B R O N C O S Raeford, NC while Whitemire will travel south from Friendship Collegiate Academy High School in Washington, DC. Whitemire is 6-2 in height and weighs 295 pounds. “Offensively, I think we are going to be real good as long as our new guys come in and do well for us,” says Coach Kershaw. “I thought we had a real good spring. The offensive line, I think, should be a strength for us.” BRONCOS DEFENSE “Defensively, we are going to go back-and-forth between a 3-4 and even front. We will play man and zone coverage. So we will be multiple in that aspect,” declares Head Coach Kershaw. “We answered some needs in our recruiting with the defensive line and linebackers.” Five new linemen are on slate to report to offi cial team activities. Off the scales with an average weight of 285 pounds, four of the linemen are JUCO transfers. Justin Barlow (6-1, 295lbs, Carson City, NV), Keith Sampson (6-2, 285lbs, Fresno, CA) and Javon Hampton (6-2, 285lbs, Perris, CA) hail from the west coast. Jamar Ferguson (6-1, 260, Far Rockaway, NY) completes the transfer list. 2013 season outlook Four linebackers return from last season and they will receive fi ve new additions. Rising sophomore Marquel Gathers (Smithfi eld, NC) received CIAA All-Rookie Team honors with 22 registered tackles, three and a half tackles for a loss, and an unassisted sack. He played most of last season as a back-up to departing senior Bryce Williams. Williams had 70 stops in nine games with 16 tackles adding up for a loss of 94 yards. Joseph McLean ranks fi fth on the Broncos defense in total tackles. At the outside-linebacker position, his 39 tackles include fi ve and a half stops for a loss of 19 yards and one sack. He also fi nished with four passes defended and one blocked kick. Benjamin Brown (6-2, 225lbs, Los Angeles CA) and Rueben Ortega (6-1, 230lbs, Stanton, CA) will transfer from Santa Monica Junior College and Golden West Community College; respectfully. “The best unit on the defense is the secondary,” states Kershaw. “We have some real good guys back there.” The secondary of Fayetteville State’s defense will return a total fi fteen student-athletes. Michael Johnson (Jr., Free Safety – Raleigh, NC), who was recently named to the 2013 Lindy’s All-Division II First Team, will highlight the returning Bronco defenders. Johnson led FSU in tackles with 93 (48 solo and 45 assisted) and four interceptions. He ranked fi fth amongst the CIAA in tackles and interceptions. Simeon Marshall (Sr., Defensive Back – Jacksonville, NC) fi nished fourth on the team in total tackles. He recorded 31 solo stops and 14 assisted tackles. Marshall has a career count of 70 unassisted and 34 assisted tackles. “We should be much improved over last year’s defense; especially with the newcomers coming in. I think we should be real good,” declares Kershaw. SCHEDULE Fayetteville State will open the season on September 7th; hosting Kershaw’s alma mater Virginia State. His fi rst test as a head coach will kick off at 6:00 pm in L.N. Jeralds Stadium. The contest will highlight the university’s athletic hall of fame and the tenyear anniversary of the 2003 championship team. The game will also be a reunion for several coaches on Kershaw’s staff. Defensive Coordinator Errick Hargrove (Winston-Salem State, ’02) began his coaching career at VSU and matriculated on the sidelines for the past decade. Outside Linebackers Coach Theron Jones (Fayetteville State, ’05) spent his previous four seasons with the Trojans before returning to his alma mater. Since the 2000 season, the Broncos lead the series 6-3 with a two game win streak. The fi fth annual Two Rivers Classic will have a change in weekends when the Broncos and the Braves of UNC Pembroke meet-up in Jeralds Stadium. The event, which developed into an instant rivalry, will now be the weekend following the Labor Day holiday. Fayetteville State will look to achieve its fi rst win in the four-year history on September 14 at 6:00 pm. The classic will feature a golf tournament, business after-hours social, and a dance for students. FSU lost the inaugural game 34-41 in triple-overtime and last season 21-31. Fayetteville State will hit the road the following two weekends with a trip to Richmond, VA for a 7:00 pm matchup with Virginia Union on September 21. Offensive Coordinator Calvin Randall (Winston-Salem State, ’02) held several roles on both sides of the ball with the Panthers (his former employer) from 2004 till last season. FSU holds an 8-4 series lead since 2000. The Broncos will meet-up with Elizabeth City State in Rocky Mount, NC for the 16th Annual Down East Vikings Football Classic. Fayetteville State has a 4-1 record against ECSU in the classic. The September 28 matchup is scheduled for 4:00 pm. The rivalry has FSU ahead by one game (6-5) since 2000. Fayetteville State University became a four-year college in 1939 and carried the name Fayetteville State Teachers College. The history of the institution is known for the development of teachers and educators. On October 5th, “Educator Appreciation Day” will feature the Broncos-Chowan football clash at 4:00 pm in Jeralds Stadium. Chowan became a member of the CIAA in 2008 and trails FSU in the series history 3-1. 48 18
Fayetteville State Football Media Guide 2013
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