ATLANTA, GA (October 29, 2016) – Fort Valley State University fighting for a chance to meet Albany State University head-to-head for the SIAC Eastern Division Title with the 24-16 victory over the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College Saturday afternoon at B. T. Harvey Stadium. Both teams had to win out Saturday in order for this to happen and Albany State rolled over Benedict.
 
FVSU improved its overall record to 3-6, 3-3 in conference play and 2-1 in division play, while Albany State's record is 5-3, 3-1 in the SIAC and 3-0 in division.
 
"We challenged our kids to approach the game as if it was a playoff game and they responded. We had a great week of practice and it showed in the game," said Kevin Porter, head coach. "Our approach will be much the same this week. Albany State is playing extremely well right now and we have to get to work this week and be prepared for another game that carries a lot of weight. I am proud of our kids and staff. They have fought through some tough circumstances yet have continued to play hard and buy into the program and culture.,"
 
The Wildcats rushed for 137 yards, while holding Morehouse to 30 yards on the ground, 166 passing yards to the Tigers 193 and 303 total yards of offense to 223 for Morehouse. Each team gave up one fumble and FVSU led in time of possession 31:26 minutes to Morehouse 28:34.
 
Senior quarterback Otis Brown completed 12-of-23 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns, while leading the Wildcats in rushing with 58 yards and one touchdown on eight attempts. Freshman running back Jamari Clark followed with 53 yards and junior running back Chauncey Jackson added 33 yards.
 
Freshman wide receiver Orenzo Smith led team with three catches for 50 yards; sophomore wide receiver Christopher Weems had 48 yards on three catches and two touchdowns. Freshman wide receiver Jeffery Mack and senior running back Travis Richmond had 32 and 21 yards apiece, junior wide receiver Bodarius Johnson added 11 yards.

Defensively, sophomore defensive back Kentron James led the Wildcats with eight tackles (six solos), one interception (four yards) and one pass break-up and senior defensive lineman Samuel Goode tacked on seven tackles (three solos) and one tackle-for-losses. Freshman defensive back Camron Young had seven tackles and senior linebacker Ryan Bowman collected five tackles, a half sack (three yards), one tackle-for losses and one quarterback hurry.
 
The Maroon Tigers scored first on an Alexis Gonzalez 43-yard field goal, (MHC 3 – FVSU 0).
 
At the 5:35 mark, Brown completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Weems to complete a six play, 61 yard drive. Brown added an eight yard run for the second score with 14:41 remaining in the second quarter, Juan Serna kick attempts was good  (FVSU 14 – MHC 3).
 
Serna's 33 yard field goal finished a 12 play, 58 yard drive just before halftime, (FVSU 17 – MHC 3).
 
Morehouse added a touchdown in the third quarter to close the gap with :56 second left, MHC 10 – FVSU 17).
 
Brown's 19 yard touchdown pass to Weems in the fourth quarter completed the Wildcat scoring while completing a four play, 40 yard drive with 14:12 on the clock, Serna' kick attempt was good, (FVSU 24 – MHC 10).
 
Kivon Taylor two yard pass to Lake McGuffie completed Morehouse scoring with 4:13 left in the game, Gonzalez point after attempt failed, (MHC 16 – FVSU 24).
 
Next week: FVSU will travel to Columbus, GA to play Albany State University and the SIAC Eastern Division Title in the 27^th Annual Fountain City Classic on Saturday, November 5 at A. J. McClung Memorial Stadium at 2 pm. The winner will face off with Kentucky State University for the SIAC Championship in Montgomery, AL on Saturday, November 12^th at 7 pm (CST).