Savannah, Ga. -- Savannah State University's football team held a practice Saturday morning at T.A Wright Stadium. The next 10 Saturdays, nothing but regular-season game action.

"This is definitely the time when you start to get that adrenaline rush," Tigers quarterback Jadon Adams said. "You get that feeling football is back. You're watching football on TV. It's lovely."

In seven days, SSU joins the college football party, lining up against Southern University in Baton Rouge, La. It's a big test for the Division II Tigers against a Division I Football Championship Subdivision program, but one they're looking forward to.
Possibly, the jump start needed to improve on the 2-8 record from 2023?

"I feel we're going to have a better season," SSU defensive tackle Nathaniel "Bubba" Chisholm said. "Everyone around here feels it too."

Some Division II teams were in action Saturday, but the Tigers had a bye week. Third-year head coach Aaron Kelton used the extra time to prepare for Southern. Projected backups saw the bulk of playing time.

"We were looking at the (second-teamers) to get them some additional snaps and get them ready for next week," said Kelton, who saw a lot of positives.

Early in Saturday's workout, quarterback Christian Burks hooked up with wide receiver Elijah Stephens for a touchdown. Burks backs up Adams and Stephens has been looking to join a talented wide receiver group that includes Da'Shun Mitchell, Randy Scott and Brent Carr.

A year ago, Mitchell led the team with 35 catches and 562 receiving yards. Carr paced the squad with an average of 17.6 yards per catch and six touchdowns.

"We return all those guys so we feel we're pretty talented at that position. We have to get the ball to them," Kelton said.

SSU's special teams also had a special day. Lexington Matthews boomed punts nearly 50 yards downfield with plenty of hang time.

"He's done a good job during the offseason. I think he has a chance to have a really good career," Kelton said.

Jimmy Mal, the placekicker, displayed accuracy during his special teams section. Mal is a transfer from McPherson College, an NAIA school in McPherson, Ks.

Last season, Ken Lockhart handled both the punting and placekicking.

Steady Scott is back to return punts and kickoffs.

On defense, Chisholm is back after missing five games with a knee injury last season. Chisholm, a tackle, was productive with five tackles for losses and three sacks before his injury.

The Tigers are expecting big things from Tony Rountree, a 6-foot-3, 325-pound interior lineman.

Another lineman, Wesley Bentley, a 2021 all-state performer at Upson Lee, adds athleticism. According to Hudl, the 6-foot-4, 275-pound transfer from Butler runs a sub 5-second 40-yard dash.

In the backfield, Ahlik Booker stood out Saturday with an interception of Adams while in a red zone drill. Booker, Keion Bryant, DeAndre Creary and Hudson Primus form an experienced group that ranked third in the 13-team SIAC in pass defense last season.

Creary was fifth in the conference with 10 passes defended and seventh with three interceptions.

"We're still preparing," Kelton said. "I haven't figured them out (Southern) yet, but I will. We have to get good practices in before we leave. We're excited to go down there and play. Any time you play up, you want to put on a good show."