albanyherald
Four freshmen are gaining valuable experience on Albany State's offensive line, learning the rigors of college football firsthand. Head coach David Bowser is determined that these lessons will pay off for the Golden Rams in the future, starting with Saturday's 2 p.m. kickoff at Clark Atlanta.
Albany State enters the game with a 3-5 overall record and a 3-3 mark in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, fielding a battered lineup. Bowser remains steadfast in his belief that the team's record doesn't fully reflect its progress.
"We are a young football team, and we are playing good football," Bowser said. "Don't just look at the result, you will get discouraged. Look at the process, we are getting better every game. You have to stay positive and look at the process."
That process has recently involved scrambling to find healthy offensive linemen. Starting center Ty'Orice Brown suffered an injury in Saturday's 29-8 loss to Benedict, further thinning a unit already relying heavily on freshmen. Brown was the only returning starter from last year's championship team. Bowser noted that the Rams have reached their third center, placing another inexperienced player in a crucial role that demands communication and quick decisions.
Starting quarterback Jeffery Davis also exited early against Benedict after injuring his non-throwing shoulder, but Bowser expects him to play against Clark Atlanta. Davis has been receiving three treatments a day, and his return would provide a boost. However, it won't make the players blocking for him any more experienced.
Against Benedict's formidable defensive front, the young linemen had to recognize pressure, execute assignments, and sustain blocks against more seasoned opponents. Bowser commended them for stepping in and competing, but the next step is maintaining those blocks long enough for plays to develop.
"Experience is something you can't replace," Bowser said. It's also something that can't be manufactured in a Tuesday film session; players must accumulate it, often through frustrating possessions.
That's why Bowser has worked to highlight both the positives and negatives from the Benedict game. Albany State held the Tigers scoreless in the first quarter, and Bowser praised the defense's effort, especially after halftime, along with Jonathan Rodriguez's punting that helped manage field position. Vinson Berry stepped in at quarterback under difficult circumstances.
But a blocked field goal cost the Rams points, and a fumble returned for a touchdown helped Benedict seize control. Albany State had chances to make the game more competitive but failed to capitalize.
"When we get the ball at the plus-45, we've got to come away with points," Bowser said. Those possessions have become teaching moments. Correcting a block here or cleaning up an assignment there could turn a promising drive into something more tangible than another moral victory.
Clark Atlanta will test whether those corrections hold. The Panthers are 2-6 overall and 2-4 in conference play, but Bowser expects their defense to challenge his young offensive line with movement and inside blitzes. Recognizing pressure and communicating before the snap will be critical.
Defensively, the Rams must contend with an offense that spreads the field and threatens the perimeter. Bowser anticipates defensive backs Evan Wynn and Rontavion Scott returning after missing the Benedict game. Forcing turnovers could provide the shorter fields Albany State needs.
Those are the immediate tasks for Saturday. Beyond them lies a larger challenge that could define the season's ultimate meaning. Bowser pointed to experienced opponents whose rosters have remained intact, with players who have learned each other's tendencies, worked through mistakes, and returned with a better understanding of their coaches' expectations.
He wants Albany State to have that same continuity. In the transfer portal era, with name, image, and likeness opportunities adding another factor to players' decisions, maintaining roster cohesion requires deliberate effort. Developing freshmen is only part of the job; keeping the group together allows that development to compound. Otherwise, a program finds itself teaching the same lessons to different players year after year.
Bowser's approach starts with helping his team see progress amid disappointment. He has praised their effort, emphasized productive film and weight-room sessions, and reminded players that injuries don't erase their accomplishments.
"The sky is not falling," Bowser said. He can envision what these freshmen might become, and his task is to help them see it too—and give them a reason to grow together at Albany State.
Originally reported by albanyherald.