JACKSON, TN (September 10, 2016) – The Wildcats of Fort Valley State went into the Dragons den looking for a win, but got a great defense that kept Lane College scoreless for three and a half quarters. Fort Valley State will have to wait another week for a victory as Lane College (2-0; 1-0) defeated the Wildcats (0-2; 0-1) 10-7 at Lane Field in Jackson, Tennessee.
 
This was a defensive game on both sides of the ball, as Lane quarterback Marcus Reynolds threw his first interception of the game to FVSU defensive back Aaron Dore with 2:14 left in the first quarter. Then, in the third quarter with 12:51 remaining, FVSU defensive back Demonte Prather picked off Reynolds for a second time. One play later running back Chauncey Jackson fumble and Lane Javonte' Kelly recovered the ball and returned it 24-yards to the FVSU19. But, they shot themselves in the foot with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty to move the ball back to FVSU33.
 
With 5:44 to go in the third quarter, fourth down and six yards for a first down, coach Porter elected to kick the 28-yard field goal which was good. Lane was offside; FVSU took the penalty and went for the half yard. Lane stopped Makell Yancie for no gain at the LANE7, taking over on downs (FVSU 0 – LANE 0).
 
Fourth quarter, Domontay Jones connected on a 73-yard pass for the touchdown to Orenzo Smith on a 3 play, 79-yard drive with 14:46 left, Serna's kick attempt good (FVSU 7 – LC 0).
 
Lane had a fourth and two, ball on FVSU19; they decided to go for the first. Reynolds pass attempt was incomplete, but the Wildcats were offside giving Lane a first down at FVSU14. Four plays later, Lane's kicker Raul Martinez kicked a 31-yard field goal with 6:58 remaining (FVSU 7 – Lane 3).
 
Martinez kickoff went to the FVSU9; the Wildcats were hit with a pass interference call, moving the ball to the FVSU4. Then on fourth and 11 yards, Serna punted to the FVSU48, Lane's Jamion Dunning returned the ball 31-yards to FVSU17 and another Wildcat personal foul penalty, moving the ball to FVSU12 with 5:25 on the clock. Three plays later, Reynolds connected on an 8-yard touchdown pass to Omari Hampton, Martinez kick attempt good (Lane 10 – FVSU 7).
 
For the game, FVSU rushed for 142 total yards to Lane 143, FVSU passed for 138 total yards to Lane 105, while out gaining the Dragons in total offensive yards 280 to 248. The Wildcats were penalties 13 times for 116-yards and Lane 14 times for 160-yards.
 
Chauncey Jackson led the Wildcats with 57-yards in rushing, with Jones added 54-yards. Jones completed 7-of-23 passes for 138 yards and one touchdown. Jamari Clark and Tevish Clark grabbed two catches each for 27-yards and 14-yards, while Smith collected one pass for 73-yards, one touchdown. Smith had the winning touchdown of 49-yards call back with 2:27 left on a holding call.
 
Defensively, senior linebacker Ryan Bowman and senior defensive back Demonta Prather led the Wildcats with eight tackles apiece. Bowman added one tackle-of-loss and a quarterback hurry, while Prather had an interception.
 
Next game: The Wildcats will host the Panthers of Clark Atlanta University on Saturday, September 17 at 6 p.m.