Southeastern Louisiana Lions 2010 Review

2010 Record: 2-9 (1-6), 7th Southland
2010 Postseason: None
2010 Schedule/Results: @ Tulane, L 27-21, UT-Martin, W 24-10, Lamar, L 29-28, @ UL-Monroe, L 21-20, Texas State, W 49-24, @ Sam Houston State, L 57-7, McNeese State, L 13-10, @ Central Arkansas, L 30-23, Northwestern State, L 35-16, @ Stephen F. Austin, L 51-14, @ Nicholls, State, L 27-25

REVIEW

     The Lions are an actual contradiction in terms. They flamed out by losing 6 straight to end the season, but yet damn near knocked off Tulane and Louisiana-Monroe, both FBS members. Huh? All in all, the Lions were a hot mess in 2010.
     Tyler Beatty and BJ Young both shared the QB job, but neither was a standout. That being said, Beatty had the better season with 1738 yards, 14 TDs, and 8 picks in 9 games. Young passed for 1012 yards, but was upside down with 4 TDs to 7 picks in 6 games. Young is the front runner for the job, as Beatty departs.
     Sam Fairley and Zeke Jones split the RB duties, but even combined, still failed to rush for 100 yards per game. Jones was the more effective all around runner, as he outscored Fairley 8 to 1 on TDs for the season.
     Brandon Collins and Simmie Yarborough were actually very nice receivers on the season for the Lions. Collins grabbed 56 passes for 875 yards and 4 TDs, but Yarborouh was the scrogin threat as he went for a line of 60-709-9. Kory Theodore also grabbed 4 TDs on the year as a nice third compliment.
     Mark Newbill (LB) and Tommy Connors (DB) were both very busy seniors on defense in 2010, as Newbill was second in tackles in the Southland with 108. Connors finished 6th with 98 tackles on the season. Those will be huge voids to fill in 2011. Connors joined DL Lindsey Leavoy and Devin Boutwell in the Southland top 10 for TFLs as well. Connors and Leavoy both had 11 with Boutwell adding 8. Nathan Clophos added 5 sacks on the year, as SELU actually did a decent job of defending up front.
     The real problem came in stopping the pass, as the Lions gave up 239 yards per game through the air. Curtis Strong and Connors both made the top tenin the league in pass breakups. Strong had 9 and Connors had 7. Re'Keem Wilson had 6 picks to tie for first, but again, neither Strong nor Wilson were there for the routine stuff, leaving Connors alone to take up the slack in most areas.
     Seth Sebastian was solid, but not great at PK in 2010. He nailed 10 of 14 FGs on the season, but you would hope for better when you only post 14 attempts. Beau Mothe was a letdown at punter, as he only averaged just over 38 yards per punt, second worst number in the league. Mothe was only a sophomore, so there is time to develop.

FINAL NOTES

SELU was a mess for the most part, but there was talent there, especially on defense in Tommy Connors. Consistency is the key here, and it would seem that the Lions need to get up for every game like they did against Tulane and Monroe. If they can find a leader on offense, and find consistency on defense, the Lions can improve in 2011, but losing Newbill and Connors are huge blows on the defensive side. SELU will be an enigma coming into 2011.