Stanley Jennings leads Albany State to brink of SIAC title

Stanley Jennings says it’s not in his nature to be a vocal leader, but there came a point during Albany State’s season when he realized he had no choice.

His position, quarterback, demands it. His team needed him to speak up if it hoped to repeat as Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champions. His coaches prodded him to do it.

“That was one thing I lacked, being a great vocal leader,” said Jennings, a former Marietta High School standout. “I got a little help from Coach [Uyl] Joyner [the offensive coordinator]. He was telling me that everybody is going to look at me because I am the quarterback.”

Eventually Jennings started speaking up, the Golden Rams picked up their play and now they are in position to win another SIAC title. East division champion Albany State (8-2, 6-1 SIAC) faces Miles (6-4, 5-2) in the inaugural SIAC championship game Saturday at Clark Atlanta.

The Golden Rams are seeking their sixth SIAC title in 12 seasons under coach Mike White. A victory Saturday also likely would assure Albany State of its eighth consecutive berth in the Division II playoffs when bids are announced Sunday.

Coaches picked Albany State to win the league in the summer, but White said then he wasn’t so sure. The defense had been the strength under White, who also is defensive coordinator, but a lack of experience on that unit meant the Golden Rams were in the unusual position of relying on their offense.

Jennings led the offense until the defense matured. After earning SIAC MVP honors as a junior, he came into this season with high expectations and has met them all.

Jennings repeated as SIAC offensive player of the year after leading the league in touchdown passes (23) and total yards (2,310) during the regular season and ranking second in passing efficiency. Jennings improved his record as a starter to 19-3.

He said the turning point for Albany State after an upset loss to Lane. With Morehouse surging in the East, White told his players they would have to win out if they hoped to win the SIAC and make the playoffs.

“We figured it was going to take more effort, being more focused during practice to get it right,” Jennings said. “That’s all it took, and we have been doing good since.”

The Golden Rams beat Morehouse the next week to start a four-game winning streak and earn a rematch with Miles, which lost at home to Albany State 34-27 on Sept. 24.

While Albany State coaches were pleased with Jennings’ production, they needed him to improve his leadership.

“We asked him get out in front a little bit more,” White said. “That’s not what he likes to do. He likes to lead by showing. But now you see him being very vocal, especially when it’s crunch time. It was a different Stan than we know.”

Albany State expects to have strong support from both fans who travel to the game and its large alumni base in Atlanta. Jennings will play in his home area for the first time this season because Albany State played host to Morehouse, and its game at Clark Atlanta was moved to Waycross.

“I understand it might be a little cold, but besides that, I’m pretty excited,” he said. “My [legal] guardian and a lot of people from Marietta are coming to watch the game.”

White said he’s “not worried at all” about Jennings’ focus.

“He wants this,” White said. “I think our team wants to come back and win it again, when a lot of people didn’t think we could get back here because of how much [experience] we lost.”