Last season's offensive show that was Southern will look a lot different when they take the field today against South Carolina State in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge.
Gone are two of the three main cogs to an offense that led the Southwestern Athletic Conference in scoring and was second in overall offense - running back Lenard Tillery and wide receiver Willie Quinn. Together, they accounted for 24 touchdowns and more than 2,600 yards of offense.
But the trigger man for that high-powered offense does return - quarterback Austin Howard. Howard threw for 2,650 yards and 29 touchdowns and finished 2016 as the SWAC's second-best passer.
The Southern offense will be trying to find its way against one of the best defenses in the nation, led by preseason MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and All Amerian Darius Leonard. In 2016, Leonard, a linebacker, led the MEAC with 124 tackles, 78 solo, and added 3.5 sacks. All-MEAC linebacker Dayshawn Taylor is also back as are vital cogs to the defensive front and secondary. .
The South Carolina State offense, which returns eight starters, was in the middle of the MEAC pack last season. But they will be starting a new quarterback and running back and will rely on the defense to keep them in games.
Kickoff at Southern is 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
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