DeFilippis still No. 1 QB at SSU

Savannah, GA - DeFilippis remains starting QB for Tigers. There’s no quarterback controversy at Savannah State. A.J. DeFilippis is still the starting quarterback, says Tigers coach Steve Davenport.

DeFilippis suffered a chest contusion after getting hit on a blitz in the second quarter during a 41-6 loss to Appalachian State last Saturday. Backup Antonio Bostick, who started seven games a year ago, played the rest of the way and scored the Tigers’ lone touchdown on a 10-yard run.

“We’re looking forward to having (DeFilippis) back this week,” Davenport said. “He’s the starting quarterback and I’m one who believes if the man wins the job in competition, it’s his job. I’m not necessarily going to change that.”

DeFilippis has started all three SSU games this ...




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Conference newcomer SSU seeks respect

Savannah, GA - This is a special season for Savannah State University’s football program because it’s the Tigers’ first as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

“It’s a sense of belonging,” said SSU senior quarterback A.J. DeFilippis, a Benedictine graduate. “We have a home now. We have a group of teams that we can play every year and maybe establish some rivalries, and establish our power and maybe get some respect from these teams.

“Our past records, we’re not really thinking of it that way. We don’t want to look back. We want to look forward and know that we can establish our power in this conference.”


Homecoming 2011: Savannah State vs. Hampton University, 2 p.m.

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SSU football team conducts first scrimmage

Savannah, GA - Savannah State University’s football team held its first scrimmage of preseason camp Saturday morning at T.A. Wright Stadium. As is the case with most teams at this point, the defense was ahead of the offense.

“I saw what I thought I would see,” first-year SSU head coach Steve Davenport said.

The two-hour scrimmage was open to the public, but the 50 or so fans who attended had to stand behind a fence because of stadium construction. SSU did not keep score or statistics. SSU will hold its second scrimmage at 5 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium. This scrimmage also will be open to the public. The Tigers’ scrimmage at 5 p.m. Aug. 25 at T.A. Wright Stadium will be closed to the public.

Senior Justin Babb, the Tigers’ starting tailback, was in uniform but did not play.




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Savannah State Tigers open Camp

Savannah, GA - The renovated T.A Wright Stadium is not even complete yet, but that didn't stop the Savannah State football team from hitting the field at their new home. Wednesday afternoon, Head Coach Steve Davenport and the Tigers opened up pre-season camp with a two hour practice on the new field turf at T.A Wright stadium.

"It feels good to get to work," said Davenport. "We're all about competition here...no job is taken yet." The Tigers are coming off a 1-10 season in 2010.

"There's a lot of excitement in the air all around campus," said Senior Running Back Justin Babb. "New" is the word around camp. In 2011 the Tigers have a new head coach, new conference in the MEAC, and a new stadium.



A total of ninety-four players have checked into camp under Tigers Coach Steve Davenport.

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PHOTO GALLERY: TED WRIGHT FOOTBALL STADIUM RENOVATIONS
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SSU getting closer to finishing major stadium renovations

Savannah, GA - It may be the summer time, but there is a lot of action going on at Savannah State to get ready for their upcoming football season and it's not the football team. If you've driven by Savannah State's campus recently, you've seen a lot happening to T.A. Wright Stadium which has been under construction for almost a year.

Part of a $17 million project that also includes a new student center, the football stadium is getting a much needed facelift; new turf is being laid, a new track put down, expanding the seating on both sides to hold 8,000, new locker rooms for home and away teams, an expanded press box and two new buildings for restrooms and concessions.

Leading the way on the project from construction company RW Allen is a former SSU football player, so a lot of pride is going into the project from all involved.



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Savannah State University football season tickets on sale now

Savannah, Georgia - Season tickets for the 2011 Savannah State football season are now on sale through the SSU Ticket Office and on the SSU athletics website ssuathletics. Season tickets will be $75 which includes parking as well as a commemorative season ticket pass.

SSU season tickets can be purchased online through ssuathletics.com, over the telephone (912-358-3429) or by visiting the SSU Ticket Office in Tiger Arena.

The Tigers home games will feature Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opponents Howard (Oct. 1), Florida A&M (Oct. 15), Hampton (Oct 29), Norfolk State (Nov. 5) and South Carolina State (Nov. 19).

Under the direction of new head football coach Steve Davenport, Savannah State will kick off the season September 3 in the Macon’s Music City Classic at Henderson Stadium against in-state rival Albany State.

