Lincoln (Pa.)
The nation’s oldest HBCU returns to gridiron competition for the first time since 1960 with O.J. Abanishe as its head coach. The Lions will compete on a club level this season but will square off against such CIAA foes as Fayetteville State, Shaw and Bowie State, among others. Lincoln will officially begin play in the CIAA in 2009.

NCCU (6-4)
Head coach Mose Rison and the Eagles finished with a winning record in their first year in FCS (Division I-AA). QB Stafford Brown (1,711 passing yards, 14TDs, 13 ints) didn’t put up the numbers he did in 2006 when he was named Black College Player of the Year but will look to bounce back this season. Leading receiver Wayne Blackwell (42-509-4) Deep threat Will Scott (15.5 ypc) return as does RB Jeff Toliver who was injured the first game of the season. The defense will be tested with the loss of seven starters.

Savannah State (1-9)
2007 was an abysmal season for the Tigers and they can only get better in 2008. New head coach Robert Wells was hired in December and signed 29 to his first recruiting class. Defensively the Tigers gave up 34.3 points per game and 203 yards rushing per game. But the pass defense was solid only giving up 12 TDs and 164 yards through the air. That entire unit returns intact, led by safeties Antwan Allen (82 tckls, 2 ints) and Javorris Jackson (74 tckls, 5 ints). The whole offense needs to be revamped but WR Deleon Hollinger (13.3 yards per reception) is talented and high school recruit Kurvin Curry (Hartwell, GA) could come in and start at QB.

Tennessee State (5-6, 4-3 OVC)
The Tigers should be one of the upper echelon teams in the OVC. Ten starters return on offense, led by All-OVC RB Javarris Williams (1,187 yards rushing, 6.1 ypc, 12 TDs). The offensive line will be one of the Tigers strengths, returning four of five starters led by first team All-OVC preseason pick OT Cornelius Lewis. QB Antonio Heffner returns for his senior season as the starter. He missed the first four games due to injury but put up some good numbers through the air (1,486 yards passing) and on the ground (337 yards rushing) in the last seven games. Heffner occasionally split time with backup QB Calvin McNairl (601 yards passing) who did see action in eight games and could be called upon if Heffner is not 100 percent. WR Chris Johnson (41 rec. 740 yards, 4 TDs) is a preseason first team All-OVC performer and will be the Tigers go-to receiver. Defense will be just as strong, returning 10 starters. NFL first round draft pick CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is irreplaceable, but LB Remond Willis (84 tckls, 50 solo) returns as the unit’s leader.