If only the 100-plus people that turned out to the Orangeburg Touchdown Club's first meeting of the season Thursday were football-playing high schoolers, Wofford College would be in business.

That's because, in typical fashion, Terriers head coach Mike Ayers fired up those that showed up to watch him kick off the club's season -- as he has done each year since its inception. Always colorful, Ayers didn't shy away from raising his voice, describing how, in his younger days, he would bash trash can lids over his head, sometimes splitting himself open, to get his team fired up.

"I'd do it and most of the time, they'd be there saying, 'YEAH!'," Ayers yelled out, his voice echoing off the walls of the Cinema in the old Orangeburg Mall.

The message delivered by Ayers wasn't much different than years past. Of course, as in years past, any speaker following Ayers will be hard-pressed to match his intensity, desire and his ability to entertain while delivering the message.

The Wofford coach talked about the journey of taking Wofford to D-1 status.

"Almost everything said was derogatory," Ayers said. "But, I learned a lesson, and the lesson is, it's not what others think. It's what those in the inner circle think."

For Ayers, that inner circle is the 90 or so young men who make up his football team -- an extension of his family. He spoke about taking his young Wofford team through practice and preparing them for their season opener against South Florida Saturday.

"Are we ready to play?" Ayers said. "I don't know. But, at the end, if we can say we did everything we could do ... if we can say that, then ... praise the Lord."

Ayers did promise that his Terriers would give it all they had against the Bulls.

"We're four inches shorter and 30 pounds lighter everywhere," he said. "We're just the Wofford Terriers ... a little, short-hair dog. It's just a small dog. But, that dog ain't going to be nothing but fight, baby.

"(Wofford is) going to be committed," he added. "They're going to give it their all, and if not, they're going to hitchhike back."

Prior to Ayers, South Carolina State head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough gave his Bulldogs' report. Pough told those in attendance that camp went well, but that the Bulldogs will have their hands full with Grambling on Sunday.

He called Tigers defensive end Christian Anthony "the best at this level in the nation." He also had high praise for Grambling quarterback Greg Dillon.

"He's a really good quarterback," Pough said. "He reminds me of Cleve McCoy a little bit because he can run around. You are always concerned with him making something out of nothing."

South Carolina State wide receiver Thomas "Trey" Williams and defensive back Semaj Moody were presented with the Carolyn Brown Award, named in honor of one of the team's top fans that passed away in the offseason, for the most improved offensive and defensive players through preseason camp.

H-K-T linebacker William Bond and wide receiver D'twane Fulmer received player of the week honors for Week Zero; H-K-T quarterback Montaurus Gleaton and Bamberg-Ehrhardt tailback Demetrius Williams received player of the week honors for Week One.

The Orangeburg Touchdown Club is scheduled to meet again Thursday at the Cinema in the old Orangeburg Mall, with John Daye as the guest speaker. Doors are set to open at 11:30 a.m.

T&D Sports Editor Brian Linder can be reached via e-mail at blinder@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5553.

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