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Savannah State's Davenport conducts first spring football practice

Senior RB Justin Babbs receives medical redshirt from NCAA

With the sounds of constructing a new T.A. Wright Stadium echoing across the street, Savannah State University’s football team on Wednesday conducted its first spring practice under new head coach Steve Davenport.

SSU worked out for two hours on its practice field near Tiger Arena. It was the first of 13 practices the Tigers will conduct in a four-week period, ending with their annual Orange and Blue game April 14. Players wore helmets, jerseys and shorts. Their first practice in full pads will be Saturday at 10 a.m. Their next practice is Friday at 3:30 p.m.

Davenport, who was hired Jan. 7 after four seasons as the running backs coach at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, said it was a strange but great feeling overseeing his assistants as they instructed players.

Spike Lee tells SSU students to seek education and passion

It wasn’t Spike Lee’s first time talking to college students in Savannah — he spoke to Savannah College of Art and Design students in 2005. But the opportunity to speak at Savannah State University — the city’s historically black university — he said, was one he could not pass up. Especially considering that Lee is a product of a historically black school, Atlanta’s Morehouse College.

“There was a time when (blacks) couldn’t go to any other school,” Lee said to applause. “We couldn’t go to the University of Georgia.”

For well over an hour Tuesday night the acclaimed filmmaker told SSU students to fight ignorance with education and find their passions. Using anecdotes from his own experiences, the bespectacled Lee told the hundreds gathered in Tiger Arena what he believes is the key to a positive, happy life.

Click here to view Spotted® photos of his lecture at SSU

SSU football begins spring practice today

Savannah State University football coach Steve Davenport will pay close attention to running back Justin Babb and offensive lineman Demetrius Edwards when the Tigers begin spring practice today.

The NCAA granted Babb and Edwards medical hardships, also called medical redshirts, giving the seniors an extra year of athletic eligibility. A medical hardship may be obtained from the NCAA to replace a season lost to injury if an athlete plays in 30 percent or less of his or her team’s games.

Babb, SSU’s leading rusher in 2009 and 2008, suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in the Tigers’ third game last season against Bethune-Cookman. Edwards suffered a season-ending knee injury against Bethune-Cookman.

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Coach Steve Davenport determined to make SSU's football team a success

By Whitney Hunter, The Tiger's Roar

Coach Steve Davenport may be a newcomer on the scene, but he is determined to make Savannah State University's football team the team to watch in 2011.

The married Atlanta native and father of one, has always had a love of sports dating back to his days as a All-American wide receiver at Southwest Dekalb High School and a wide receiver for Georgia Tech.

"I was a little league baseball player and never played football until I got into high school and I've always been a sports guy," Davenport said.

The new head coach started off 2011 by hiring former Georgia Tech football players William Bell, Thomas Balkcom, C. Angelo Wyatt, Greg Lester and former All-Pro wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, Terance Mathis, as his new assistant coaches.

"I have the up most confidence in the gentlemen I hired and have known them for quite some time," Davenport said.

In addition to the five assistant coaches, Davenport has landed 24 recruits from various parts of the country. Davenport is confident the new recruits will be the boost that SSU needs.

" I think these guys are good football players and good students as well," Davenport said." I think they will be a tremendous asset to the SSU community."

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Savannah State Releases 2011 Football Schedule

SSU 2011 Football Schedule (click here)

SAVANNAH, Ga.- A new stadium, a new conference, a new coach and five home games highlight the 2011 Savannah State football schedule.

The Tigers will play in a brand new Theodore A. Wright Stadium as members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) under the direction of new head football coach Steve Davenport. After playing just two home games last year, SSU will play five games at home in 2011, all against MEAC opponents.

Included in the schedule are first ever matchups with Southeastern Louisiana and Appalachian State as well as eight MEAC games. SSU will start the season with four road games.

Savannah State will play former Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival Albany State on September 3 at a yet to be determined location.

After road trips to Southeastern Louisiana (Sept. 10) and Appalachian State (Sept. 17), the Tigers will play their first official MEAC game on the road against North Carolina Central on Sept. 24.

SSU will play Howard on October 1 at 7:00 p.m. for their first home contest of the season in the “Coming Home/Hall of Fame Game”.

Following a road trip to Morgan State (Oct. 8), the Tigers return home for a three-game home stand.

Savannah State will play host to Florida A&M (Oct. 15) for “Church & Community Day” at 7 p.m.

After an OPEN date on Oct. 22, SSU will celebrate HOMECOMING on Oct. 29 against Hampton at 2:00 p.m.

Norfolk State visits the Port City on November 5 for “Band Weekend/High School Day” and SSU travels to Bethune-Cookman on Nov. 12.

