Terrance Wolfolk

Wildcats Seek to Defend Home Field Against Tigers on ‘Senior Day’

10/29/2021 2:20:00 PM

By: Chris Myers

FORT VALLEY, Ga. – On what is predicted to be as close to ideal late-October weather conditions over the weekend, the Wildcats seek to defend its home turf one more time this fall. Fort Valley State plays its biggest home contest against Savannah State and hope to send its senior players out with one final Wildcat Stadium victory.
      Following a solid rebound Homecoming victory, the Wildcats look to continue their drive for a potential Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship spot in tact when the Tigers come to The Valley.

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Savannah State at FVSU
Sat., Oct. 30, 2 p.m.
Wildcat Stadium
Watch Live on ESPN+
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SIAC East Foes Head into Weekend off Opposite Results
     It two opposite results for the two SIAC East foes heading into their weekend matchup.
      FVSU comes off a reenergizing victory where it scored 40 unanswered points in what turned out to be a going away, 40-7, final over Clark Atlanta. Savannah State suffered a tough afternoon as No. 25 Albany State scored all the points of the contest in a 30-0 final.

Wildcats Leads Series vs. Tigers
     For the 52^nd time, FVSU takes on Savannah State on the gridiron. The Wildcats have posted 35 victories in the first 51 meetings for a .716 winning percentage. The SIAC members have only met 10 times in the last 23 years. The two state Universities have split the last four matchups covering 11 seasons. FVSU is 7-3 overall in the last 10 contests.
      Last 10 Scores:
      2019 – SSU 53, FVSU 24
      2014 – FVSU 42, SSU 28
      2013 – SSU 27, FVSU 20
      2010 – FVSU 41, SSU 10
      2007 – FVSU 33, SSU 2
      2002 – FVSU 25, SSU 6
      2001 – FVSU 35, SSU 0
      2000 – SSU 37, FVSU 13
      1999 – FVSU 35, SSU 25
      1998 – FVSU 28, SSU 10

Tigers Forced Early Turnovers in Last Meeting in 2019
     It was the first meeting in five years when FVSU traveled to Savannah on Nov. 2 of 2019.
      Savannah State forced three FVSU turnovers in the opening six minutes and converted each into touchdowns and never looked back in a 53-24 win.
     The Tigers added a fourth score in the opening 15 minutes and took a 40-3 advantage to intermission. The Wildcats won the second half by a 21-13 margin off three touchdown passes, but the deficit was too much to recover.
     The Savannah State rushing attack amassed 375 yards on the ground on 57 attempts and 450 yards of total offense. The top SIAC passing attack, FVSU threw for 292 yards and fell short of 300 yards of total offense at 295.

Wildcats Score 40 Unanswered Points, Take Panthers
     After falling behind in the final minute of the first quarter, the Wildcats scored the final 40 points with six different players scoring touchdowns to run past Clark Atlanta, 40-7, in the Homecoming victory.
     Following an interception and punt on its opening possessions, the FVSU engine revved up with three-straight, second-quarter scoring drives over a 10:42 stretch on a combined 26 plays and 239 yards for 21-7 lead. The Wildcats saw its one-two running back punch of Emanuel Wilson and Kentrelle Williams, who posted a total of 245 rushing together, with third-quarter scoring runs of 14 and 20 to seal the victory over the Panthers.
     FVSU almost tripled the Clark Atlanta total offense, 438-182, with 244 rushing, a season-best, and 194 yards through the air. A week after committing six turnovers and having two punts blocked, the Wildcats won the turnover battle, 4-1, and took down a five-to-one sack advantage.
     Individually, Wilson eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the third time in five games this season with 23 carries for 161 yards and a 14-yard run. He also caught two passes for 18 yards. Williams made the solid tandem with 10 totes for 84 yards and a 20-yard scoring burst.
     Tyrell Jackson completed 15 of 27 pass attempts for 194 yards with a 41-yard scoring strike to Tajee Steele and another from 20 yards out to Tamir Jones. Steele led the FVSU receivers with 89 yards on four catches and Shemar Bridges pulled in four balls for 41 yards.
   Defensively, cornerback Tavian Coleman ran back a late interception for a Pick 6 from 45 yards and Christian Maddox added an interception of his own. The rest of the secondary contributed to the stat line of seven tackles and a pass breakup by Tyler Moore, Zach Anderson chipped in five tackles with one for a loss and Deon Andrews picked off a late pass.
     Freshman Tim Alderman posted his best game of the season with five tackles, four of them for loss and a pair of sacks. Antonio Golden, Noah Waller and Zaquan Baldwin completed the sack recorders.

Albany State Holds Savannah State in Check
     In the battle of SIAC East unbeaten, Albany State used a strong first half and went to a 16-0 lead. The Golden Rams added two second-half touchdowns to complete the 30-0 win over Savannah State.
     The Tigers were outgained in the contest, 371-55, by the Golden Rams.

FVSU vs. SSU, Rates Among SIAC Best
FVSU vs. SSU          FVSU                     SSU
Scoring Offense       3^rd (27.4 ppg)          13^th (7.4 ppg)
Scoring Defense      6^th (20.9 ppg)          2^nd (10.9 ppg)
Total Offense            6^th (349.0 yds/gm) 8^th (345.4 yds/gm)
Total Defense           5^th (316.4 yds/gm) 2^nd (261.4 yds/gm)
Rush Offense           9^th (121.0 yds/gm) 2^nd (239.1 yds/gm)
Rush Defense          1^st (89.8 yds/gm)    3^rd (105.9 yds/gm)

With 8 games played, FVSU rates among best in the SIAC in various stat categories:
     Offense:
      Individual:
1^st – Rushing - Emanuel Wilson (119.4 – 5 gms*)
1^st – Scoring Kicking – Andre Labat (4.9 ppg)
1^st – Field Goals – Andre Labat (0.75 made/gm)
2^nd – All-Purpose – Emanuel Wilson (133.6 yds/gm)
2^nd – Scoring – Emanuel Wilson (7.6 ppg)
2^nd – Passing – Tyrell Jackson (218.9 yds/gm)
3^rd – Total Offense – Tyrell Jackson (213.0 yds/gm)
Defense:
      1^st – Sacks (28)
      1^st – Interceptions (11)
      Individual:
      1^st – Tackles for Loss – Antonio Golden (14.0/1.75 per gm)
      2^nd – Sacks – Antonio Golden (0.81/gm)

FVSU Battles ASU in 31^st Fountain City Classic
     After a year pause, the 31^st Annual Fountain City Classic will see Fort Valley State and Albany State battle in Columbus, Ga.'s A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium next Saturday, Nov. 6. Kick-off is set for 2 p.m.

-Wildcats-

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Wildcats Seek to Defend Home Field Against Tigers on ‘Senior Day’