FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY WILDCATS
VS
KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY THOROBREDS
PRE-GAME NOTES
October 8, 2011
THE MATCH UP: The Fort Valley State University (FVSU) Wildcats (1-4 Overall, 1-2 SIAC) will meet the Kentucky State University (KSU) Thorobreds (3-2 Overall, 0-2 SIAC) in a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest.
THE LOGISTICS: Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Alumni Field on the campus of Kentucky State University. It's homecoming for the Thorobreds and the University is in the midst of celebrating its 125th Anniversary.
ON THE AIR: FVSU will air the game live via the Wildcats Sports Network:
On Radio: (WFVS 104.3 FM in Fort Valley)
Internet: (FVSU website at www.fvsu.edu.)
Award winning play-by-play announcer Charles Ward and color analyst Mark Lassiter will provide the live coverage along with sideline reports by Phil Walker.
LAST TIME OUT:
Fort Valley State University 15, Tuskegee University 18
Kentucky State University 31, Albany State University 57
WHAT'S AT STATE: This game pits two members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) in a conference contest.
· After the loss to Tuskegee last week, the Wildcats need the win to remain in contention for the conference title. Although the teams play in different divisions of the conference (FVSU in the East, KSU in the West), a win or loss could factor into the final divisional standing for the Wildcats.
· For the Thorobreds, a win would give them their first conference victory of the season.
THE SERIES HISTORY: The series between FVSU and KSU dates back to 1970. This is the 25th meeting between the teams and FVU leads the series 18-6-0.
LAST MEETING: FVSU 14, KSU 12
Wildcats Saddle Thorobreds
By: FVSU Office of Sports Information
In the week leading up to this weekend's conference match- up between the Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) and the Thorobreds of Kentucky State University (KSU), Wildcats Head Coach Donald Pittman continually repeated that the Thorobreds are a much better team than their 3-5 record indicates. After a 14-12 win against the Thorobreds on Saturday that wasn't decided until the game's last play, maybe now more people will start to listen to Pittman.
“We knew we'd have to struggle to win,” said Pittman. And struggle they did! The Wildcats only managed 199 yards of total offense in the game. That was their lowest output this season. In addition, while the Wildcats held the Thorobreds to 168 yards of offense, the fact that KSU ran almost twice as many plays and held the ball 11 minutes more than the Wildcats restricted FVSU from establishing a consistent offensive rhythm.
With an injury sidelining FVSU starting quarterback Eugene Smith, sophomore Nicholas Stephens provided a respectable replacement by completing six of 12 passes for 120 yards. The Wildcats also utilized junior running back Tony Reid at the quarterback position throughout the game. Total yardage aside, the Stephens/Reid combination generated enough points for the Wildcat win.
Both Wildcat touchdowns came in the first half of play. With 7:43 remaining in the first quarter, FVSU scored first on an Aaron Courtney three yard run. The run capped a three play, 29 yard drive. After the touchdown, Justin Rosenbaum converted the extra point to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead.
In the second quarter, FVSU scored its final points of the contest. After a four play, 79 yard drive, Tony Reid scored from one yard away. The Rosenbaum extra point pushed the Wildcat lead to 14-0.
Just before halftime, the Thorobreds cut into the Wildcat lead when quarterback Jerrel Noland scored on a one yard touchdown run. The score came after a nine play, 36 yard drive. The Thorobreds missed the extra point but only trailed 14-6.
With just seconds to remaining in the game, the Thorobreds had a chance to take the game into overtime. After an eight play drive of 45 yards, KSU scored a touchdown with no time remaining on the game clock. Trailing by two points, the only option available to the Thorobreds to keep the game alive was to try a two point conversion. Reserve quarterback Martez James tried to run it in for the conversion but was stopped short of the goal line by the FVSU defense.
According to Pittman, “It was a very close call but a win is a win.”
THE COACHING MATCH -UP: Fort Valley State University Head Coach Donald Pittman is in his third season at FVSU. The Wildcats are 16-11 under Pittman and last year's team represented the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) in the Pioneer Bowl.
KSU Head Coach Wayne Dickens is in his second season. He previously served as Thorobreds wide receiver coach and the program's interim head coach in 2009.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WILDCATS?: Interviews with the Head Football Coach Donald Pittman and key players can be arranged through the Office of Sports Information by calling (478) 825-6437.
For the latest on Fort Valley State University Athletics visit the website at http://www.fvsusports.com. or contact the FVSU Office of Sports Information at (478)-825-6437 or by e-mail at wardc@fvsu.edu.
WHAT'S NEXT: The Wildcats will travel to Daytona Beach, Florida for a match up with the Wildcats of Bethune Cookman University. In a second meeting with an FCS team this season, FVSU will tangle with Bethune Cookman at 4 p.m. in Municipal Stadium.
KSU is on the road as well when they travel to Fairfield, AL for a conference match up with the Golden Bears of Miles College.
GAME TICKET INFORMATION: For ticket information for FVSU Football, please visit www.wildcatticketoffice.com. or call the FVSU Cashier's Office at 478-825-6433.