The Tigers close out the 2011 campaign on Nov 19 with South Carolina State on “Senior Day/Military Appreciation Day”.

MEAC games on the schedule include NCCU, Howard, Morgan, FAMU, Hampton, Norfolk State, Bethune-Cookman and South Carolina State.

Albany State, Appalachian State, Bethune-Cookman and South Carolina State all made the playoffs in 2010. Albany State made the Division II playoffs while the remaining schools participated in the FCS playoffs.

SSU 2011 Football Schedule (click here)

by SSU Sports Information

SSU's Davenport signs 20 players

Two days after announcing the hiring of five assistants, first-year Savannah State University football coach Steve Davenport on Wednesday announced the signing of 20 players to national letters of intent.

Davenport, who was hired Jan. 7 after four seasons as the running backs coach at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, signed 13 players from Georgia high schools. None of the signees are from the Coastal Empire.

"I don't have a lot of relationships that were built in Savannah, but I will," said Davenport, a 43-year-old Decatur native. "We're going to extend ourselves to the coaches in the community, and to the community as a whole. But this wasn't an opportunity to do that. I got the job so late I hit the ground running, and ran to where I knew I would be accepted. We'll get to the people of Savannah."



Tigers Ink 20 Football Recruits

SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State head football coach Steve Davenport announced the signing of 20 young men who have decided to continue their educational career at SSU. “We wanted to bring in quality student-athletes and good football players,” said Davenport.

Of the 20 signees, 13 hail from the state of Georgia in the Atlanta metro area. Davenport thinks that linebacker Jordan Mincy, wide receiver Vaughn Cornelia, defensive lineman Evince Dossous, wide receiver Kristopher Drummond and defensive end Brandon Rhodes could come in a possibly get some playing time early.

Full Signee List (Click Here)

Savannah State Coach Davenport Hires Five Assistants

Videographer:wsav.com, SSU's Davenport Preps for Coaching Hires and National Signing Day

SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State head football coach Steve Davenport has hired five assistant coaches to join his coaching staff.

Among those are former Atlanta Falcons All-Pro wide receiver Terance Mathis and former Georgia Tech football players Thomas Balkcom, William Bell and Greg Lester.  C. Angelo Wyatt round out the staff hires.

Mathis will serve as offensive coordinator/inside receivers coach; Balkcom will be the defensive backs coach; Bell will work with the running backs; Lester will be the assistant head coach/outside receivers coach; and Wyatt will serve as the linebackers coach.

Mathis attended Redan High School in Stone Mountain, Ga., and University of New Mexico, where he played both football and basketball. In 1989, he became New Mexico's first consensus All-American after setting a Division I record for most receiving yards. He also became the first player to have more than 250 receptions, 4,000 receiving yards, and 6,000 yards total. Drafted in 1990 by the New York Jets, he played the majority of his career with the Atlanta Falcons. He last played in the NFL in 2002 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and then retired in 2004.


Videographer: capturedliving; 2010 Terance Mathis' Elite 1 Football Camp

Coach Balkcom

Balkcom comes to SSU from University High School in Orlando, Florida where he coached defensive backs and was the special teams coordinator. The Miami, Fla. native was head coach at Pine Ridge HS in Deltona, Fla. and Miami Jackson Senior HS in Miami, Fla. He has also coached at Decatur HS and Southwest Dekalb HS both in Decatur, Ga. He was a defensive assistant at Central Florida and Morehouse and Morris Brown. While attending Georgia Tech, he was defensive co-captain of the 1990 national championship team and was named defensive MVP of the Florida Citrus Bowl.

Bell comes to Savannah State from Edward Waters in Jacksonville, Fla. While at EWC, Bell has served as interim head coach, assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, wide receivers coach, special teams coordinator, recruiting coordinator, running backs coach, video coordinator and football academic specialist. Bell has been at Edward Waters since 2004. He was also a member of the Tech 1990 national championship team and has 2,026 career rushing yards as a Yellow Jacket. Bell played with the Washington Redskins from 1994-96.

Lester comes to SSU from Lakeside High School in Decatur, GA where he was head football coach. He also served as head golf coach and was a business education teacher. In 1990 as a wide receiver at Tech, Lester caught 16 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns and in 1991 he hauled in 35 receptions for 676 yards and five touchdowns.

Coach Wyatt

Wyatt worked at Bethune-Cookman for 13 years where he was assistant head coach and outside linebackers coach. Wyatt brings more than 20 years of knowledge to SSU as he has coached on both the college and high school levels of athletics. Prior to arriving at Bethune-Cookman, Wyatt established the Urban League for Disadvantaged Children (ULDAC) in his hometown of Jacksonville, Fla.

