SAVANNAH, GA (September 14, 2013) – Fort Valley State University Wildcats entered Ted Wright Stadium on Saturday afternoon to face the Tigers of Savannah State University looking for their first win. It was not to be as the Wildcats suffered its second tough loss falling to SSU 27-20, in front of 3,220 fans.

The Tigers snapped a two game losing streak with their first win over FVSU since 2000.

The Wildcats fall to 0-2 overall and Tigers improve to 1-2 on the season.

The Wildcats came out hot drawing first blood as senior quarterback Eugene Smith (Pensacola, FL) scored from 4-yards out to finish a 9 play 55-yard drive with 5:03 left in the first quarter. FVSU's junior running back Michael Bellamy (Port Charlotte, FL) rushed twice for 19-yards, sophomore tight end Donte' Warren (Las Vegas, NV) had two catches for 46-yards, while Smith completed 7-of-10 passes for 100-yards in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Smith added another six points on a 16-yard run up the middle to cap off an 8 play 67-yard drive with 9:40 left for a 13-0 lead.

Savannah State scored it's first points on a 92-yard kickoff return by Lereginald Veals at the 9:27 mark, with Barron's PAT failing for a 13-6 score. SSU's Simon Heyward scored on a 36-yard pass from Antonio Bostick and Barron PAT good to tie the game 13-13.

At halftime, the Wildcats had gained 258 total yards of offense to SSU's 62. FVSU's freshman quarterback/running back Malcolm Eady (Swainsboro, GA) rushed for 76-yards, while Smith passed for 124. FVSU out gained SSU on the ground 134-to-15 in yardage off 28 plays to 8.

In the third quarter with 7:55 remaining, Warren received a 22-yard pass from Smith for a touchdown capping off a 9 play 85-yard drive, freshman kicker Chris Ward (Macon, GA) PAT was good for a 20-13 score.

Fourth quarter SSU's Cantrell Frazier grabbed an 11-yard pass from Bostick to tie the game at 20-20 with 13:25 left.

After, a John Wilson interception from Smith of FVSU, at the FVSU-48 and Wilson return of 27-yards to FVSU-21. A pass interference penalty was called on the Wildcats moving the ball to SSU's one yard line, Veals 1-yard run up the middle and Barron PAT good put the Tigers up for good at 27-20.

FVSU finished with a total of 23 first downs to SSU's 14, 195 rushing yards to SSU's 17, 230 passing yards to 226 for SSU and 425 total offensive yards to SSU's 243. The Wildcats had 22 penalties for 194 yards, while SSU had 12 penalties for 114 yards, and time of possession went the Wildcats way for 49:43 minutes to 25:17 for the Tigers.

Eady led the Wildcats in rushing with 80-yards on 15 carries, Smith completed 20-33 passes for 230-yards and 3 interceptions, freshman wide receiver De'Angelo Smith (Camden County, GA) crabbed 6 balls for 60-yards, Warren had 4 catches for 80-yards and senior defensive back Thomas Wolfe III (Marietta, GA) had 2 interceptions.

Next game for FVSU is a conference game with the Panthers of Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA at 3 pm in Panther Stadium. Savannah State travels to Miami, FL to take on the University of Miami.