Albany State’s David Bowser sees progress as young Rams prepare for Clark Atlanta

ALBANY — Four freshmen are learning college football the hard way on Albany State’s offensive line. David Bowser wants the Golden Rams to benefit when those lessons stick.

That means getting them ready for Clark Atlanta on Saturday. It also means keeping them in Albany long enough to become the experienced players his team keeps running into.

In the transfer portal era, those are two substantial coaching assignments.

The immediate one comes with a 2 p.m. kickoff in Atlanta. Albany State enters at 3-5 overall and 3-3 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, carrying a battered lineup and a coach’s conviction that its record does not tell the whole story.

“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.”

Lately, that process has included finding enough healthy offensive linemen.

Starting center Ty’Orice Brown’s injury in Saturday’s 29-8 loss to Benedict further depleted a unit already leaning heavily on freshmen. Brown was the only offensive returning starter from last year’s championship team. Bowser said the Rams have reached their third center, putting another inexperienced player in a position that demands communication and quick decisions.

Starting quarterback Jeffery Davis also left early against Benedict after injuring his non-throwing shoulder. Bowser expects him to play against Clark Atlanta. Davis has been receiving three treatments a day.

His return would help. It would not make the players blocking for him any older.

Against Benedict’s strong defensive front, the Rams’ young linemen had to recognize pressure, make their assignments and hold blocks against players who have spent considerably more Saturdays doing this.

Bowser credited them for stepping in and competing. The next step is sustaining those blocks long enough for a play to develop.

“Experience is something you can’t replace,” he said.

It is also something a coach cannot manufacture during a Tuesday film session. Players have to accumulate it, sometimes one frustrating possession at a time.

That is why Bowser has worked to show his team what went right against Benedict alongside what went wrong.

Albany State held the Tigers scoreless in the opening quarter. Bowser praised the defense’s work, particularly after halftime, and Jonathan Rodriguez’s punting helped the Rams manage field position. Vinson Berry stepped in at quarterback under difficult circumstances.

But a blocked field goal cost Albany State points. A fumble returned for a touchdown helped Benedict take control. The Rams had opportunities to make the afternoon more competitive and could not cash in.

“When we get the ball at the plus-45, we’ve got to come away with points,” Bowser said.

Those possessions have become teaching material. Correct a block here, clean up an assignment there, and a promising drive has a chance to become something more useful than another encouraging clip.

Clark Atlanta will test whether those corrections hold up.

The Panthers enter 2-6 overall and 2-4 in conference play, but Bowser expects their defense to attack his young offensive line with movement and inside blitzes. Recognizing that pressure and communicating before the snap will be essential.

Defensively, the Rams must handle an offense that spreads the field and threatens the perimeter. Bowser expects defensive backs Evan Wynn and Rontavion Scott to return after missing the Benedict game. Forcing turnovers could provide the shorter fields Albany State needs.

Those are Saturday’s assignments. Beyond them lies the challenge that could determine how much this season’s struggles ultimately mean.

Bowser pointed to experienced opponents whose rosters have stayed together. Their players have learned one another’s tendencies, worked through mistakes and returned with a better understanding of what their coaches expect.

He wants Albany State to have that same opportunity.

With the transfer portal offering mobility and name, image and likeness opportunities adding another consideration to players’ decisions, continuity requires attention. Developing freshmen is only part of the job. Keeping the group together gives that development a chance to compound.

Otherwise, a program can find itself teaching the same lessons to different players.

Bowser’s approach starts with making sure his team can see progress through the disappointment. He has praised its effort, emphasized productive film and weight-room sessions, and reminded players that injuries do not erase the things they are doing well.

“The sky is not falling,” he said.

Bowser can see what these freshmen might become. His task is to help them see it, too — and give them a reason to become it together at Albany State.