Wofford seeks to end postseason drought
The date was Dec. 8, 2012.
Wofford College dropped a 14-7 decision in a FCS playoff game at eventual FCS champion North Dakota State. It marked the end of the Terriers’ run of five postseason appearances from 2007-12.
Wofford, which has four Southern Conference titles and six playoff trips since 2003, hasn’t been to the postseason the past three years. The Terriers were out of the playoffs from 2004-06 before starting a five-in-six run.
This makes for a sense of urgency among Wofford’s seniors, who could be the first four-year class in some time to not make the playoffs.
“It’s frustrating,” senior defensive end Boston Bryant said Wednesday during the SoCon Football Media Day. “We say it every day. We’ve got to get back to Wofford football. We’ve got to get back to 2012 and getting to the playoffs every year.”
Wofford will have to clear a demanding path to return to the playoffs this season. Chattanooga and The Citadel – last year’s SoCon playoff teams – appear capable of holding on to the league’s top two spots. The coaches and media preseason polls predict Wofford will finish sixth in the SoCon this fall.
“The conference has changed a lot,” Bryant said. “It’s a lot more balanced. That’s not an excuse for us. We have to do something to get back to that level. That’s our goal right now – making the playoffs and hopefully winning the SoCon championship.”
Bryant and senior offensive lineman Anton Wahrby know the state of Terriers football as well as anyone. Wahrby has played in all 33 games in three years, starting 29, while Bryant has played in 32 with 16 starts, including all 11 games in 2015.
“Personally, I definitely realize this is my last chance ever to (make the playoffs),” said Wahrby, a Preseason All-Southern Conference selection. “I want to go out on top for sure, and I’m sure my teammates feel the same way.”
After two seasons with few seniors and lots of injuries, the Terriers aren’t short on experience. They return 20 starters, including eight on offense and nine on defense.
“I like the personality of the team,” said Mike Ayers, who’s beginning his 29th season at the helm of Wofford football. “We’ve grown, as a football team, closer. We have a group of guys that understand what their role is, and they’ll do everything they can do to help that guy next to them.”
A lot of the team’s experience is in an offensive backfield led by senior quarterback Evan Jacks (675 yards rushing, 524 passing) and senior fullback Lorenzo Long (969 yards rushing).
“Evan proved from his body of work last year and spring ball that he’s the guy,” Ayers said of Jacks, who’s expected to be the starting quarterback when the Terriers open the season Sept. 1 at Tennessee Tech.