JACKSON, Tenn. – Fort Valley State University Football (3-5, 3-3 SIAC) earned a 23-19 victory over Lane College (0-8, 0-6 SIAC) Saturday afternoon, sealing the win with a late fourth-quarter touchdown and a defensive stand in the final minute.

The Wildcats struck first on their opening drive, marching 81 yards in seven plays as Don Hudson Jr. connected with Solomon Burney for a 12-yard touchdown. Lane responded with a five-play, 60-yard drive to even the score at 7-7, which held through the end of the first quarter.

FVSU regained the lead early in the second on a 32-yard field goal from Kyle Keese. The Dragons answered quickly with a 75-yard scoring drive but missed the extra point to take a 13-10 advantage. Keese knotted the game just before halftime with a 53-yard field goal, sending the teams into the break tied at 13.

The Wildcats opened the second half strong, with Keese staying perfect on the day by drilling a 31-yard field goal to put FVSU ahead 16-13. Lane closed the third quarter with a 30-yard touchdown run, but Joey Samples blocked the extra point to limit the damage, giving the Dragons a 19-16 lead heading into the fourth.

Defense dominated much of the final quarter until FVSU took over with just over three minutes remaining, starting at the Lane 32-yard line. Saadiq Teel completed two passes on the drive, including a 24-yard touchdown strike to Braelen Morgan, and Keese's extra point put the Wildcats back on top 23-19. Lane's final drive crossed into FVSU territory, but the Wildcat defense stood tall and forced a turnover on downs with 29 seconds left to secure the win.

Hudson finished 21-for-31 passing for 185 yards and a touchdown, while Teel threw for 32 yards and the game-winning score in relief. On the ground, Michael Cabellero led FVSU with 42 yards on seven carries, followed by Hudson with 30 yards and Alexander Wilson with 25.

Morgan paced the receiving corps with 42 yards on three receptions and the game-winner, while J.T. Pendleton added 29 yards on five catches and Burney contributed 27 yards and a touchdown on three grabs.

Keese went 2-for-2 on field goals accounting for six Wildcat points.

Defensively, Omarion LaRoach and Daymon Polite led the way with eight tackles apiece, while Jadyn Walker added seven. David Moncrief recorded one sack for a 15-yard loss, and LaRoach posted 2.5 tackles for loss with four quarterback hurries. DaZavion Holman chipped in two tackles for loss for five yards.

The Wildcats return home for Senior Night on Saturday, Nov. 1, hosting Miles College at 6 p.m. at Wildcat Stadium.