Fort Valley State Falls at Savannah State

SAVANNAH, GA (FVSU RELEASE) – The Fort Valley State University Wildcats entered Ted Wright Stadium Saturday afternoon to face the Tigers of Savannah State University, looking for their first win. It was not to be, as the Wildcats suffered their second loss, falling to SSU 27-20.

The Tigers snapped a four-game losing streak with their first win over FVSU since 2000.  The Wildcats fall to 0-2 overall and the Tigers improve to 1-2 on the season.

The Wildcats came out hot, drawing first blood as quarter back Eugene Smith scored from four yards out with 5:03 left in the first quarter. FVSU’s running back Michael Bellamy rushed twice for 19 yards, wide receiver Donte’ Warren had two catches for 46 yards and Smith completed 7-of-10 passes for 100 yards.

In the second half, Smith added another six points on a 16-yard run up the middle to cap off an 8 play 67-yard drive with 9:40 left.

Savannah State scored its first points on a 92-yard kickoff return by Lereginald Veals at the 9:27 mark and a failed kick by John Barron made the score 13-7. SSU’s Simon Heyward scored on a 36-yard pass from Antonio Bostick to make the score 13-12, and Barron’s extra point tied the game 13-13.

At halftime the Wildcats had gained 258 total yards to SSU’s 62 yards of total offense. FVSU’s quarterback/running back Malcolm Eady rushed for 76 yards and Smith passed for 124. FVSU out gained SSU on the ground 134-to-15 yards on 28 plays to 8.

With 7:55 to go in the third quarter, wide receiver Donte’ Warren received a 22-yard pass from Smith for a touchdown to cap off a nine play, 85 yard drive. Chris Ward’s extra point made the score 20-13.

In the fourth quarter SSU’s Cantrell Frazier grabbed an 11-yard touchdown pass from Bostick with 13:25 to pull the Tigers to within one.  Barron’s extra point made it 20-20.

Later, Savannah State intercepted a pass at the FVSU 48 then returned it to the FVSU 21.  A pass interference penalty moved the ball even closer to the goal line, and Savannah State’s Veals eventually ran it in for the score to put the Tigers ahead 26-20.  Barron’s kick made it 27-20.

Next up for FVSU is a trip to Atlanta to play the Panthers of Clark Atlanta University in FVSU first conference game at 3 p.m. in Panther Stadium. Savannah State will travel to Miami to take on the University of Miami.