Wildcats outdistanced by the Thorobreds, 25-24
By: FVSU Office of Sports Information
It was homecoming for the Thorobreds of Kentucky State University (KSU) on Saturday (Oct. 8th) as they hosted the Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) at Alumni Stadium in Frankfort, KY. KSU had not won a homecoming game since 2007. That streak ended on Saturday with a 25-24 win over the Wildcats.
The loss by the Wildcats tosses even more charcoal on a fire which threatens to consume the 2011 season. Now with an overall record of 1-5 and a conference mark of 1-3, FVSU is getting perilously close to that point in season in which the only thing left to play for is pride. While the loss to KSU may not necessarily impact the Wildcat's chances for the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) eastern divisional title, with only two intra-division games left, the blemish leaves little margin for error in the remaining schedule.
After DeMario Barber returned a KSU punt to the Thorobred's 19 yard line, it took the Wildcats the just three plays to score the game's first touchdown. The three yard touchdown run came by Travis Richmond with 12:14 left in the first quarter. Justin Rosenbaum's extra point gave the Wildcats a 7-0 lead
The FVSU score was answered by KSU with 5:12 left in the first quarter when Jacquis Lockett returned the favor with a 44 yard touchdown run. A Cade Berryman extra point kick tied the game at 7-7.
However, a seven play, 63 yard drive by the Wildcats with 2:14 left in the quarter ended with a 21-yard touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Jahyrie Harris to wide receiver Christopher Slaughter. After Rosenbaum's extra point kick, the Wildcats regained the lead, 14-7.
That lead grew to 14 points just before halftime when Harris scored on a one-yard touchdown run which capped a short, seven-play, 36 yard drive by the Wildcats. The drive was set up by a 17 yard punt return by Barber. Rosenbaum converted the extra point to extend the Wildcat lead to 21-7 at halftime.
The score stayed that way until late in the third quarter. KSU mounted a 13 play, 62 yard drive which consumed 6:06 on the clock and ended on a one-yard touchdown run by quarterback Martez James with just 41 seconds left in the quarter. Although FVSU's Ricky Johnson blocked the extra point attempt, the Thorobreds reduced the Wildcats lead to 21-13.
FVSU got three of those points back with 11:52 left in the fourth quarter on a 25-yard field goal by Rosenbaum. Now leading 24 to 13, all the Wildcats needed to do was play ball-control offense and stop the Thorobreds from adding any additional scores to secure the win. It was a task that FVSU was unable to accomplish.
A sputtering offense combined with a fatigued and porous defense by the Wildcats allowed the Thorobreds to dominate fourth quarter play. This command was highlighted by two KSU drives which sealed the fate of the Wildcats. The first was an eight play, 92 yard effort which concluded with a 49 yard touchdown run by Lockett. The second was a 10 play, 80 yard drive culminated with a 17-yard touchdown run by James. Combined, the two touchdowns were enough to give the Thorobreds a come-from-behind win and a celebration of their first homecoming win since 2007.
FVSU's Harris finished the game with eight completions on 16 attempts for 118 yards and one touchdown pass. Slaughter had five receptions totaling 72 yards and was on the receiving end of the Harris touchdown pass. Barber electrified the crowd with four punt returns for 81 yards; one of which was returned 39 yards.
The Wildcats are back in action next Saturday (October 15th) in Daytona Beach, Florida when they meet Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opponent, the Wildcats of Bethune Cookman University. Broadcast coverage of the game can be heard live on the Wildcats Sports Network (Radio: WFVS LP 104.3 FM in Fort Valley, GA. Internet: www.fvsu.edu.). Kick-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. (EST).
-Wildcats Athletics-
