2024 SIAC Media Day sees Albany State as top dogs going into season

ATLANTA, GA – The 2024 SIAC Media Day saw every team in the conference explain why they belong as the top dogs going into the new year, but the media voted on Albany State to finish in first this year.

“Those those polls are always great to see, but for us it’s all about the work that we put in,” said Golden Rams head coach Quinn Gray.

The Golden Rams finished the 2023 season tied second in the SIAC with a 6-2 record in conference, tying four teams total for second place and finished as runners-up in the championship game to Benedict College.

Second year head coach Quinn Gray has an idea of how the Golden Rams bounce back.

“You know that was the whole message during the spring,” Gray said. “We climbed that mountain but ultimately didn’t get to the top of the mountain, and for us there’s always an opportunity to improve.”

Coach Gray also brought his standouts with him. Quarterback Isaiah Knowles threw 10 touchdowns before his injury last season, and defensive tackle Abraham Clinkscales, who tallied nine tackles through five weeks before his season was cut short also.

Both players emphasized they do not want a repeat of the last game of the season.

“We remember [Benedict College] hosting up that trophy and all that that’s a it’s a sight we don’t want to see again, so we want to be on the other side of it this time,” Knowles said.

Plenty of other teams will also be motivated to take the crown this year, such as the team Albany State beat in the Fountain City Classic, Fort Valley State University.

Third year head coach Shawn Gibbs had an overall record of 8-3 in 2023, winning the Florida Beach Bowl to end the season. In the preseason poll the SIAC predicted the Wildcats to finish second, and the veteran coach knows it’s not how you start but how you finish.

“You know preseason predictions mean nothing,” Gibbs said. “We’re actually thankful for being predicted as high as number two, but we know it means nothing.”

There’s a big bad wolf in the SIAC right now and that honor goes to the reigning champions, Benedict College.

The Tigers led the conference in offense with 39 points per game while allowing a conference low 10, but it may be a bit more difficult this year.

The team will have a new head coach in Ron Dickerson Jr. after Chennis Berry took the head coaching position at South Carolina State, so all eyes will be on how they can retain their title with new faces.