PC eager to pick up where they left off in '07

Presbyterian College continues the transition to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision, and while the Blue Hose won't be eligible for a Big South title and a playoff spot until 2011, coach Bobby Bentley hopes his team won't wait that long to play winning football.

"It has not been a big deal," Bentley said. "I've tried to relate it to our team that you don't go out to play the first game thinking it's for a championship. Let's just play every game and concern ourselves with each week. That's the way we want to build the program, because if we go out and say, 'Heck, we're not eligible for a championship' we might as well not go out and practice. We're trying to win some daily battles, that's what we're trying to do."

PC has already won a few battles that show the Blue Hose have the potential to be a force to be reckoned with, most notably a 41-34 Big South victory at Coastal Carolina last season.

The Blue Hose return 18 starters, seven on offense, seven on defense and four on special teams, from last year's team that finished 6-5.

Most importantly, the Blue Hose return many of the key players on an offense that was the most prolific in school history.

PC set school records for total offense (5,290 yards) and scoring (404 points).

Quarterback Tim Webb returns for his junior season after completing a school-record 70.3 percent of his passes for 1,797 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Leading receiver Terrance Butler (65 receptions for 1,072 yards) also returns, as does leading rusher S.J. Worrell (150 carries for 715 yards).

On defense, the Blue Hose return all three starting linebackers, led by fifth-year senior Antwan Thomas. Thomas led the Blue Hose in tackles last season with 74.

The kicking game will be sound with kicker Cam Miller (seven of nine on field goals) and punter Bryson Summers (38.6 yards net average) returning.

PC stands to be an improved football team in many ways — including coaching.

"First of all, I feel a lot more comfortable," said Bentley, who is entering his second season. "I'm able to coach football for an entire year rather than set up all the things we had to set up originally. I've kind of been there, done that. I think I'll handle things a little better on the second go-round."

Bentley sees things improving off the field as well.

"We're trying to generate as much excitement as we possibly can," he said. "Season ticket sales are at an all-time high. The philosophy is working. We've just got to continue to build here to make it happen. It's a growth time. It allows us to grow and unify our program and plant the seeds for all the things we hope to reap in the future."

And while the Blue Hose may not be eligible for an official Big South championship, Bentley isn't afraid to dream of an unofficial one.

"We've talked about that," he said. "Last year, after beating Coastal, we were right in the driver's seat, as far as winning every one of our conference games. If that happened this year, I'm sure we'd do something. We'd do more than just buy them a T-shirt."