The Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) took another step toward the 2012 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Football Championship after defeating the Tiger of Benedict College 33-10 in Wildcat Stadium on Saturday night (Sept. 22^nd).
 
The Wildcats, now 3-1, pummeled the Tigers (0-4) marks their second consecutive victory against an SIAC rival.  In the past two games FVSU has held its opponents to an average of just 6.5 points per game.
 
“Anytime you win it feels good. Our defense played great and now we are getting ready for a win next week,” said FVSU Head Coach Donald Pittman.
 
 The Wildcats scored on their first possession of game when placekicker Justin Rosenbaum ended a 10-play, 30-yard drive with a 47-yard field goal.
 
The 3-0 Wildcat lead was extended on the Tigers first offensive possession when linebacker Donta Warren forced a fumble and FVSU took over at Benedict's 18-yard line. Four plays later, quarterback Antonio Henton connected with wide receiver Eric McCree on a 13-yard touchdown pass.  Rosenbaum's extra point attempt was good and the Wildcats led 10-0.
 
With 43 seconds left in the first quarter FVSU's Chris Slaughter and Henton teamed up on a nine-yard touchdown pass to push the score to 17-0. Former Peach County High School products Slaughter and Henton connected once again for another touchdown with 7:59 left to play in the half. The extra point was missed but FVSU's defense held strong until halftime to maintain a 23-0 lead.
 
After an early third quarter FVSU drive stalled, SIAC Special Teams Player of the Week Justin Rosenbaum boomed a 57-yard punt which was fumbled by Benedict's Emanuel Houston at the 19-yard line.  Calvin Jackson made the recovery for the Wildcats.  Three plays later, freshman running back Germaine Tait scored on a three-yard run. With the converted extra point attempt by Rosenbaum, the Wildcats pushed their lead to 30-0.
 
The Tigers tried to claw their way back in the fourth quarter scoring 10 unanswered points on a 23-yard field goal to begin the fourth quarter and a touchdown with 8:56 left to play in the game. However kicker Justin Rosenbaum ended the Tiger's chances of a comeback by drilling a 38-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter.
 
Rosenbaum's performance could earn him another SIAC Player of the Week honor; the Owosso, MI native recorded five touchbacks and averaged 42.7 yards per punt. Quarterback Antonio Henton finished the day with 183 yards passing and three touchdowns. Running back Germaine Tait carried the ball eight times and averaged 5.4 yards per carry. FVSU's defense sacked the opposing quarterback four times and safety Dajuan Williams lead the team in tackles with eight.
 
The Wildcats will try look to extend their conference winning streak to three in a row when they meet the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee University on Saturday, Sept. 29^th at 1 p.m. in Abbott Stadium on the Tuskegee campus.