DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.- Savannah State had the top rusher and the top defender in the game but it was not enough as the Tigers dropped a 42-7 decision to Bethune-Cookman in front of 2,510 fans at Municipal Stadium.

Justin Babb had a season-high 125 rushing yards and J. Vince Cochran had a game-high 10 tackles for SSU.

The Wildcats took the opening kickoff and drove 71 yards in 12 plays for the first score of the game as Matt Johnson scored on a one-yard run with 10:32 left in the first quarter. Sven Hurd added the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

SSU answered Cookman with a 17 play, 75 yard drive that ended with a one yard touchdown by Babb. It was the first touchdown of the season by the SSU offense. The key plays on the drive was a 11 yard run by Antonio Bostic on a 4th and 1 and a 12 yard run by Babb on a 3rd and 6 situation.

After Derek Williams converted the extra point, the game was tied at seven with 1:01 left in the opening quarter.

Cookman went ahead 14-7 midway in the second quarter when Johnson threw a 43 yard touchdown pass to Patrick Harris.

Johnson scored on a 67 yard run with 4:46 left in the quarter as the Wildcats took a 21-7 lead into the half.

Following a interception, Cookman drove 10 plays in 50 yards to take a 28-7 lead in the third as Johnson threw a 13 yard touchdown pass to Pat Brown with 8:39 left.

Cookman added a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter as Jackie Wilson scored on a one yard run with 9:36 left and Andronicus Lovette scored on a two yard run with five minutes remaining.

AJ DeFilippis threw for 59 yards and two interceptions for SSU but Bostic added 16 yards on 4 of 4 passing and 19 yards on the ground. Simon Heyward caught four passes for 28 yards.

Johnson ran for 11 yards for Cookman (2-0) and passed for 167.

Cookman had 446 yards of offense while the Tigers had 244.

Both teams were hit with penalties as the Wildcats had 18 for 113 yards and SSU (0-3) had 10 for 75 yards.