ATLANTA, Ga. – In a hard-fought Thursday night primetime ESPN 2 contest, Fort Valley State University Football (0-2, 0-1 SIAC) took a tough 26-21 loss vs. Clark Atlanta University (2-1, 1-0 SIAC).

Neither team found the end zone in the opening quarter, with both defenses setting the tone early. The Wildcats threatened late in the first, driving to the Clark Atlanta 20-yard line as the quarter expired.

FVSU broke through first in the second quarter when quarterback Don Hudson Jr. connected with J.T. Pendleton for an 11-yard touchdown at the 14:11 mark, giving the Wildcats a 7-0 lead. The FVSU defense immediately forced a three-and-out, but CAU capitalized on a miscue, scoring a safety to cut the lead to 7-2. The Panthers used the momentum, driving from the FVSU 39-yard line to score and take a 9-7 advantage with 8:49 left before halftime.

CAU extended its lead just before the break, marching 73 yards for another touchdown and a 16-7 lead heading into the locker room.

The Wildcats came out strong after halftime, as Hudson again found Pendleton, this time on a 19-yard strike, to close the gap to 16-14. The FVSU defense locked down on the next series, setting up a methodical drive capped by a 2-yard rushing touchdown from Micheal Cabellero to put the Wildcats back in front, 21-16.

The Panthers answered with a field goal to make it 21-19 early in the fourth. The Wildcats drove deep into Panther territory but couldn't convert in the red zone, and Clark Atlanta responded with a clock-draining drive capped by a short touchdown pass to take the 26-21 lead. FVSU's final drive ended just shy on a fourth-and-one attempt, sealing the Panthers' victory.

Hudson led the Wildcat offense, finishing 21-for-26 for 142 yards and two touchdowns passing, while also pacing the ground attack with 141 rushing yards on 23 carries. Alexander Wilson added 59 yards on 12 attempts, while Cabellero contributed the lone rushing touchdown.

Through the air, Pendleton shined with seven catches for 74 yards and two scores. Braelen Morgan added 45 yards on six receptions and boosted special teams with 70 yards on three kickoff returns.

Defensively, Jadyn Walker had six tackles (four solo) and K.J. Spence had six solo tackles to led the charge. DeAndre Boykins tallied five solo stops, including a sack for a three-yard loss, and two pass breakups.

The Wildcats are back in action for the home opener on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 3 p.m. to host Delta State University.