October 3, 2009
Wildcats Put Bears in Hibernation
By: FVSU Office of Sports Information
In a game that was an absolute “must win” for the Fort Valley State University (FVSU) Football Team, the Wildcats took advantage of their most productive offensive showing of the season in their 36-12 win over the Golden Bears of Miles College. The win was critical for FVSU because it allowed the Wildcats to remain in legitimate contention for the 2009 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Title.
Going into the game, the Wildcats were aware that a win would assure them of a fifth place ranking in the conference after the weekend. They also knew that a loss by conference member Clark Atlanta University to Kentucky State University on Saturday (combined with a Wildcat win) would propel FVSU to fourth place in the SIAC. Further, the Wildcats understood that a win combined with a Clark Atlanta loss and a loss by Morehouse College to Stillman College would take the Wildcats to third place in the weekly SIAC standings. Those advancements, however, were premised on a Wildcat win over Miles College.
While Saturday's game was homecoming for the Golden Bears, that distinction did little to defray the offensive assault that the Wildcats displayed before the 11,381 fans in attendance. The Wildcat run and pass attack combined for 414 yards of total offense. Split almost evenly, the Wildcats finished with 202 rushing yards and 212 passing yards. Defensively, FVSU validated its number one ranking in the SIAC for run defense by only allowing 66 yards in rushing by the Golden Bears. Combined with 137 yards in passing, the Bears were held to 203 total yards of offense.
The Wildcat rushing attack was sphere headed by senior running back Richard Willis who was the game's leading rusher with 98 yards. He had two touchdown runs of two yards each. Willis also finished with four receptions for 27 yards.
Senior quarterback Nathaniel Samas completed 15 passes on 25 attempts for 180 yards with one touchdown pass. The touchdown pass was a 25-yard reception on an acrobatic catch by senior wide receiver An'thon Harris who finished with five catches totaling 71 yards.
In addition to the completions to Willis and Harris, Samas also completed six passes to tight end Rodriquez Render for 72 yards; two to wide receiver Demario Barber for 25 yards; and one to tight end Jerel Hall for 17 yards.
The Wildcats took the early lead 3-0 after freshman kicker Justin Rosenbaum converted a 33-yard field goal with 13:37 remaining in the first quarter. That would be one of the three that Rosenbaum would make. He also converted field goals of 39 yards (his best of the season) and 22 yards. In addition, Rosenbaum was three of three in extra point attempts.
While the teams were tied at halftime, 6-6, that would be as close as the Bears would get to the Wildcats who dominated the second half. Touchdown runs by running backs Richard Willis and Brandon Anderson in the third quarter extended the Wildcat lead to 19-6. In the fourth quarter, Rosenbaum's 22-yard field, Willis' second touchdown run, and Harris' touchdown catch was the final piece of bad news for the Bears.
The Wildcat defensive effort was led by reserve linebacker Dan Foster who was forced into a starting role after last week's injury to starter Trent Newton. Foster finished with a Wildcat high nine tackles.
The Wildcats are now 4-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play. FVSU returns to confines of Wildcat Stadium next weekend to host SIAC opponent Stillman College. Kick-off for the game is Saturday, October 11th at 7 p.m.
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