2010 Clark Atlanta Panthers Football Preview

[wsm]

2010 Clark Atlanta Panthers Football Preview by Jarrett Carter

by Jarrett Carter • Sep 3, 2010 10:30 AM EDT

There is cautious optimism for the Clark Atlanta Panthers in 2010. Controversy over an early season coaching change still looms over the campus, and the talent returning to the AUC’s other football school doesn’t appear to be threatening enough to visualize a run to the conference title.

Can the SIAC’s best running back and something to prove put CAU into a top-five finish?
2009

A fired coach, a forfeit win due to swine flu over Stillman, and a seven-game losing streak to end the season were the memorable moments from 2009 for the Clark Atlanta Panthers. They were bottom third in most statistical categories in the SIAC, and mistakes often marred close contests with the conference’s elite.
The Good

CAU’s Winston Thompson is the SIAC’s best running back, and enters the 2010 season just two yards shy of 3,000 career rushing yards. He is the pre-season first team running back for the conference, is an overwhelming choice to be Player of the Year with a breakout senior campaign.
The Bad

Several seniors from the fourth-best pass defense in the conference have left, and sophomore starter Jasper Hanson and 09’ reserve Dominic Hughes return to a unit that had just five interceptions last year. Senior receiver Mortimer Lightburn (319 yards, Two TDs in 09’) returns to lead the Panther receiving corps, but questions will linger around senior quarterback Mark Wright, who led the conference in interceptions last year with 13.

http://atlanta.sbnation.com/2010/9/3/1660780/2010-clark-atlanta-panthers

[Black Panther40]

Man...

Dude could have picked up the phone and called somebody at Clark to confirm facts.  QB Mark Wright was gone after spring ball, and Mortimer decided not to return as well.  A lot of new faces, that may surprise some people expecting different personnel.

Fire it up, CAU....!

[Black Panther40]

Well . . . Looks like Mortimer is back in the fold.  Dude is a physical freak.  Big, fast, agile, great hands.  Has the tools to play at the next level, but may not get the numbers to stand out.