SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State gave their alumni and fans something to cheer about as the Tigers opened their 2015 Homecoming game with North Carolina Central by scoring 22 points in the first quarter.

After spotting SSU a 22-point lead, the rest of the contest belonged to NCCU as the Eagles finished the game with 39 unanswered points in a 39-22 victory over Savannah State.

The crowd of 5,649 inside TA Wright Stadium saw the Eagles trail 22-15 at intermission but tied the game early in the third quarter.

NCCU took the lead on a field goal midway in the third period and scored a touchdown with just over five minutes remaining in the quarter to expand their lead to 32-22.

The only scoring in the fourth quarter came from a NCCU touchdown with 7:33 left in the game.

The disappointing loss overshadowed Arshon Spaulding's 133 yards on the ground for the Tigers.

Spaulding was the first SSU player to run for at least 100 yards in a game this season and the first Tiger player to do so since Tino Smith ran for 101 yards last year against Howard.

Savannah State scored on their first possession of the contest as Joshua Berry capped a 7-play, 90-yard drive with a 10 yard touchdown scamper with 11:26 on the clock. John Barron's extra point gave the Tigers a 7-0 edge.

A 52 yard run by Spaulding was a key play on the drive.

On the kickoff, NCCU's Jonathan Williams took the ball in the end zone but could not get out as he was tackled by Marquis Smith for a safety which gave the Tigers a 9-0 lead.

The Tigers created a turnover on the next Central possession as linebacker Leonardo Myers intercepted a ball at the SSU 46 and returned it 32 yards to the NCCU 22.

SSU could not turn the turnover into points as Barron missed a 35 yard field goal with 5:40 on the clock.

On the next SSU possession, it took just two plays for the Tigers to score. Spaulding ran for a 16 yard gain from his own 23 to the SSU 39 and then bolted for a 61 yard touchdown run with 2:39 remaining in the quarter. Barron's extra point put Savannah State ahead 16-0.

SSU stopped Central on their next drive after Smith intercepted a pass at the NCCU 29 and returned it three yards to the Eagles 26.

On the first play, following the interception, Berry took the hand-off from Spaulding a ran 26 yards for a score and a 22-0 cushion with 1:20 on the clock. The two-point conversion failed.

During the opening quarter, the Tigers (1-5) had a 183 to 55 edge in offensive yards over NCCU.

The Eagles scored on all three of their possessions in the second quarter as well as tackled a SSU player in the end zone for a safety.

Malcom Bell scored on a three yard run and Nigel MaCauley kicked a 30 yard field goal to give NCCU 10 points. After SSU's punter fumbled the snap and recovered it in the end zone, the Eagles earned two points and a 35 yard field goal by McCauley thirty second before halftime pulled the visitors within 22-15.
 
In the second quarter, Central had 126 offensive yards while Savannah State had negative seven.
 
The Eagles keep their momentum rolling in the their quarter as they added 17 points while holding SSU scoreless.
 
Central tied the game with just under 12 minutes left in their third quarter. Following a blocked punt which the Eagles recovered, NCCU added a 30 yard field goal with just under nine minutes left in the quarter to go ahead 25-22. Central increased their advantage to 32-22 with 5:03 remaining in the third after another touchdown.
 
Midway in the fourth quarter NCCU's Ramone Simpson ran for a one yard touchdown for the final score of the game.
 
Savannah State drove to the North Carolina Central three yard line late in the quarter but three dropped balls prevented the Tigers from scoring.
 
After rushing for 183 yards in the first quarter, SSU did not get the same type production the rest of the way. The Tigers ran for-15 yards in the second quarter, eight yards in the third quarter and -6 yards in the fourth quarter.
 
NCCU had 433 yards of offense while the Tigers had 300.
 
Both team drew a lot of penalties with SSU getting 11 for 88 yards while N.C. Central had nine for 98 yards.
 
Spaulding had 71 yards passing for SSU while Leon Prunty added 59 yards while completing 6 of 10 attempts.
 
Berry added 39 yards on the ground with two touchdowns while Ker-Sean Wilson caught four balls for 51 yards. Smith anchored the defense with 10 tackles and a interception.
 
Dorrel McClain ran for 135 yards  for NCCU while quarterback Malcolm Bell added 92 yards and a touchdown while throwing for 116 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Armani Lanier caught seven balls for 59 yards and a touchdown. Miles Jordan and CJ Moore had seven tackles apiece for NCCU (3-3).
 
SSU Notebook
 
Guest Coaches
SSU Vice President of Fiscal Affairs Edward Jolley and Dr. Michelle Rozga from the SSU English, Language & Cultures Department served as honorary guest coaches for today's game.
 
Nice Crowd
The announced attendance was 5,649 which exceeded the 2014 Homecoming attendance of 5,268 fans.
 
Earning A Start
Freshman Rashad Saxon started at running back today. The Jacksonville, Florida native had one carry for ten yards.
 
Improving Offense
For the third week in a row, SSU's offense has produced at least 300 yards. The Tigers gained 300 yards against Florida A&M, 313 yards against Morgan State and 300 yards against North Carolina Central.
 
A Chance To Visit
Former SSU player and assistant coach Wesley McGriff had a chance to mix and mingles with friends and fans at the SSU Homecoming weekend. McGriff was available to spend some in Savannah since the New Orleans Saints, where he is an assistant coach, played and defeated the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night.
 
Former Assistants On NCCU Staff
Former SSU assistants Carl Funderburk and Chris Buckner are now assistants with North Carolina Central. Funderburk (offensive line) worked at SSU in 2010 while Buckner (wide receivers) was at SSU in 2013.
 
The Band Played On
Despite losing all of their instruments due to a fire in the band room earlier this week, the SSU band was able to play during Homecoming. Thanks to the generosity from local businesses, alumni and friends of SSU, instruments were donated to the band.