FORT VALLEY, GA – The Fort Valley State University Wildcats football team cracked the win column with a conference win over the Tigers of Benedict College 31-28 in double overtime action on Saturday, September 23 at Wildcat Stadium.
 
The Wildcats improved their overall record to 1-2 and 1-0 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), while Benedict falls to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play. 
 
FVSU dotted the scoreboard with 12:34 left in the second quarter as Slade Jarman completed a 53-yard pass to Jeffery Mack over the middle for a touchdown, Juan Serna kick was good (7-0). Jarman completed another 53-yard pass to Jeremy Glinton to move the ball to the Wildcats 13. Serna attempted a 34-yard field goal attempt but it was blocked with 7:07 left. Glinton once again caught a 45-yard pass from Jarman for the teams second touchdown with 4:52 remaining while faking out two defenders, Serna's kick was good (14-0).
 
The Tigers' KaDarius Garrett fumbled the ball on the Wildcats 38 and FVSU's Devonte' West recovered at the 38. The play ended up resulting in the Wildcats third touchdown from Jarman to Tajee Steele from 22-yards away, Serna's kick was good (21-0).
 
Second half posed a different story for FVSU, as the Tigers came out on fire and moved the ball down the field from their own 18-yardline and a Trini Charlton 49-yard touchdown run, Tony Mimbs kick was good (21-7). Next possession the Tigers tried a fake punt but was stopped by the Wildcats. FVSU took over on downs at the FVSU 40. FVSU was not able to convert and turned the ball over on downs with 2:47 to go. 
 
At the 13:37 mark in the fourth quarter, Benedict's Edward Kirkland intercepted Wildcats quarterback Jarman at the Tigers 30, stopping FVSU's drive. Dominique Harris then completed a 4-yard pass to Myquerious McGrier for the touchdown with 9:58 left, Mimbs kick was good (21-14).
 
Following an FVSU four and out, Benedict took over and drove the ball down field for a Harris 4-yard run to tie the game at 21-21 with 5:17 remaining.
 
Heading to overtime, FVSU won the toss and elected to go on defense, it did not take the Tigers long as they scored on two plays for the 28-21 lead.
 
Quarterback Jarman carried the ball from the 25-yardline to the 9 that set them up for a third and goal. The very next play Jarman tied the game with a 9-yard pass to Lorenzo Smothers, Serna kick was good (28-28).
 
With fourth and 20 in the second overtime, kicker Serna punched across the winning field goal from 32-yards out for the 31-28 victory. Benedict's final possession quarterback Harris fumbled the ball, Wildcats recovered to end the game.
 
For the game, the Wildcats out gained Benedict in total offense with 461-yards to 365-yards, with 358 of those yards coming through the air.
Myles Graham led the Wildcats in rushing with 53-yards, Slade Jarman completed 22-of-34 passes for 358-yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Lorenzo Smothers had 9 catches for 77-yards, and   one touchdown. Jeffery Mack had three catches for 80-yards and one touchdown, while Jeremy Glinton had two catches for 98-yards, one touchdown. Tajee Steele caught two passes for 50-yards and a touchdown.

Punter Juan Serna broke FVSU's punting record with an 86-yard punt in the first quarter. The ball was on FVSU's 12-yardline and he kicked the ball to Benedict's 2.

Defensively, Kentron James led the Wildcats with 11 tackles and one pass breakup followed by Nicco Whigham's 7 tackles, one sack and one pass break up.
 
FVSU will be on the road next week as they travel to Baton Rouge, LA to take on Southern University in a 6 p.m. game.