Davenport plans to add two additional full-time coaches to the staff.

By Savannah State Sports Information


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SSU’s Davenport remains a one-man coaching staff

SSU’s Davenport remains a one-man coaching staff

With National Signing Day eight days away (Feb. 2), Savannah State University’s football program remains a one-man coaching staff. Steve Davenport, formerly the running backs coach at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, was hired Jan. 7 to replace Julius Dixon, the Tigers’ interim head coach since Jan. 28, 2010.

Davenport has not hired any assistant coaches, SSU sports information director Opio Mashariki said in an e-mail Sunday in response to an inquiry from the Savannah Morning News.

SSU gets verbal from Duluth LB

Justin Dixon, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound linebacker at Duluth High School, has verbally committed to play football at Savannah State University, the Gwinnett Daily Post reported.

Dixon, Duluth’s leading tackler the past two seasons, was named to the All-Region 7-AAAAA second team last season as a linebacker. He made 98 tackles, including two sacks, last season. As a junior, Dixon made 120 tackles, including two sacks.

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Savannah State University Hires Davenport To Lead Football Program

Davenport said the SSU job appealed to him because of the MEAC

SSU hires Davenport as new football coach

Excerpt:
Davenport was chosen from more than 200 applicants, SSU athletics director Marilynn Suggs said. He will be paid $125,000 annually - more than Wells ($90,000), Theo Lemon ($65,000), Richard Basil ($61,164) and Ken Pettiford ($61,000), the Tigers' coaches since moving up to the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) in 2002.

Suggs said a search committee, chaired by prominent booster Henry Nash, submitted a list of three finalists: Davenport, Jackson (Miss.) State University offensive coordinator Earnest Wilson and The Citadel running backs coach Everette Sands. They interviewed at SSU on Tuesday.

"And after meeting with them, the choice was clear," Suggs said. "After making my recommendation to the university president (Earl Yarbrough), who concurred, I contacted and offered this man."

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SSU OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE 

SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State University has hired Steve Davenport as the Tigers’ new head football coach, Athletics Director Marilynn Stacey-Suggs announced today.

Davenport’s appointment is effective immediately. He replaces Julius Dixon, who served as the interim coach for the 2010 season.

The Decatur, Ga., native comes to SSU from the University of Alabama-Birmingham where he served as the Blazers running back coach since December 2006.

While at UAB he also served as the Director of Community Relations, where he organized and facilitated all community service programs.

Davenport, 43, spent two years (2005-06) as the offensive coordinator at Rockdale County High School in Conyers, Ga. At Rockdale County, he joined a staff that previously went 1-9 in 2004 and finished runner-up in Region 8-AAAA, and advanced into the second round of the state playoffs.

He was the head coach at Decatur High School for two seasons (2003-04) and in 2003 was named the Georgia Class AA State Coach-of-the-Year as his team finished 13-1, losing in the state semifinals.


Videographer: KEN SLATS, WSAV 3

Davenport also spent four seasons (1997-2001) as the head coach at Redan High School in Lithonia, Ga., and served as the offensive coordinator at Southwest DeKalb High School in Atlanta from 1994-96, when the school won the 1995 Georgia State AAAAA state championship. He also worked as a defensive backs coach at Southwest DeKalb (1990-91) and helped the team reach the 1990 AAAA State Championship game.

Davenport was a graduate assistant coach at Georgia Tech during the1992 and 1993 seasons. Under head coach Bill Lewis, he assisted in coaching the wide receivers; served as assistant recruiting coordinator; aided in coordinating recruiting weekends, breaking down film and assisting in game plan preparations; and was responsible for the defensive scout team during practices.

Davenport was a four-year letterwinner as a player at Georgia Tech from 1985-88. He was a member of the Yellow Jacket team that defeated Michigan State in the 1985 All-American Bowl played at Legion Field.

A three-year starter at wide receiver, Davenport earned his undergraduate degree from Georgia Tech in 1990 and his master’s degree from Tech in 1994.

He is married to the former Stephanie Gilstrap.

From: SSU Press Release 1/7/2011

3 finalists for SSU football head coach

Savannah State University has three finalists for its football head coaching job, the Savannah Morning News has learned.

The finalists are Steve Davenport, running backs coach at the University of Alabama-Birmingham; Everette Sands, running backs coach at The Citadel; and Earnest Wilson, offensive coordinator at Jackson State University, SSU sports information director Opio Mashariki confirmed Thursday morning.

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