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TSU offensive line hogs spotlight
By MIKE ORGAN ? Staff Writer ? August 6, 2008
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Tennessee State center Cecil Newton isn't used to being the center of attention.
But that is where Newton and his fellow offensive linemen find themselves heading into the 2008 season.
After helping the Tigers lead the Ohio Valley Conference last year in rushing offense, fans and media are expecting big things from these big players, or the Big Hog Mollies as Newton calls them.
"The Big Hog Mollies don't usually get a lot of credit for what we do because we're just so big and fat,'' the 6-foot-2, 305-pound senior from Atlanta said. "But people don't understand, the offense doesn't move without the offensive line. It doesn't move without protection. It doesn't move without picking up schemes.''
The returning starters, along with Newton, include tackle Cornelius Lewis and guards Alex Davis and Duvall Young.
The returnees not only possess valuable experience, they are talented in other ways, according to offensive line coach Russ Ehrenfeld.
"Cornelius transferred to us last year from Florida State, is a great talent, has worked very hard this summer, had a great spring semester academically to put himself in a great position. He is a heck of a player,'' Ehrenfeld said. "Davis played as a true freshman last year, but didn't play like a freshman. He got progressively better as the season went on.
"Cecil Newton is a four-year starter who is very athletic and then Duvall Young worked his way into the lineup."
Last year, TSU averaged 210.8 rushing yards per game.
"What makes us so good is we spend a lot of time in the film room trying to learn about our opponent,'' Newton said. "And we are all like brothers on the offensive line. We know each other like we were brothers. I know what each of the guys on both sides of me are going to do in certain situations. They know what I'm going to do."
Tailback Javarris Williams rushed for more than 1,000 yards for the second consecutive season and credits, in part, his familiarity with blockers.
"I couldn't ask for anything more than having that kind of experience on the o-line,'' Williams said. "I know those guys, how they're going to block, and they know me, where I'm going to go."
The newcomer who will be called on to replace tackle Qudus Adeboyejo, who used up his eligibility, is Dumaka Atkins, a 6-4, 295-pound senior who transferred from Florida State during the summer after playing center for the Seminoles.
Atkins graduated from Florida State and will be a graduate student at TSU. He moved last spring to defensive tackle at FSU, then decided to transfer.
"Defensive tackle really wasn't working out for me,'' Atkins said. "I had my hometown (Sarasota, Fla.) buddy Alex Davis and Cornelius Lewis, who was my roommate at Florida State, at TSU and called them up and said, 'I want to play with you boys.' ''
Former TSU lineman dies: Qudus Adeboyejo, 23, a former offensive lineman for TSU, was found in his off campus apartment Monday evening by his roommate.
Adeboyejo was immediately rushed to St. Thomas Hospital, and was pronounced dead.
The death has been ruled a suicide, according to a TSU athletic department official.
Adeboyejo, a Mattison, Ill. native, was scheduled to graduate from TSU in December 2008. He was majoring in human performance and sports science with a concentration in physical sciences.
"It is devastating anytime society is faced with the loss of a promising young life. Qudus was part of the TSU family. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family and friends," Athletics Director Teresa Phillips said, adding that grief counseling is being offered to TSU students, faculty and staff.
Reach Mike Organ at 259-8021 or [email protected].
TSU offensive line hogs spotlight
By MIKE ORGAN ? Staff Writer ? August 6, 2008
Post a CommentRecommend Print this page E-mail this article
Share this article: Del.icio.us Facebook Digg Reddit Newsvine What?s this?
Tennessee State center Cecil Newton isn't used to being the center of attention.
But that is where Newton and his fellow offensive linemen find themselves heading into the 2008 season.
After helping the Tigers lead the Ohio Valley Conference last year in rushing offense, fans and media are expecting big things from these big players, or the Big Hog Mollies as Newton calls them.
"The Big Hog Mollies don't usually get a lot of credit for what we do because we're just so big and fat,'' the 6-foot-2, 305-pound senior from Atlanta said. "But people don't understand, the offense doesn't move without the offensive line. It doesn't move without protection. It doesn't move without picking up schemes.''
The returning starters, along with Newton, include tackle Cornelius Lewis and guards Alex Davis and Duvall Young.
The returnees not only possess valuable experience, they are talented in other ways, according to offensive line coach Russ Ehrenfeld.
"Cornelius transferred to us last year from Florida State, is a great talent, has worked very hard this summer, had a great spring semester academically to put himself in a great position. He is a heck of a player,'' Ehrenfeld said. "Davis played as a true freshman last year, but didn't play like a freshman. He got progressively better as the season went on.
"Cecil Newton is a four-year starter who is very athletic and then Duvall Young worked his way into the lineup."
Last year, TSU averaged 210.8 rushing yards per game.
"What makes us so good is we spend a lot of time in the film room trying to learn about our opponent,'' Newton said. "And we are all like brothers on the offensive line. We know each other like we were brothers. I know what each of the guys on both sides of me are going to do in certain situations. They know what I'm going to do."
Tailback Javarris Williams rushed for more than 1,000 yards for the second consecutive season and credits, in part, his familiarity with blockers.
"I couldn't ask for anything more than having that kind of experience on the o-line,'' Williams said. "I know those guys, how they're going to block, and they know me, where I'm going to go."
The newcomer who will be called on to replace tackle Qudus Adeboyejo, who used up his eligibility, is Dumaka Atkins, a 6-4, 295-pound senior who transferred from Florida State during the summer after playing center for the Seminoles.
Atkins graduated from Florida State and will be a graduate student at TSU. He moved last spring to defensive tackle at FSU, then decided to transfer.
"Defensive tackle really wasn't working out for me,'' Atkins said. "I had my hometown (Sarasota, Fla.) buddy Alex Davis and Cornelius Lewis, who was my roommate at Florida State, at TSU and called them up and said, 'I want to play with you boys.' ''
Former TSU lineman dies: Qudus Adeboyejo, 23, a former offensive lineman for TSU, was found in his off campus apartment Monday evening by his roommate.
Adeboyejo was immediately rushed to St. Thomas Hospital, and was pronounced dead.
The death has been ruled a suicide, according to a TSU athletic department official.
Adeboyejo, a Mattison, Ill. native, was scheduled to graduate from TSU in December 2008. He was majoring in human performance and sports science with a concentration in physical sciences.
"It is devastating anytime society is faced with the loss of a promising young life. Qudus was part of the TSU family. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family and friends," Athletics Director Teresa Phillips said, adding that grief counseling is being offered to TSU students, faculty and staff.
Reach Mike Organ at 259-8021 or [email protected].
