The Lincoln Blue Tigers are seeking to win their third season opener in the past four years today when they begin the 2018 season against the Lane Dragons in the Bluff City Kickoff Classic.
Kickoff is at 4 p.m. at Halle Stadium in Memphis, Tenn.
With four players on the Lincoln roster from Memphis, the Classic gives them a chance to play in their hometown in the neutral-site contest.
"I think it brings the community together when you go to a Classic," Lincoln coach Steven Smith said. " We've got a lot of students going to the game, our band is coming. I think it's going to be a great atmosphere."
Lane, a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, posted a 2-8 record in 2017. The Dragons sandwiched an eight-game losing skid with wins in their season opener and finale.
"We have to set the tone with the offensive line and defensive line, being physical up front," Smith said. "If we can set the tone with both sides of the ball up front, I think we'll set the tone with everything else."
The Dragons lost a number of seniors from last year's roster, so Smith said Lincoln will go into the game "a little bit blind," which can be typical of a season opener.
"You don't know who's the guy, whether it's a new guy who took over or whether it's the No. 2 guy," he said.
However, one thing Smith does know is Lane's quarterback, senior Marcus Reynolds, will lead the rushing attack. He ran for 446 yards last season, in addition to passing for another 674 yards.Smith is familiar with Lane from his previous coaching experience at Albany State, which is a member of the SIAC. Lincoln's coach is also familiar with Lane head coach Derrick Burroughs, who previously played in the NFL as a defensive back for the Buffalo Bills.
"I expect them to be coached up and knowledgeable about what we're doing, and be very disciplined in what they're doing," Smith said.
Smith also previously worked with Lane offensive coordinator Vyron Brown when they were together with the Kansas City Chiefs.
"His offense is going to be multiple sets, they're going to run some option, they're going to run some regular drop-back passing stuff," Smith said.
Defensively, Smith said Lane has a strong blitz package and have two strong pass rushers, as well as linebackers that can shoot the gaps.
In the practices leading up to today's game, Smith said the Blue Tigers have been fine-tuning their game plan.
"There are going to be some errors, but I don't want mental errors," he said. "I don't want us having bad assignments. There are going to be some technique errors, but we've got to continue to be strong mentally."
Smith announced Henry Ogala won the battle for starting quarterback ahead of today's opener. Ogala played in just three games last season, but he started the 2017 season opener for Lincoln.
Ogala has shown he can control the game in practice, Smith said.
"He and the receivers have a good relationship going on now, good chemistry with getting the ball down the field. He controls the huddle more," Smith said. " I don't need the quarterback to win the game, I need the quarterback to put the ball in the playmakers' hands and let them win the game. He has to manage that and be a leader on the field."
The Blue Tigers also returns what Smith refers to as the "three-headed monster" backfield of Kevin Ferguson, Terry Hunter and Hosea Franklin.
The last time these two teams met, Lincoln won 12-9 on a 54-yard field goal by Alex Templeton on the final play of the game in 2016 at Dwight T. Reed Stadium.
"We're going to go full stride into every game," Smith said. "I don't look past anybody. This game is going to set the tone for our season."
III
Lincoln leads the all-time series 9-6 against Lane. Lane added another former NFL standout to its coaching staff during the offseason. Jacoby Jones, who played for the Dragons in college, will be the wide receivers coach. Jones played nine seasons in the NFL, earning a Pro Bowl honor and helping the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl win in 2012. The Blue Tigers will have a short turn-around, playing Thursday in Springfield at Missouri State - an FCS opponent. Lincoln will host Wisconsin-Oshkosh for its home opener Sept. 15.
Related Media: Lincoln Blue Tigers Football Podcast [Lane preview, Sept. 1, 2018]