Box Score SAVANNAH, GA (September 13, 2014) – The Fort Valley State University Wildcats had an outstanding performance by the defense and a strong passing game that led FVSU to a 42-28 win over Division I FCS opponent Savannah State University, Saturday at Ted Wright Stadium in Savannah, GA.
 
The victory marks the 35th win over Division I Savannah State in 50 outings and the Tigers having won 12 of those, with 3 ties since the series started in 1946. The Wildcats have won 14 of the last 15 games played, with the Tigers breaking a 13 game win streak last year with a 27-20 win.
 
"This is a big win for our program and anytime you can beat a Division I program, especially when they have 36 more scholarships, is a great accomplishment, " said Coach Donald Pittman. "We came to win and we did a great job. I am proud of the way the team played. Now, we have to return home, get back to work on tomorrow and prepare for next Saturday."
 
Fort Valley State, 1-1 on the season, totaled 389 yards of offense including 243 yards passing and 146 rushing yards, with a team high four interceptions recorded by the defense.
 
The Wildcats defense was strong in their performance, limiting the Tigers to 205 yards of offense and allowing only 60 yards on the ground, while recording five quarterback sacks. 
 
FVSU drew first blood on the opening possession with Juan Serna kickoff going 60-yards to SSU 5-yard line, Cantrell Frazier returned the ball 11-yards, FVSU Kentorius Jackson forced and recovered a fumble at the SSU 15-yard line. Jamar Smith then scored the Wildcats first points off a 15-yard run with 14:33 left in the first quarter.
 
Savannah State tied the game at 7-7 on Frazier 9-yard run to cap off a 10 play, 75-yard drive with 10:43 on the clock.
 
FVSU second score came on Malcolm Eady's pass completion to Drelon Freeman of 41-yards to the SSU 5, and then Eady's 2-yard rush for the touchdown to complete a five play, 63-yard drive and 4:21 left in the first quarter.
 
In the second quarter with 11:49 on the clock, SSU's Tino Smith pass was intercepted by Jamar Gilyard at the FVSU 21 and returned 79-yards for the touchdown and a 21-7 lead.
 
SSU went on a six play, 31-yard drive with 6:10 left, as Ker-Sean Wilson completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Frazier to close the gap 21-14.
 
The final score of the half came when Malcolm Eady was sack by Brandon Bailey and Eady fumbled and recovered by SSU Justin Dixon at the FVSU 7, Dixon picked the ball up and scored for a 21-21 tie at the half.
 
In the first half, Penalties and fumbles plagued the Wildcats as the team picked up five penalties for 61-yards and lost 3-of-4 fumbles.
 
The team came out of the locker room fired up in the third quarter as backup quarterback Otis Brown led the Wildcats down the field and Jalen White rushed 3-yards for a touchdown to complete a 10 play, 67-yard drive with 10:41 remaining on the clock and the lead 28-21.
 
On the very next drive, SSU Wayne Johnson returned the kickoff 58-yards to the FVSU 34, but 5-plays later FVSU Karonte Donald intercepted Ker-Sean Wilson pass in the end-zone for a touchback. Brown then completed an 80-yard touchdown pass to Drelon Freeman for a 35-21 lead with 7:43 left in the third quarter.
 
Eady started the fourth quarter in the backfield, as his 16-yard run setup FVSU' s final score at the SSU 12, Brown completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Freeman with 8:52 for a 42-21 score.
 
Jeremiah Harris scored SSU final score with a 26-yard touchdown reception from Wilson with 5:35 remaining.  
 
Brown had 5 completions on 12 attempts and 1 interception on the afternoon for 178-yards to go along with two touchdowns, and Eady was 6-of-12 for 62-yards and rushed for another 15-yards.
 
White and Smith rushed for 68 and 29 yards and Cherry added 22-yards on the ground. Freeman led the Wildcats with five catches for 204 yards and 31-yards on punt returns and 24-yards on kickoff.
 
Defensively, LeRon Furr led the Wildcats with 10 tackles (6 solo), one sack for an 8-yard loss and two tackles-for-losses, while Stefon Harper added eight tackles (4 solo) and a half tackle-of-losses. Brian Walker, Michael Lee and Roosevelt White chipped in four tackles each.
 
FVSU return home for the start of conference play as they host the Panthers of Clark Atlanta University on Saturday, September 20 at 6 p.m.
 
All home games may be seen via Live Stats by visiting www.fvsusports..com.