Football 9/15/2022 11:15:00 AM

Game Central | Football at Benedict

GAME CENTRAL
Savannah State University Tigers (1-1, 1-0 SIAC)
Vs.
Benedict College Tigers (2-0, 0-0 SIAC)

TIME: 7:30 p.m., September 15, 2022
LOCATION: Columbia, S.C. | Charlie W. Johnson Stadium

GAME DAY INFORMATION
TICKETS
WATCH LIVE: ESPNU
ESPN STREAM LINK
LIVE STATS
SSU ROSTER
SSU SCHEDULE
SAVANNAH STATE GAME NOTES

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL: @SavStateTigers
HASHTAGS: #HailSSU | #SSU

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Tigers of Savannah State and Benedict will meet tonight for the 16th time in recorded history in prime time on ESPN.

The old-school Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) rival began in 1932. Benedict holds an 11-4 series lead, winning every game in the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and most of the 1960s. Savannah State, however, has won the last two meetings—2019 (21-14) and 2021 (41-34).

The 912 will be well represented in Columbia tonight. From the Savannah State team, 18 Savannah natives are on the roster this year. Most notably, standouts Jadon Adams (Islands High School) and Makenly Newbill (South Effingham HS).

The other Tigers have some standout Savannahians as well. Benedict Head Coach Chennis Berry was an All-SIAC offensive lineman and 1994 graduate from Savannah State. Benedict quarterback Erik Pheonix was a standout player at Windsor Forrest in Savannah.

Thursday games are not typically great for Savannah State. The last two—in recorded history—were ugly losses. The last time the Tigers hit the gridiron on a school night, they lost to the University of Alabama Birmingham on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, 0-52. Prior to that, they lost to Morgan State on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007, 7-47.

LAST GAME
Savannah State was led to a 31-28 victory over Edward Waters by third-string quarterback Jadon Adams—who was named the SIAC Offensive Player of the Week the Monday after. Adams connected on 4-of-8 passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed eight times for 29 yards, helping the Tigers to 339 total offensive yards in the victory. The Savannah State defense was tough all night, putting pressure up front. A forced fumble ended the game in the final quarter as Edward Waters was threatening to take the lead with minutes left to play.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS
Savannah State shifted from the old-school option to a pro-style offense this year, relying heavily on the read option play. Number one QB JT Hartage will be the main man to start this week with second-stringer, Hampton transfer, Isaiah Robinson getting reps as well. But look out for third-string quarterback Jadon Adams who is the only SSU QB with touchdowns (4) this year.

When the ball is in the air, look for #15 DeMarion Colbert to make a play or #17 Da'Shun Mitchell. On the ground, power back #1 Shamarcus Poole and freshmen #32 Joseph Hampton will be handling the ball.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
Savannah State had one of the toughest defenses in the SIAC last year and many of that team's top stars returned this year. On the line, returners #49 Jonathan Glover and #0 Makenly Newbill will keep the pressure on along side #90 Tony Rountree, Jr. In the backfield, #48 Tavare Brewton, #23 Amiri Johnson and #4 Latrelvin Blackamore will be numbers to watch. Brewton, a freshman, leads the defense so far with 11 total tackles on the season.

LAST MATCHUP WITH BC
Savannah State had its first real SIAC test last year when they hosted Benedict in Theodore A. Wright Stadium on Sept. 18. In a high-scoring game, it was SSU's 27 points in the first half that pushed them to a 41-34 win, despite Benedict posting 21 points in the second half.

OPPONENT SCOUTING REPORT
Benedict was ranked No. 2 in the SIAC East Division in a preseason poll, putting them ahead of Savannah State (No. 3) and behind Albany State (No. 1). So far, they've had a stellar season under third-year head coach Chennis Berry. They won their opener against Elizabeth City State, 58-14, and beat Lane College 14-0 last week—although Lane is an SIAC school, that game did not count as a conference match. They are highly favored by the media to win tonight's match.

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Players Mentioned

#49 Jonathan Glover: DL; 6' 3"; Freshman

#0 Makenly Newbill: DL; 6' 2"; Junior

#9 Jadon Adams: QB; 6' 3"; Redshirt Freshman

#32 Joseph Hampton: RB; 5' 9"; Freshman

#0 Isaiah Robinson: QB; 6' 3"; Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

#49 Jonathan Glover
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: DL

#0 Makenly Newbill
: 6' 2"; Junior
: DL

#9 Jadon Adams
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Freshman
: QB

#32 Joseph Hampton
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: RB

#0 Isaiah Robinson
: 6' 3"; Graduate Student
: QB