Football 10/29/2022 11:19:00 AM

Game Central | Football vs. Fort Valley State

GAME CENTRAL
Savannah State University Tigers (3-5, 2-4 SIAC)
Vs.
Fort Valley State University Wildcats (7-1, 4-1 SIAC)

TIME: 5 p.m., October 29, 2022
LOCATION: Macon, Ga. | Brad Henderson Stadium
GAME DAY INFORMATION
TICKETS ($20)
LIVE STATS
SSU ROSTER
SSU SCHEDULE

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Macon, Ga. – In the penultimate game of the regular season, Savannah State travels to Macon for the 2022 Central City Classic, a key Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) matchup with Fort Valley State.

Savannah State and Fort Valley meet on the gridiron for the 37th time since 1967. The old rivalry took a 17-year break beginning in 2002 and was reignited when Savannah State rejoined the SIAC in 2019. Savannah State beat Fort Valley that year, 53-24, and in their last meeting in 2021.

Next week, Savannah State plays the final game of the regular season at home. The Tigers host Lane College in Theodore A. Wright Stadium. Kick-off is set for 5 p.m.

LAST GAME
Savannah State battled the reigning SIAC Champs Albany State to the last whistle, falling 31-20, last week on home turf. With four minutes left in the game, the Tigers were only down by three points, but a costly turnover sealed up the win for Albany State. In one of their best outings of the season, Savannah State produced 252 yards of total offense.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS
Shifting from the run-heavy option last year to a stand-up RPO has been an adjustment for the Tigers. But, there are bright spots. At the quarterback position, Jadon Adams started the year as a third-string backup behind starter JT Hartage and second-string transfer Isaiah Robinson.

Adams shined early on, earning an SIAC Offensive Player of the Week award and the starting job. But the last four weeks have been tough for the redshirt freshman. Hartage has stepped back in and been very productive. He had one of his best games of the year last week, completing 13-of-19 attempts for 197 yards in the air and a touchdown.

Hartage leads the passing stats, completing 48-of-74 attempts with four touchdowns. Adams still leads the rushing stats with 340 yards on 83 carries. Adams has seven passing touchdowns and four rushing TD's this season.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
Savannah State's defense this year is led by a mix of veterans and newcomers. True Freshman Tavare Brewton was named the SIAC Newcomer of the Week after a spectacular performance against Morehouse.

Brewton leads the team with 47.0 tackles this season. Veteran Makenly Newbill has been key up front for SSU. He has 41.0 tackles on the season, 8.0 tackles for a loss and 5.0 sacks. Deon Bell (31.0 tackles), Marlon Jackson (27.0 tackles), Amiri Johnson (24.0 tackles) and D'Armani Ridley (23.0 tackles) also top the stats this season.

LAST MATCHUP WITH ASU
Last year, Savannah State put up 21 points in the first half against Fort Valley State and their defense held the Wildcats to only six points in a 24-6 shellacking in Fort Valley, Ga.

OPPONENT SCOUTING REPORT
Fort Valley State is having one of its best seasons in several years. At 7-1, their only loss this season came against the unbeaten Benedict. They are currently on a three-game win streak and coming off 41-21 stomping of Clark Atlanta last week.

On the ground, Emanuel Wilson leads the rushing stats with 1,031 yards on 156 attempts this season and 12 touchdowns. Quarterback Kelvin Durham has completed 118-of-193 attempts for 1,650 yards. The highly productive offense is averaging 399.3 total yards a game.

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