SAVANNAH, Ga.–Savannah State University held a one-point lead entering the fourth quarter, but Fort Valley State University scored 14 unanswered points in the final period to defeat the Tigers, 22-9, in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) football action Saturday afternoon at Theodore A. "Ted" Wright Stadium.
Playing in front of a Homecoming crowd of 10,330, Savannah State (1-6, 1-5 SIAC) controlled the time of possession and established its running game but struggled to turn scoring opportunities into touchdowns.
The Tigers finished with 224 yards of total offense, including 162 yards rushing, while holding the Wildcats to 291 total yards.
Savannah State opened the contest with an impressive 16-play, 57-yard drive that consumed 7:51 off the clock. Freshman kicker Joshua Woodley capped the possession with a 20-yard field goal, giving the Tigers an early 3-0 advantage with 7:03 remaining in the first quarter.
Fort Valley State (2-4, 1-3 SIAC) responded early in the second quarter when Micheal Cabellero scored on an 11-yard touchdown run. The Wildcats converted the ensuing two-point attempt to take an 8-3 lead with 13:37 remaining before halftime.
The Tigers answered with another methodical possession, marching 44 yards on 11 plays before Woodley connected on a 26-yard field goal with 1:57 remaining in the second quarter, trimming the deficit to 8-6 at intermission.
Savannah State's defense provided a spark in the third quarter when sophomore defensive back Amaari Smith intercepted a Fort Valley State pass and returned it two yards, giving the Tigers possession at the Wildcats' 12-yard line.
The Tigers capitalized on the turnover with Woodley's third field goal of the afternoon, a 23-yard attempt with 8:11 remaining in the third quarter, putting Savannah State back in front, 9-8.
However, Fort Valley State regained the lead just six seconds into the fourth quarter when quarterback Don Hudson connected with Myles Smith on a 17-yard touchdown pass. A successful two-point conversion extended the Wildcats' advantage to 16-9.
Savannah State attempted to answer but was unable to sustain a scoring drive in the final period. Fort Valley State sealed the victory when Cabellero broke free for a 20-yard touchdown run with 30 seconds remaining, providing the final margin.
Offensively, Savannah State was led by junior running back Rodney Hill, who rushed for a team-high 78 yards on 18 carries. KJ DeBruce added 60 yards on 11 attempts, including a 28-yard run.
Sophomore quarterback Rashawn Truell completed 10 of 17 passes for 62 yards without an interception. Freshman wide receiver Tristan Sizemore led the receiving corps with five receptions for 45 yards.
Woodley accounted for all nine of Savannah State's points, connecting on all three of his field-goal attempts from 20, 26 and 23 yards.
Defensively, freshman linebacker Zamarian Williams paced the Tigers with a game-high 10 tackles, including a tackle for loss. Junior defensive back Reginald Troutman followed with six tackles, while sophomore Trevor
Strowbridge added five tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup.
Sophomore defensive lineman Adonis Brazil contributed four tackles, two tackles for loss and a seven-yard sack. Smith finished with an interception and two tackles.
Savannah State's defense recorded seven tackles for loss, one sack and an interception while limiting Fort Valley State to 106 rushing yards.
For the Wildcats, Cabellero led the ground attack with 87 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. Hudson completed 14 of 25 passes for 176 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Despite holding a 35:16 to 24:44 advantage in time of possession, Savannah State was unable to find the end zone. The Tigers converted 5 of 15 third-down opportunities and finished with 14 first downs compared to 19 for Fort Valley State.
The Wildcats scored touchdowns on all three of their red-zone opportunities, while Savannah State settled for three field goals on its three trips inside the 20-yard line.
Savannah State will begin a two-game road trip starting next Saturday, October 24th in Frankfort, Kentucky against Kentucky State. Kickoff is set for 1:00pm at Alumni Stadium.
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