FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Fort Valley State University delivered a resilient performance Saturday afternoon at Wildcat Stadium, battling back from a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit before falling just short, 34-33, in overtime against Benedict College.
The Wildcats showed fight on both sides of the football, with Rodrick Payne providing explosive plays on the ground and Daymon Polite leading a defense that created multiple turnovers. Fort Valley State finished with 480 yards of total offense, including 243 rushing and 237 passing yards.
Payne Sparks the Wildcats
After Benedict opened the scoring with a field goal, Payne provided the first major spark for the Wildcats. The running back broke free for a 70-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, putting Fort Valley State ahead 8-3 following a successful two-point conversion.
Payne continued to make an impact throughout the afternoon, finishing with 95 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just eight carries, averaging 11.9 yards per attempt. He added eight receiving yards to finish with 103 all-purpose yards. His second touchdown came in overtime on a 14-yard run that gave the Wildcats a 33-27 advantage.
Quarterback Don Hudson was also a major part of the Wildcats' offensive production. Hudson completed 16 of 28 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown while adding 94 rushing yards and a touchdown. His ability to create with both his arm and legs helped Fort Valley State stay within striking distance throughout the contest.
Polite Leads Turnover-Hungry Defense
Defensively, Daymon Polite turned in one of the biggest performances of the afternoon. Polite recorded nine solo tackles, one tackle for loss, two interceptions, 23 interception-return yards and a pass breakup. His two takeaways helped the Wildcats turn defense into offense, as Fort Valley State scored 15 points off turnovers.
Polite was joined atop the tackle chart by Belardi Thomas, who also finished with nine total tackles, while Ezekiel Theodoris recorded seven. Omarion LaRoach contributed four tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss, while Ethan Jackson forced and recovered a fumble and added two pass breakups.
Wildcats Mount Fourth-Quarter Comeback
After Kennique Bonner-Steward's one-yard touchdown run gave Fort Valley State a 15-10 lead in the third quarter, Benedict responded and eventually built a 27-15 advantage with 7:45 remaining in regulation.
The Wildcats refused to go away.
Hudson capped a six-play, 75-yard drive with a 12-yard rushing touchdown to pull FVSU within six. After the defense got the ball back, Fort Valley State took possession at its own 22-yard line with only 31 seconds remaining.
The Wildcats needed just three plays and 22 seconds to travel 78 yards. Hudson connected with Myles Smith for a six-yard touchdown with nine seconds remaining, tying the game at 27 and sending Wildcat Stadium into overtime.
The passing game featured contributions throughout the receiving corps. J.T. Pendleton led the Wildcats with 65 receiving yards on four catches, including a game-long 61-yard reception. Smith hauled in four catches for 33 yards and the game-tying touchdown, Donte Curry contributed three catches for 43 yards, and Aryn Grant added 54 yards on two receptions.
One Point Separates the Wildcats and Tigers
Fort Valley State struck first in overtime as Payne powered into the end zone from 14 yards out, giving the Wildcats a 33-27 advantage. The ensuing extra-point attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the door open for Benedict.
