COLUMBIA, S.C. – The 2013 football season ended less than two weeks ago for the Benedict College Tigers, finishing 4-6. Head coach James Woody is accentuating the positives of the season and is optimistic the upward climb will continue next season.

The 2012 Tigers football team went 1-9, and their statistics showed why the team struggled on the field. This past season, the Tigers improved in every major statistical category. On the defensive side of the ball, Benedict ranked in the top 10 nationally all season until giving up 530 yards against Lane in the final game of the season and dropping to 16^th. Benedict also finished 12^th in passing defense.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Tigers made big strides as well, improving their rushing attack by 50 yards per game and the passing attack by 50.8 yards per game, for a total improvement of more than 100 yards per game. Benedict had its first 100 yard rusher in three years when Tavion Wright gained 126 yards against Morehouse. The Tigers also finished ranked 18^th nationally in time of possession.

"This past season I thought went very well," Woody said. "When you break yourself down statistically and see what you did last year and what you've done this year and see what direction the program is headed, it is very positive. I was very impressed with our defense overall, and also our offense because we've come a long way.

"Defensively, we did a phenomenal job from last year as far as total defense, defense against the run and against the pass. There's major improvement, as well as special teams. But we need to get much better with the punt return team. We had two (punt returns for touchdown) called back (because of penalties)."

A veteran defense led the way for the Tigers in 2013. Benedict opened the season by holding Central State to 123 yards of total offense, then beat Virginia State in the New York Urban League Classic by holding the Trojans to 135 yards of total offense. Virginia State did not lose another game after that and finished 9-1.

"I put a lot of pressure on those guys to carry us because we had much more experience on that side of the football," Woody said of the defense. "We're losing a lot of seniors we have to replace – Martin Epps, Brandon Beech, Devin Gainer. So we're losing a lot of depth over there, but I thought the young guys stepped up."

Offensively, the Tigers took more chances with deep throws in 2013, finishing with eight receptions of 40 yards or more. Woody said there were plenty of other opportunities where the Tigers missed receivers on deep routes.

"I thought coach Sean Anderson did a great job of putting an offense in that actually fit the style of our play," Woody said. "I'm very happy to see Harlon Samuels come back and have a phenomenal season. He was one of our top receivers, leading us in catches and yards. Kendariss Brown had a pretty good season, but I'm expecting more out of him. I'm real happy with the young receiving corps we have coming back, along with some of the recruits we have coming in to enhance our ability to stretch the field even more. And hopefully next season we can be more consistent in hitting these open receivers. At times we did get them open and the line gave them time to place the ball where it needed to be, but we lacked consistency."

Marcus Graham started the season at quarterback. He was replaced by freshman Brandon Thompson after six games and moved to wide receiver. When Thompson struggled in the final game against Lane, Graham moved back to quarterback. Woody said Graham is the team's number one quarterback heading into the offseason.

"He's getting better and better each year," Woody said of Graham. "I've got total confidence and belief that we can win with Marcus. Brandon Thompson came in as a freshman and pushed (Graham). He had some early mishaps and interceptions, which is a lack of confidence. But I think he is our quarterback and I believe in him, but I expect Brandon to push him in the spring. Whoever comes out of the spring has the starting job. I think we can win with either one of those guys. As far as experience, Marcus has the edge, and we'll give him a shot as the number one quarterback going into the spring. But he's going to have to hold on to it, because we're expecting to bring in some transfers as well."

The Tigers had injury issues at running back. Last season's leading rusher, Christopher Johnson, never stepped on the field. Lorenza Cooper, Marvell Taylor and Kenneth Hurley all went down with injuries during the season. One of Woody's key recruiting targets this offseason will be a big, bruising running back who can gain yardage, especially close to the goal line. One of the team's weak spots this season was in the red zone, where the Tigers scored 19 touchdowns on 43 trips inside the 20-yard line.

The Tigers lose several key seniors, especially on the defensive line, where Gainer, Beech and Jayvis Ward were mainstays and leaders. Woody said he plans to bring in some junior college transfers to give the Tigers some veteran experience at those positions.

"All three of those guys showed strong leadership. They were well respected," Woody said. "So we're looking to bring in some guys in January, some transfer guys, who can come in and fulfill those spots. We've got some young guys already in house, those guys who were second string that can push for a starting job. But we need a little more experience in that area, and a little more depth, and I think we'll be a much better program."

Woody said offensive line is another key area they will focus on during recruiting, with the goal to bring in one or two left tackles. He wants to add a couple of fast receivers and bring in an extra kicker and punter to challenge and provide backup help for Eduardo Hernandez and Brian Curry.

"I think with some heat and pressure, you'll see a better performance out of those juniors next year," Woody said.

And Woody wants to bring in two players who can handle long snapping duties so they won't have the snapping issues they ran into this season.

Although the Tigers will return most all of their linebackers, Woody said he would like to improve that position as well.

"We're looking to upgrade our status at linebacker. I want to get taller there; taller, stronger and faster. We missed a lot of tackles. We're expecting some major changes in that area to enhance the overall corps," Woody said.

Woody and the assistant coaches are busy with recruiting. He said he wants to continue to increase the talent level, as well as focus more heavily on recruiting in-state players.

"My goal is to stay in state and recruit these high school kids and tap those cities like Washington, D.C. who get that financial aid, the D.C. TAG (tuition assistance grant) money that they can use here at Benedict. I'm mainly looking for great football players. I don't want a team, I want a program. I want to build this program with in-state students. That's been our focus since last spring, and I'm looking forward to signing quite a few kids from in-state. There's a lot of hidden talent back up in the woods. We've been getting good response from those coaches and they like the direction the program is headed."

Although the season just ended, Woody said the returning players are already working hard in the weight room to get stronger for next year.

"With the hiring of coach Alonzo Shuler, a Benedict graduate, he has done a phenomenal job with our strength program," Woody said. "We're still in the process of lifting and running, we have not shut down, we have not taken a break. That's going to be extremely important to us, the offseason program. We're looking for him to take us to the next level."

The Tigers will begin their spring football drills in late February or early March, with the annual spring game set for early April.

"You can see the process is heading in the right direction," Woody said.