JCSU head football coach Steven Aycock at the 2010 CIAA Preseason Press Conference on the campus of Virginia State
Petersburg, VA - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) announced their 2010 Predicted Order of Finish along with the Preseason All-CIAA team at the annual CIAA Football Media Round-Up held inside Jones Dining Hall on the campus of Virginia State University. Johnson C. Smith was predicted to finish 10th overall and fifth in the South Division. Senior wide receiver
Jeremy Franklin (Casselberry, NC) was selected to the Preseason All-CIAA team for the third consecutive season.
This year's press conference featured the 2010 season theme, "Fear the 13: Triskaidekaphobia." The theme brings attention to two additional institutions joining the conference (Winston-Salem State and Lincoln PA) as well as the divisions being realigned from East-West to North-South. Johnson C. Smith has been placed in the South Division with Fayetteville State, Shaw, Winston-Salem, Saint Augustine's, and Livingstone.
Each head football coach conducted an interview with Stan Lewter of the Urban Sports and Entertainment Group and shared comments on the upcoming year.
When asked to provide prospective on the upcoming season, JCSU head football coach
Steven Aycock had the following remarks: “We plan to let our work speak for itself. A wise coach once told me that greatness is measured over time and we're putting in the time to be great. I feel confident in the job my coaching staff and I have done in recruiting. We should be a lot bigger on the offensive and defensive line. A great deal of our returners has stuck around this summer to work out and build more comradery. We're holding ourselves accountable for this season and we still believe in the motto that you're either in or you're in the way. Our president, athletic director, and alumni have provided a greatly appreciated level of support to our program and we're building that excitement again around Golden Bull football.”
Franklin (6'3, 200 lbs) ended his junior season ranked first in the CIAA in All Purpose yardage with 1382 yards. He was second in the conference in receptions per game (averaging 5.3 catches) and third in receiving yards per game (averaging 73 yards). Franklin had the most kick return yardage with 628 yards off 25 returns. He finished with 610 receiving yards off 48 receptions and five touchdowns, along with 143 yards in punt returns. Franklin currently has 2,331 receiving yards and 151 catches for his career at JCSU.
"Jeremy has been something special for us,” said Aycock. “The coaching staff recognizes it and anyone who pays attention to JCSU football knows he makes plays for us plain and simple. With the group we have returning and the new recruits; hopefully we can place a solid receiver on the other side to compliment him (Franklin).”
The Golden Bulls will open the season on the road against Elizabeth City State on Saturday, August 28th in Elizabeth City, NC. JCSU will follow with a short week to face North Carolina Central on Thursday, September 2nd in Durham, NC. The home opener will be against West Virginia Tech on Saturday, September 11th at 2:00 pm on McGirt Field inside the Irwin Belk Complex.
Division rivals Fayetteville State and Shaw have been predicted to finish first and second overall, respectively. Five of the league's preseason top six teams are on the Golden Bulls' schedule this season.
For a complete listing of the preseason predicted order of finish, log onto the CIAA website at www.theciaa.com.
