BIRMINGHAM, AL (September 4, 2016) – A tale of two half's for Fort Valley State as they play in their first Labor Day Golden Classic game in Birmingham, Alabama (Legion Field) with the first half going the Wildcats and the second to Miles. Fort Valley State dropped the non-conference decision 21-34 before 12,438 fans.
 
FVSU rushed for 61 total yards to Miles 229 yards on the ground and 248 passing yards to Miles 231. The Wildcats 309 yards in total offensive yards, while Miles put up 460. FVSU had three turnovers and penalties 107-yard for the game. Senior running back Travis Richmond managed just 36-yards on the ground, freshman quarterback Demontay Jones completed 20-of-26 passes for 248-yards and two touchdowns, while senior wide receiver Otis Brown had six catches for 72-yards and two touchdowns in his first game at wide receiver for the Wildcats.
 
Defensively, senior defensive lineman Jason Johnson and sophomore defensive lineman Larry Matthews led the Wildcats with seven tackles each. Johnson had one tackle-for-loss and one interception for a 20-yard return and Matthews one and a half tackle-for-loss, while sophomore defensive back Kentron James had six tackles. Senior defensive back Brian Walker and sophomore defensive back Karonte Donaldson grabbed one interception apiece, with Walker returning his back 91-yards for the touchdown.       
 
With 9:51 remaining in the first quarter, Walker picked off Miles quarterback David Whipple and returned the interception 91-yards for the games first score. Juan Serna kick attempt good (FVSU 7 – MC 0).
 
FVSU Johnson collected the Wildcats second interception and returned it 23-yards to the Miles 3-yard line. On the very next play quarterback Jones completed a 3-yard touchdown pass to Brown. Juan Serna Kick attempt good (FVSU 14 – MC 0)
 
Second quarter with 8:04 left, Jones completed his second touchdown pass to Brown from 12-yards out. Juan Serna kick attempt good (FVSU 21 – MC 0).
Miles kicker Nick Christiansen kicked a 27-yard field goal with 2:09 left to halftime to get Miles  on the board. (FVSU 21 – MC 3)
 
The second half was all Miles, after two plays Wildcats running back Richmond fumbled at the MC42, recovered by Miles Emmanuel  Ray at the MC42. Six plays, 58 yards later Whipple rushed 4-yards for the touchdown. Christiansen kick attempt good (FVSU 21 – MC 10).
 
After, Serna's 30-yard punt, Whipple completed a 49-yards touchdown pass to Trey Smith with 11:46 left in the third quarter. Christiansen kick attempt good (FVSU 21 – MC 17).
 
With 6:01 in the third quarter, FVSU kicker Serna punted went 43-yards to MC12. Eight plays later Whipple had a 16-yard touchdown run and Miles had their first lead. Christiansen kick attempt good (MC 24 - FVSU 21).
 
At the 14:36 mark fourth quarter, FVSU Jones fumbled the ball at FVSU30, ball recovered by Miles Ray at FVSU30 and returned for a touchdown. Christiansen kick attempt good (MC 31 – FVSU 21).
 
Christiansen completed the scoring with a 33-yard field goal with 10:38 left in game (MC 34 – FVSU 21).
 
FVSU next game is on the road in Jackson, TN on September 10, as they play conference foe Lane College in a 2 pm (CST) match-up.