The Southeastern Louisiana Lions football program is the intercollegiate American football team for Southeastern Louisiana University located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and are members of the Southland Conference. Southeastern Louisiana's first football team was fielded in 1930. The team plays its home games at the 7,408 seat Strawberry Stadium in Hammond, Louisiana. The Lions are coached by Frank Scelfo.
Video Southeastern Louisiana Lions football
History
When the program was restarted again in 2003, after an 18-year hiatus, Hal Mumme, formerly the head coach at the University of Kentucky, was hired as head coach. Mumme became the 12th head coach in program history. Upon its return, SLU decided to compete at the NCAA Division I-AA level. The team finished its first season 5-7 and posted a 7-4 mark in 2004. The program posted a 51-17 win over #6 McNeese State and entered the Top 25 in the national I-AA rankings. Southeastern Louisiana ranked first among NCAA Division I-AA teams in total offense per game (537.1 yards) and passing offense per game (408 yards) in 2003.
After receiving an invitation from the Southland Conference for the football program to join, the conference where the rest of SLU's sports competed, it began conference play in 2005 - where it remains a current member today.
In 2012, Ron Roberts took over as head coach for the Lions and led them to a 5-6 record. The Lions finished the season with a 5--2 record in conference play, which was the best conference record the Lions had posted in the Southland since joining in 2005. The following year, the Lions posted an 11-3 overall record. The lions were led at quarterback by Oregon transfer Bryan Bennett. The Lions finished with a perfect 7-0 record in conference play and earned their-first ever trip to the NCAA Division 1 playoffs. The Lions earned a first round bye. In the second round, the Lions faced Sam Houston State in a rematch of the regular season game played between the two in which Southeastern won 34-21. Quarterback Bryan Bennett led a late game-winning drive to give the Lions a 30-29 thrilling victory. The Lions lost to the New Hampshire Wildcats in the quarterfinals 20-17. Bennett was first team all-Conference in 2013. Placekicker Seth Sebastian and kickoff returner Xavier Roberson won 2013 FCS Awards from College Football Performance Awards for the top positional performances.
Maps Southeastern Louisiana Lions football
Notable former players
Notable alumni include:
- Robert Alford, current National Football League cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons
- Harlan Miller, current National Football League safety for the Arizona Cardinals
- Billy Andrews, former National Football League linebacker for the Cleveland Browns
- Maxie Williams, former National Football League offensive lineman for the Miami Dolphins
- Ronnie Hornsby, former National Football League linebacker for the New York Giants
- Calvin Favron, former National Football League linebacker for the St. Louis Cardinals
- Jerry Davis, former National Football League defensive back for the Chicago Cardinals
- Wilson Alvarez, former National Football League placekicker for the Seattle Seahawks
- Horace Belton, former National Football League running back for the Kansas City Chiefs
- Donald Dykes, former National Football League defensive back for the New York Jets
- Kevin Hughes, current National Football League offensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers
- Nathan Stanley, current Arena Football League quarterback for the San Jose SaberCats
Year-by-year results
Championships
Conference championships
Conference affiliations:
- 1930-42, Independent
- 1946-47, Louisiana Intercollegiate Conference
- 1948-70, Gulf States Conference
- 1971, Mid-South Conference
- 1972-78, Gulf South Conference
- 1979, Division II Independent
- 1980-83, Division I-AA Independent
- 1984-85, Gulf Star Conference
- 1986-2002, No team (member of non-football Atlantic Sun Conference, 1991-97)
- 2003-04, Division I-AA Independent
- 2005-present, Southland Conference
Includes victory in 1946 Burley Bowl.
Playoff appearances
Southeastern Louisiana has made two appearances in the I-AA/FCS playoffs since 1978.
Rivalries
Active rivalries
Nicholls State Colonels
Northwestern State Demons
Inactive rivalry
Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns
The Cypress Mug was the turned, polished mahogany mug awarded to the winner of the Southwestern-Southeastern football game.
Future non-conference opponents
See also
- List of NCAA Division I FCS football programs
References
External links
- Official website
Source of article : Wikipedia
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