Albany State still in search of first win

The most important stretch of the season for the Albany State Rams football team begins this weekend as it really gets into its conference schedule. At 0-3, the Rams need to pick up momentum in a hurry and will start with a somewhat unfamiliar foe in Lane College.

The Rams and the Dragons haven’t met since 2011, when the Dragons won 26-24, upsetting the then-12th-ranked Rams. It was Lane’s first win against ASU in the series history, with the next closest thing to victory being a 6-6 tie in 1966.

This week, ASU hits the road to take on an 0-2 team that saw last week’s game against Livingstone College canceled due to weather.

It will be an earlier one in Tennessee as kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday.

Here are a few keys to the upcoming matchup:

Scouting report on an unfamiliar foe

Giardina said they can only go on what the tape shows, and from what they’ve seen, quarterback Marcus Reynolds is who they have to contain most.

“You get the film and you watch the tape and they’ve got a talented quarterback,” he said. “A kid that’s a very good athlete, a Georgia State transfer who really can run. They’ve got a big noseguard, about 327 pounds, kind of a mountain in the middle there.”

“I think the big thing is making sure there aren’t gaps. That we’re not rushing past the quarterback. You’ve got to keep him in the pocket, make him throw the ball on throwing down. The worst thing that can happen to us and having a bunch of scramble yards.”

Stopping the pass and run game

Lane played a solid first half against undefeated Morehouse two weeks ago and lost to Lincoln University of Missouri by just a field goal in the season opener. The Dragons are averaging 134 rushing yards and 99 passing.

While their 200 yards of offense isn’t much, it has been enough to keep them in some close games, and Giardina said it’s about playing defense as a unit.

“We’ve got to gang tackle,” he said. “Get two hats on the ball and tackle as a team as opposed to putting ourselves out there in space and playing one-on-one with the guy.”

Quarterback keeper

The Rams are still looking for a constant under center. Giardina said after his performance against West Georgia last week, Kelias Williams has earned the nod under center.

“I thought Kelias played really good last game and got us going offensively,” Giardina said. “He’ll start again and we’re just asking him to take what’s there and rely on that big offensive line.”

Eliminating penalties

After another double-digit penalty game last week, Giardina said now is the time the Rams have to mature and eliminate penalties. He was pleased they cut down the pre-snap penalties, and said the goal is now to remain disciplined and poised.

The Dragons have made strides and appear as though they won’t beat themselves. After racking up 189 yards on 12 penalties in their season opener, the Dragons were called for just four penalties for 41 yards against Morehouse.

Injury report:

Running back Kelan Fraise will see limited minutes this week after suffering an injury to his MCL against Tuskegee. Saftey Malachi Brown will be out, while saftey Tyler Scott will see limited minutes. Right tackle Raekwon Bethea is back. Defensive end D’Shon Rosser will see very limited minutes.