Football | 10/25/2019 10:32:00 AM

SAVANNAH, GA. – After a 5-game road streak, Savannah State Football returns to Theodore A. Wright Stadium for Saturday's Homecoming game against Albany State. The Tigers visited Atlanta twice, Augusta, Charleston, South Carolina and Lorman, Mississippi during their road stint.

In a wet and wild game last Saturday, Savannah State secured their third SIAC win of the season beating Clark Atlanta 22-15 in overtime in Atlanta. The win was a major morale booster for the Tigers after coming off two hard-fought losses to FCS Division I teams Charleston Southern and Alcorn State in the previous two weeks.

Albany State is Savannah State's oldest rival. Dating back to 1932, Savannah State has met Albany State 61 times on the gridiron—more than any other opponent. The Golden Rams hold the historical advantage with a 43-16-2 record against the Tigers.

The teams last met in 2011 at the Music City Classic in Macon, Ga. Albany State won that game 37-34 on a last-minute touchdown with 19 seconds on the clock. 

Savannah State and Albany State have two of the best scoring defenses in the SIAC this year. Albany State's defense has 15 touchdowns on the season, while the Tigers have racked up 20. SSU has the No. 2 rushing offense and rushing defense in the conference, while Albany State is ranked third in both of those categories.

Tiger bites:

HISTORICAL HOME
SSU football competed in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) from 1969 to 2000 as a NCAA Division II team, before elevating to Division I and leaving the SIAC for independent status and eventually several years competing within the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). 

PLAYING WITH A CHIP
During the preseason predictions, SSU was picked to finish last in the SIAC Eastern Division. Albany State was picked to win the division followed by Benedict, Morehouse, Fort Valley State, Clark Atlanta and SSU. In addition, no SSU player was selected to the preseason all conference team.
 
FAMILIAR FACE
SSU head coach Shawn Quinn and ASU head coach Gabe Giardina were assistants on the same coaching staff at Charleston Southern.
 
COMMON OPPONENTS
Savannah State and Albany State have four common opponents this season: Fort Valley State, Clark Atlanta, Benedict and Morehouse.
 
SEEKING 3000
SSU quarterback D'Vonn Gibbons has 2,382 career passing yards and needs 618 yards to reach 3,000 for his career.