ATLANTA, GA -- Considering that preseason rankings mean just that- a simple preseason prediction. Albany State football isn't overly concerned with their predicted spot in the SIAC.
Announced on Tuesday at SIAC Kickoff Lunch, ASU earned four first place votes…good enough for second place behind Morehouse College in the East Division.
The Golden Rams open the 2012 schedule with the team that closed the book on their 2011 season, North Greenville. Albany State lost to the Crusaders in the first round of the Division Two playoffs 63-14.
That final score certainly isn’t lost on ASU Head Coach Mike White and his Golden Rams.
“I just think we can play a lot better than we did. I thought the conference championship loss had a lot to do with it...going in to that game. I just think we’ll go in with a better attitude and I think it’ll be a better ballgame,” Coach White said.
Using last November’s no-show as motivation, White says he expects a different result to open the 2012 season.
“Anytime anybody beats you as soundly as they beat us, and you get another chance to play them? The next game? Yea, definitely motivation to play better,” Coach White added.
Seven ASU players were announced to the SIAC All-Conference team. Wide receiver Ronnie Tubbs and defensive lineman Justin Blash headlined the first team selections for the Golden Rams along with offensive lineman Hakeem Lassiter, linebacker Larry Whitfield and kick returner Orion Ponder.
A trio of wideouts closed out the ASU ledger on the second team: Nathan Hoyte, Adrian Alexander and Orion Ponder.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWFXL