Wildcats Aim to Continue Success Over Maroon Tigers

10/15/2021 12:10:00 AM

By: Chris Myers

FORT VALLEY, Ga. – The Wildcats make the short trip to Atlanta ready to add another 'W' in their current three-game run. Fort Valley State aims to continue its gridiron success over Morehouse College on Saturday afternoon.
      Alike it was for FVSU early this season, Morehouse is installing a field turf playing surface to its stadium. With the work not done to this point, the Wildcats-Maroon Tigers game will be moved a couple blocks away to Clark Atlanta's Panther Stadium in the 2 p.m. kick-off.
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FVSU at Morehouse College
Sat., Oct. 16, 2 p.m.
CAU Panther Stadium
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FVSU Looks for Fourth Victory in a Row
     As a pair of tough outcomes in Week 2 and 3, FVSU has rediscovered the recipe for success and rattled off three-straight wins the last trio of contests.
      The Wildcats went two games over the .500 mark last week after its going away, 35-14, first game at the friendly confines of Wildcat Stadium over Central State. The home win followed back-to-back road wins over Allen University (56-20) and Benedict College (24-14) the previous two contest.
      FVSU's foe, Morehouse College put its first win to the 2021 win-loss record last Saturday over Tuskegee, 31-15, in Birmingham, Ala.

Wildcats Leads Series vs. Maroon Tigers
     For the 47^th time, FVSU meets Morehouse on the football field. The Wildcats have posted 34 victories in the first 46 meetings for a .739 winning percentage. FVSU, in fact, has claimed wins in each of the last five contests and seven of the previous eight games between the SIAC members. Morehouse's last win came in 2014 via a 24-21 final tally.
      Last 10 Scores:
      2019 – FVSU 37, MHC 21
      2018 – FVSU 27, MHC 22
      2017 – FVSU 52, MHC 7
      2016 – FVSU 24, MHC 16
      2015 – FVSU 35, MHC 3
      2014 – MHC 24, FVSU 21
      2013 – FVSU 46, MHC 19
      2012 – FVSU 26, MHC 19
      2011 – MHC 49, FVSU 12
      2010 – MHC 47, FVSU 34

Wildcats Win Two Wild Games in Last Two vs. Maroon Tigers
     In the 2018 and 2019 series meetings, the Wildcats claimed wins in two wild games with one at each location.
      After leading the entire game in Atlanta, FVSU fell behind Morehouse with 3:32 left in the game, 22-21. The Maroon Tigers lead, though, only lasted 16 seconds as the Wildcats' Lorenzo Smothers took the ensuing kick-off 96 yards for the game-winning touchdown and 27-22 final score.
      In the last meeting in Fort Valley on Oct. 19, 2019, FVSU went out to a 20-0 lead on Morehouse on a wet field. The Wildcats held a 23-6 halftime advantage and 37-14 lead after 45 minutes as the rain increased as the game progressed. Following an over hour-and-a-half weather delay, FVSU completed the 37-21 win on a field where large parts were "lakes of water."

Wildcats Post Win on Inaugural Game on New Wildcat Stadium Turf
     For the first time, the Wildcats played their first game on the new blue-and-gold field turf of Wildcat Stadium last weekend. FVSU can say it is now 1-0 on the new field after a 35-14 win over visiting Central State.
     Emanuel Wilson rushed in for the opening score from nine yards midway through the first quarter of his game-best 164-yard afternoon. Tyrell Jackson fired scoring passes to Erron Price (56 yards) and a pair to Tajee Steele of six and 65 yards over the final 19:45 of the first half and a 28-0 lead by the half the Wildcats enjoyed.
     Central State did cut the margin in half, 28-14, with two scores and the second coming with 5:28 left in the contest. FVSU, though, did not blink and ran off a 5:04 drive culminating in a four-yard Marlon Fleming scoring burst to cap the victorious day on the first game played on the new field turf surface.
     The Wildcats offensive unit showcased a balanced attack with 455 yards of total offense with 277 through the air and 178 on the ground. Wilson accounted for 164 yards of that rushing total on 27 totes and the nine-yard touchdown. Jackson completed 13 of 22 passes for his 277 yards and three scores. Price and Steele both pulled in three receptions for 94 and 80 yards and three combined scores. Cordell Pimienta added four catches for 60 yards.
     The top-rated SIAC rushing defense showed up on Saturday. FVSU held Central State to only seven net yards on 32 carries with 12 of the rushes resulting in tackles behind the line of scrimmage. The Marauders did pass for 354 yards. Solomon Moseley led FVSU with seven tackles and a sack. Tyler Moore added another highlight play with another blocked punt to his credit to go with six stops, while Deon Andrews added six tackles of his own and a pass breakup. Antonio Golden chipped in 2.5 tackles for loss with both Zaquan Baldwin and Caleb Thomas posted 1.5 tackles for loss apiece. Keon Bogan snatched the lone FVSU interception.

Morehouse Scores Twice in Final 7 Minutes
     After only scoring 44 combined points in its first five games, Morehouse College put 31 points on the scoreboard to defeat Tuskegee, 31-15. Leading 10-9 at half and 17-9 after three quarters, the Maroon Tigers saw their lead cut to 17-15, before they scored two times in the final 7:29 to seal the win.
      Defensive back Daniel Norman led the Maroon Tigers defense, which allowed only 231 yards. Norman recorded 10 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble.
      For the offense, running back Earnest Davis toted the ball 30 times for 106 yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Michael Sims completed 13 of 24 passes for 138 yards and rushed for 13 more yards on 10 carries.

FVSU Rates Among SIAC Best
     With 6 games played, FVSU rates among best in the SIAC in various stat categories:
     Offense:
      1^st – First Downs (20.3/gm)
      2^nd – Scoring Offense (29.3 ppg)
      2^nd – 3^rd Down Conversions (44.7%)
      3^rd – Pass Offense (251.2 yds/gm)
      3rd – Sacks Against (11)
      4^th – Total Offense (363.8 yds/gm)
      Individual:
1^st – Rushing - Emanuel Wilson (123.0 – 3 gms*)
1^st – Scoring – Emanuel Wilson (10.7 ppg*)
1^st – Kick Returns – Hakeem Ellington (22.3 yds/return)
2^nd – Total Offense – Tyrell Jackson (246.5 yds/gm)
      2^nd – Passing Yards – Tyrell Jackson (249.8 yds/gm)
      3^rd – All-Purpose Yards – Emanuel Wilson (128.7 yds/gm)
      4^th – Pass Efficiency – Tyrell Jackson (143.0)
      4^th – Receptions/Game – Erron Price (4.8/gm)
      Defense:
      1^st – Rush Defense (73.8 yds/gm)
      1^st – Sacks (23)
      4^th – Total Offense (317.3 yds/gm)
      5^th – Scoring Defense (18.2 ppg)
      Individual:
      1^st – Tackles for Loss – Antonio Golden (12.0)
      2^nd – Sacks – Antonio Golden (0.92/gm)
     2^nd – Forced Fumbles – Zaquan Baldwin (0.50/gm)
      2^nd – Passes Defended – Tyler Moore & Christian Maddox (1.00/gm)
      2^nd – Sacks – Antonio Golden (0.92/gm)
      3rd – Sacks – Zaquan Baldwin (0.83/gm)

FVSU Celebrates Homecoming, Welcomes Clark Atlanta
     The annual Fort Valley State Homecoming Week of celebration is set including the Saturday morning parade down University Drive! The Wildcats welcome the Panthers of Clark Atlanta to Wildcat Stadium in the 2 p.m. kick-off next Saturday, Oct. 23^rd.

-Wildcats-

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Wildcats Aim to Continue Success Over Maroon Tigers