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Official Home of the Fort Valley State University Wildcats....Stay the Course!

Scoreboard

win at short header 21
36
Winner Fort Valley State FVSU 1-0
18
Shorter University SHORTER 2-2
Winner
Fort Valley State FVSU
1-0
36
Final
18
Shorter University SHORTER
2-2
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
FVSU Fort Valley State 10 7 0 19 36
SHORTER Shorter University 6 6 6 0 18

Game Recap: Football | | Chris Myers

Wildcats Dominate Fourth Quarter, Give Flowers Coaching Debut Victory

Full Game Video
FORT VALLEY, Ga. – It took five months longer than expected, but the Wildcats made it a memorable one. Fort Valley State owned the final quarter with all 19 points scored and doubled up Shorter University, 36-18, to give head coach Maurice Flowers a win in his coaching debut.
 
After leading the entire first half, the Wildcats (1-0) saw the home Hawks (2-2) push in front with the third quarter's lone touchdown, 18-17. Marlon Fleming plunged in from one and two yards to cap fourth-frame scoring drives, before Keij'ne Thomas scooped a fumble for a 19-yard touchdown return on the game's final play.
 
Upon being hired in December of 2019, Flowers had an extended wait to make his head coaching debut. His Wildcats finished strong to make for a perfect first game at the helm despite it coming in late March and not late August/early September of last fall.
 
"I, first, need to say a 'thank you' to our (FVSU) President Dr. Paul Jones and his making it possible for us to practice and compete when a lot of colleges aren't. Dr. (Anthony) Holloman (Director of Athletics) and the athletic administration for helping up to get tested three times a week, as well, to make today possible," explained Flowers, the winning coach for the first time.
 
"It has been a long time coming to play," he continued. "I am so proud of the players and coaching staff, and I am in awe of the Wildcats fans and the big support (the number in attendance) helped us and made it a great atmosphere for a football game. I am glad we were able to meet the challenge today."

 
bridges set at short
WR - Shemar Bridges
Offensively, wide receiver Shemar Bridges grabbed seven passes for 158 yards with a 20-yard touchdown in the early second quarter and a 55-yard on the Wildcats' first offensive play. Tajee' Steele added five catches for 27 yards as the other top target of new FVSU quarterback Tyrell Jackson.
 
In the pocket, Jackson connected on 20-of-34 passes for 246 yards and the one touchdown pass to Bridges without an interception. On the ground, Marlon Fleming ran the ball 24 times for 88 yards and three scores coming from one, one and two yards, including the two fourth-quarter offensive scores.
 
Defensively, the Wildcats forced three turnovers and registered four sacks. Safety Zach Anderson led the unit with nine tackles, seven solo, and Cedric Coleman had eight. Stacy Ivey and Antonio Golden, who also had a fumble recovery, had sacks of the Shorter quarterback.
 
Starting at their own 30-yardline, the Wildcats scored on their first possession. Jackson hit Bridges for 55 yards ending at the Hawks' 15-yardline. Four plays later, Fleming found the end zone for the first time on the day from a yard.
Andre Labat booted a 41-yard field goal and Bridges pulled in a short pass he turned into a 20-yard score in the second quarter and FVSU held a 17-12 lead at half.

With 4:36 left in the third, Shorter edged ahead, 18-17, and it took the slim advantage into the final 15 minutes.

After Golden recovered a fumble for the FVSU defense on the first play of the fourth quarter, Fleming had runs of 11, one and one yard following a 23-yard Jackson pass for the go-ahead visitors' score, 23-18, with 13:43.
FVSU did give up the lead again and it failed to lead the game for only 8:22 of the day.

"Shorter came in very confident and coming off one of the biggest wins in school history last week and it was their 'Senior Day.' I am proud of this football team as FVSU football is used to winning championships and today this group showed some guts and grit and finished strong," wrapped up Flowers of his first win. "We were playing without our left guard, left tackle and tailback on offense and five defensive starters, but the guys stepped up and really played, as we like to say, 'Next Wildcat Up."

The Wildcats will have one more game this short spring season. FVSU travels to face Erskine University on Saturday, April 10, in a 4 p.m. contest.
 
 
 
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