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Wildcats Ready for Clash with Golden Tigers at Red Tails Classic

9/3/2021 6:27:00 PM

It's Time for the 2021 Show to Kick-off!
     
    FORT VALLEY, Ga. – The months of hard work, sweat and preparations will finally be put to the test in a nationally-televised fashion Sunday night! 
    The 2021 Wildcats will make their first appearance for the fall when they battle the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee University on ESPNU in Montgomery, Ala.'s Crompton Bowl. Kick is set for 7 p.m. EST/6 p.m. CST.

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Red Tails Classic Information
2020 FVSU Stats
2021 FVSU Schedule

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Flowers Set for First Full Season Debut
    After the full 2020 fall season was lost due to Covid concerns, FVSU head coach Maurice Flowers is in his final hours before starting his first full season from the Wildcats sidelines.
    Sunday night, though, will not be his second-year coach's opening act. Flowers and FVSU took the field two times in the late 2021 spring with a pair of victories. FVSU claimed a 36-18 win at Shorter University, before two weeks later it prevailed 45-21 at Erskine.
    With a victory over the weekend, Flowers would increase his season openers with the Wildcats to 2-0.

Wildcats Seek Second Opening Win in Row 
    Before the opening win for the '2020' season back on March 27 at Shorter University, the FVSU football team had a tough streak starting campaigns. 
    The Wildcats last season-opening victory before March 27 came eight years back on Sept. 1, 2012, in a 31-23 win at Delta State.
    The FVSU win at Shorter just over five months ago and the win at Delta State eight years ago bookend a tough 2-8 mark in the last 10 opening games.

Wildcats Try to Tame Tigers Roll in Series 
    The two Sunday opponents maybe Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference members, but the foes meet for the first time in three years this Labor Day Weekend.
    Despite only being 126 miles between the two campuses, Tuskegee and Fort Valley State have not been regular opponents on the gridiron. 
    Sunday will mark the first contest since Nov. 13, 2018 when the two take the Crompton Bowl gridiron. In that contest, FVSU opened an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter only to see Tuskegee score the next 17 points - a second-frame touchdown and 10 more points in the third quarter. FVSU added a second field goal in the last third, but it pulled no closer in the 17-6 final.
    Overall, Tuskegee holds a 17-6 lead in series history. The Golden Tigers have claimed the last eight matchups, including a tight 13-6 win the 2017 SIAC title contest.
    FVSU's last series victory came in shutout fashion. The Wildcats posted a 26-0 victory on Oct. 16, 2010, in Wildcat Stadium. It stands as the lone win of the series last 10 contests played.

Boone, Bridges, Wilson, Jackson and More 
    Gone is the throwing on every down 'air raid' system last seen in a full FVSU football season. Now, the Wildcats will take advantage of their deeper offensive talent into a much more balanced attack.
    Leading the way with the offensive group, All-SIAC First Team center Emmanuel Boone and Second Team lineman Waylin Bell will provide the protection up front for the skill positions Wildcats.
    With Boone, Bell and company, FVSU averaged 430.0 yards of total offense in the two spring games with 237.0 yards through the air and 193.0 yards on the ground.
    All-SIAC wide out Shemar Bridges showed his hard work paying off between the 2019 season end to the pair of the 2021 spring contests. He went from averaging 76.5 yards receiving to 150.5 yards with 13 catches for 301 yards in the two early 2021 wins. For his 12 career Wildcats games, the NFL prospect has totaled 64 receptions for 1,066 yards with six touchdowns for a 16.66-yard per catch average and 88.83 yards per contest.
    In his first two FVSU games, transfer quarterback Tyrell Jackson accounted for 231.0 yards of total offense this spring. The sophomore completed 32 of 58 attempts (55.17%) for 474 yards and three scores without an interception.
    After being the 2019 CIAA Rookie of the Year, running back Emmanuel Wilson brings his talents to The Valley. In 10 games as as a Johnson C. Smith freshman, Wilson ran for 1,040 yards on 159 tries with 13 touchdowns. He will be joined by senior Marlon Fleming (34 for 168 yards) and Kentrelle Williams (22 att. for 142 yards) in the two spring games.

Patterson, Anderson and Hicks Anchor FVSU Line of Defense
    Like the FVSU offense, a trio of All-SIAC defenders will anchor the 2021 line of defense. First teamers defensive end Jahseari Patterson and strong safety Zach Anderson are ready to continue their strong 2019 play and second team free safety Michael Hicks, Jr. will partol the secondary.
    Patterson had a breakthrough season with 48 tackles, 15 for loss of 81 yards and 6.5 sacks, eight hurries and four forced fumbles over 10 games.
    Anderson returns as the FVSU top leading tackler with 61 to go with two tackles for loss, three pass breakups and forced a fumble.
    Hicks, Jr. finished as the 2019 top ball hawk with four interceptions where he returned them 75 yards go to go with 35 tackles.

FVSU Travels to Tallahassee for Third Season in a Row for Week 2
     For the third time in as many seasons, FVSU plays a non-conference game in Tallahassee, Fla.. The Wilcats will battle the Rattlers of Florida A&M on Saturday night, Sept. 11, in a 6 p.m. kick-off.
    



 
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