Wildcats Tame Tigers in Classic
By: FVSU Office of Sports Information
The Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) used the 2nd Annual Stan Lomax Gold Coast Football Classic as a forum to tame the Tigers of Edward Waters College, 32-13. Named in honor of the National Collegiate Athletic Association hall of fame football coach, Saturday's Lomax Classic was played at Glynn County Stadium in Brunswick, Georgia. And while the score indicates otherwise, the game was not as one-sided as it might appear.
In fact, it was the Tigers of Edward Waters who took the early lead. After a 5 play, 46-yard drive, the Tigers scored first when freshman quarterback Brandon Turman tossed a 6 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Joshua Williams. Bertram Balfour's conversion of the extra point gave the Tigers a 7-0 lead with 10:33 remaining in the first quarter.
However, on the ensuing drive, the Wildcats answered right back. FVSU quarterback Nathaniel Samas capped a 7 play, 74-yard drive with a one yard touchdown plunge with 7:16 left in the initial quarter. Justin Rosenbaum connected on the point after attempt to bring the game back to even at 7-7.
Later in the first quarter, the Wildcats would take their first lead of the game after recovering an Edward Waters fumble at the Tiger's 25 yard line. Six plays later, Samas called his own number again and dove in the end zone from one yard away for his second touchdown. Again, Rosenbaum was good on the point after attempt and the Wildcats now led, 14-7.
The Wildcats scored for a final time in the first quarter after a high snap on a punt attempt sailed over the head of Tiger punter Rodriquez Owens. To prevent a Wildcat touchdown, Owens kicked the ball through the end zone for a safety and the points extended the Wildcats lead to 16-7.
Midway through the second quarter, the Tigers would respond. After a short 4 play, 38-yard drive, the Tigers cut the Wildcat lead to just six points when Turman hit Samuel Charles on a one yard pass play for a touchdown. The extra point was missed so the Wildcats held a 16-13 lead.
With 2:10 remaining in the first half the Wildcats increased their three point advantage. After a FVSU drive stalled at the 28 yard line of the Tigers, Rosenbaum made a 38-yard field goal (his longest of the season) to push the Wildcat lead to 19-13.
While the teams went scoreless in the third quarter, two touchdowns in the fourth quarter made the difference in the game. Both scores were made by the Wildcats. At 13:39 left, running back Richard Willis carried the football in for a touchdown from 10 yards away. The tacked on extra point by Rosenbaum gave the Wildcats a 26-13 and sealed the outcome of the game.
For added measure, with only :21 seconds left, Nathaniel Samas found Rodriquez Render in the end zone on a touchdown pass of four yards. While the two point conversion attempt failed, the Wildcats got the win, 32-13.
The win increased the Wildcats season record to 3-2 overall and they remain 2-2 in conference play. FVSU will resume conference play next weekend when they travel to Fairfield, AL to meet the Bears of Miles College. Kick-off for this Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game is Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 1 p.m. (CST).
Statistical Highlights:
Running Back Richard Willis: 27 carries for a game high 129 yards rushing with one touchdown. Willis also led the Wildcats in pass receptions with four.
Tight Ends Jerel Hall and Rodriquez Render: Hall had two receptions after returning to the Wildcat lineup after an injury. Render finished with 3 receptions (one for a touchdown)
Quarterback Nathaniel Samas: Completed 14 of 22 pass attempts for 168 yards with one touchdown pass. He also ran for two touchdowns.
Kicker Justin Rosenbaum: The freshman kicker made three of three extra point attempts and converted a 38 yard field goal, his longest of the season.
Linebacker Dan Foster: The reserve linebacker made the most of his playing time with four tackles, one quarterback sack, and one tackle for a loss, one fumble recovery, and one pass break up.
Punter Marquette King: Averaged 39 yards per punt. His longest was 50 yards.
