Southeastern Louisiana Lions
Southland
It was a pretty strong year for the Southland Conference, but it was Southeastern Louisiana that emerged as the best team. The Lions finished the year with 9-3 record and a 7-1 mark in conference play. The Lions did avoid playing Sam Houston State this year though, something they wish they could have done last year.
2014 Record: 9-3, 7-1
Coach: Ron Roberts
Big Wins: 10/18 Central Arkansas (41-24), 11/15 McNeese State (28-9)
Bad Losses: 9/20 at Southeast Missouri State (23-24), 10/25 at Stephen F. Austin (17-27)
Strengths:
There is plenty of talent on offense, but this team is all about defense. The only squads to score over 30 points against the Lions were FBS member Tulane and Lamar, a team that averages over 40 points per game. Five opponents were held to nine points or fewer. This is a solid all-around defense, but they can also make big plays. Isiah Corbett and Denzel Thompson are ball hawks who have picked off eight passes this season. Corbett is more than just a ball hawk though; he is one of the best linebackers in the country and will tally plenty of tackles and a few sacks here and there.
Weaknesses:
This is not a bad offensive team by any means. They score about 40 points per game and not many teams can say that. The running game has a lot of weapons. Backs Kody Sutton, Rasheed Harrell, Xavier Roberson and Eugene Bethea give Coach Ron Roberts a lot of options. But the most effective rusher is quarterback Bryan Bennett. On the heels of a great 2013 campaign, Bennett rushed for a team high 655 yards and 13 touchdowns and added 2,176 yards and 18 touchdowns through the air this season. But when this team has lost to FCS competition, it is the offense, for the most part, that has let them down. Against Southeast Missouri State, the Lions had no problem moving the ball, but it took two late touchdowns for the team to reach 23 points. Against Stephen F. Austin the ground game never got going. Bryan Bennett missed the first half of that contest with an injury, so that was part of the problem, but this team has to get some production out of the backfield from somebody besides Bennett.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Bryan Bennett, QB, 655 yards
Passing: Bryan Bennett, QB, 2,176
Receiving: Devante Scott, WR, 1,011 yards
Tackles: Drew Misita, LB, 80
Sacks: Isiah Corbett, LB, 4.5; Aaron Price, DL, 4.5
Interceptions: Isiah Corbett, LB, 4; Denzel Thompson, DB, 4
2014 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 237.6 (12th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Passing Offense: 229.0 (44, 5)
Total Offense: 466.6 (18, 4)
Scoring Offense: 40.4 (8, 3)
Rushing Defense: 111.3 (15, 2)
Pass Defense: 185.4 (20, 1)
Total Defense: 196.6 (11, 1)
Scoring Defense: 18.7 (16, 1)
Turnover Margin: 0.36 (34, 4)
Sacks: 2.45 (33, 3)
Sacks Allowed: 1.00 (11, 1)
Recent Playoff Appearances:
2013 Second Round Defeated Sam Houston State
2013 Quarterfinals Lost to New Hampshire
*all team stats through 11/15
