday didn’t happen. “I have no reaction (to the SIAC predictions),” White said. “I understand what it is, but (I think) everything is solved by going on the field and taking care of business on Saturdays.”

That may be true, but that fact is, the SIAC coaches picked nine players from Albany State for the Preseason All-Conference team — the most in the conference — but didn’t pick the Rams to win it all, choosing Tuskegee University instead. “Tuskegee’s been the champ the past few years,” White said. “They’re well-deserved to be picked first.”

While ASU had the most official All-Conference team members, in reality, they were tied with Tuskegee, Fort Valley State and Kentucky State with eight selections. White confirmed Thursday that defensive linesman Joshua Ingram (Sr.) — a first-teamer — will not be returning next season. “I believe some of (those All-Conference teams are) misleading,” White said. “(For instance), Ingram is no longer with the team, so he won’t be back next year. ... It just boils down to trying to stay healthy and finish some football games.”



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Albany State QB Club set to host kickoff reception

ALBANY, GA — The Albany State University Rams football fans and supporters are invited to meet and greet the football coaches and hear exciting information about the upcoming season at a preseason reception. The 11th annual Preseason Football Reception will kick off on Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Eula Lovett Hall at the Albany State University Coliseum at Albany State.

The reception is free of charge and open to members of the QuarterBack Club and Golden Rams football fans. The dinner, like every year, will mark the official start of the 2010 season, according to coach Mike White.

"The football reception is a great opportunity for us to thank our fans for supporting us throughout the past season and solicit support for the upcoming season," White said. "We are looking forward to a great 2010 season and providing lots of excitement for our fans as we compete for the SIAC and national championship titles."



White and the assistant coaches will give a preview of and answer questions about the Rams’ upcoming season. Guests will also get to meet and greet several Rams football players. ASU, which has won 13 SIAC Championships, will open the 2010 season on Aug. 28, in a conference matchup against the Kentucky State University Thorobreds. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Frankfort, Ky.

For more information about the dinner or tickets for games this season, call (229) 430-4673 or (229) 430-6470.