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Wildcats Football Aims for Second Win Sunday, Face Tigers

9/20/2018 5:05:00 PM

By: Chris Myers
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Completing their four-game season-opening road swing, the Wildcats see another tough matchup this Sunday. Fort Valley State makes a special Sunday afternoon appearance when it travels to Columbia, S.C., to face Benedict College in the Palmetto Classic.
 
After picking up their first win of the year last weekend, the Wildcats take on the Tigers in a 4:30 p.m. kick-off at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.
 
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​​​​​​​Seek Second Victory
 
Trailing for the majority of the night, Fort Valley State QB Slade Jarman found TE Jaylen Lowder from six yards away for the needed points in a 21-19 victory over Miles College. The Wildcats defense led by Niykiem Floyd sacked the home quarterback on each of the final two plays to end the game.
 
FVSU improved to 1-2 after playing a brutal opening two opponents in FCS Florida A&M and No. 16 Valdosta State.
 
Return to SIAC Action, Open East Play
 
With the opening win in their pockets, the Wildcats face their first Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference East Division opponent. FVSU (1-0) trails Morehouse College (2-0), which has defeated both Lane and Central State in its two crossover matchups.
 
Benedict College (0-0) has Fort Valley State as its first SIAC contest of the 2018 season.
 
Try for 2nd Series Win in a Row, Answer Last Trip to Columbia
 
Fort Valley State has seen success in its series against Benedict College in the last decade. The 2016 SIAC champions have compiled an 8-2 mark in the last 10 contests of the series, including a six-game win streak from 2010 to 2015.

Last September 23, it took an extra pair of overtime possessions to decide the 2017 outcome. Tied at 28 in double overtime, FVSU booted a 33-yard field goal and then Niykiem Floyd hit the Benedict ball carrier causing him to fumble and then the Wildcat defensive lineman recovery the loose ball to seal the 31-28 win.

The Tigers, though, have found their own success against the Wildcats at Johnson Stadium. Benedict doubled up Fort Valley State, 28-14, last time in Columbia (Sept. 24, 2016) two years ago. It was the lowest Wildcat point total in the last 10 meetings and lone time the Georgia team had not scored 31-plus tallies since the 2009 matchup, which was also a loss 28-20 in South Carolina.

The last FVSU victory in Columbia came in 2014 in a 33-30 victory. Three of the last five contests have been decided by five points or less.

Tigers Return to Play

Due to the presence and effects of Hurricane Florence, Benedict saw its game at Fayetteville State be one of the cancellation game victims. Thus, the Tigers have not played since a convincing 42-14 win at Johnson C. Smith back on Sept. 8 in Fayetteville, N.C.

The Benedict victory over J.C. Smith evened its season mark to 1-1 after it dropped a 33-14 opening decision to Florida Tech.

Wildcats Try to Build on Rushing Effort

After not gaining a positive against either Florida A&M or Valdosta State, Fort Valley State's running game had it best outing of the season at Miles College. With 40 times carrying the pigskin, the Wildcat offensive line helped the runners amass 146 net yards for a 3.7-yard per carry average.

Slotback Lorenzo Smothers ran seven times around end for 57 yards, including a 6-yard scoring run. Jamari Clark added 32 yards and Willie Jordan 20 yards on a combined 20 attempts.

Jarman Efficient in Outing

In a solid effort, quarterback Slade Jarman led an efficient FVSU passing game at Miles. The senior connected on 21 of 31 pass attempts for 181 yards with a pair of touchdowns. Jarman also rushed for another 14 yards on 10 carries.

Jarman hit eight Wildcat receivers with his 21 completions. Smothers pulled in six of those for 34 yards, while AJ Shipman added 10 yards on five catches.

The two FVSU tight ends, Jhi'Marre Brown and Lowder, had three grabs for 38 yards, including Lowder's game-winner with 21.9 seconds left in the game.

Young and Company on Defense

Safety Camron Young paces the FVSU defense. The junior defensive back has recorded 20 tackles with one pass breakup.

Linebacker Andrew Robinson and defensive back Zach Anderson have 13 and 12 tackles to their credit along with two and 2.5 tackles for loss.

Defensive end Voris Bryant led the Wildcat unit with six stops and 1.5 tackles for loss in the win at Miles. Bryant has 11 tackles, four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Tigers Potent Attack

After their first two 2018 contests, Benedict College has averaged 414.0 yards of total offense. Despite an extra 120 yards per contest through the air, the Tigers have a balanced attack.
On the ground, Benedict has three running backs – Raheem Jennings, Phillip Brown and Trini Charlton, who have over 72-yards apiece.

Quarterback Dominique Harris has five scoring strikes to his credit of his 28 completions on 47 attempts for 383 yards. Harris has five targets with 55 or more yards, including Drelon Freeman (4 for 163 yards and 2 TDs) and Danye Washington (6 for 85 yards).

Husser Tops Benedict Defense

With two games in the books, Shaquille Husser leads the Benedict defense with nine stops and 2.5 tackles for loss. Robert Cummings boasts an interception and Amari Andrews a pair of tackles for loss.

Four-Game Homestand Awaits

Following this weekend, Fort Valley State opens its series of a four-game homestand awaits starting Saturday, Sept. 29. The Wildcats open with Virginia University Lynchburg in a 6 p.m. kick-off.
 
 
 
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