SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah State University closed out its 2026 football campaign in impressive fashion Saturday afternoon, delivering a dominant 35-0 shutout victory over Virginia University of Lynchburg on Senior Day at Theodore A. "Ted" Wright Stadium.
The Tigers (2-8) controlled the contest from start to finish, combining a strong rushing attack, relentless defensive pressure and a special teams touchdown to secure their second victory of the season and send their seniors out on a winning note.
Savannah State amassed 340 yards of total offense, including 234 yards on the ground, while limiting the Dragons to just 170 total yards. The Tigers' defense registered six sacks and held Virginia-Lynchburg scoreless throughout the afternoon.
Before kickoff, Savannah State recognized its senior football student-athletes for their contributions to the program.
The Tigers wasted little time establishing control, marching 56 yards on 10 plays during their opening possession. Senior
Zyaire Williams capped the drive with a two-yard touchdown run at the 10:35 mark of the first quarter.
Joshua Woodley's extra point gave SSU an early 7-0 advantage.
Savannah State extended its lead early in the second quarter when Jeffery Jefferson, Jr. blocked a punt and Jamari McIvory returned it 22 yards for a touchdown. Woodley's successful point-after attempt pushed the Tigers' lead to 14-0 with 14:35 remaining in the half.
The Tigers continued their offensive success midway through the second period, engineering a 13-play, 74-yard scoring drive that consumed 5:06 off the clock. Quarterback Rashawn Truell finished the possession with a two-yard touchdown run, giving Savannah State a commanding 21-0 halftime advantage.
After a scoreless third quarter, Savannah State added two more touchdowns in the final period.
Truell connected with senior
Caleb Barbas on a six-yard touchdown pass with 5:50 remaining, completing a 10-play, 68-yard drive that extended the lead to 28-0.
The Tigers put the finishing touches on their season finale when senior
Elijah Stephens scored on an eight-yard touchdown run with just 22 seconds remaining. Woodley's fifth successful extra point established the final 35-0 margin.
Offensively, Savannah State utilized a balanced rushing attack, with several players contributing to the Tigers' 234 rushing yards.
Kendarius Brown led the ground game with 53 yards on nine carries, while freshman
Dralin Gilbert added 44 yards on seven attempts. Stephens contributed 33 rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, while Williams finished with 27 yards and a score.
Truell completed six of 10 passes for 65 yards and one touchdown while also rushing for a score.
Fabian Walker added 34 passing yards on four completions.
Stephens also contributed two receptions for 32 yards, while
Jahziah Avilez recorded two catches for 30 yards.
Defensively, the Tigers delivered one of their strongest performances of the season, highlighted by another outstanding effort from sophomore defensive lineman
Adonis Brazil.
Brazil, who entered the contest among the NCAA Division II national leaders in sacks, recorded three sacks for a loss of 29 yards, bringing his season total to 11. He also finished with four tackles, all solo stops.
Cameron Brown added two sacks for eight yards in losses, while
Kenny Mangum contributed another sack as the Tigers consistently pressured the Virginia-Lynchburg quarterbacks.
Savannah State's defense held the Dragons to just 66 rushing yards and 104 passing yards. Virginia-Lynchburg converted only two of its 12 third-down opportunities and failed on all three fourth-down attempts.
The Tigers also received an outstanding performance from their special teams unit.
In addition to McIvory's punt return touchdown,
Kenny Gladden recorded 76 yards on two punt returns, including a 49-yard return, and added a 29-yard kickoff return. Woodley was perfect on all five extra-point attempts, while
Chase Butler averaged 38.5 yards on four punts, placing three inside the Dragons' 20-yard line.
Savannah State controlled possession for 35:57 and collected 22 first downs compared to 10 for Virginia-Lynchburg. The Tigers also converted nine of their 16 third-down opportunities.
The victory marked the first shutout of the
Thomas Howard era and provided a fitting conclusion to his first season leading the Savannah State football program.
With the win, Savannah State concludes its 2026 season with a 2-8 overall record and a 1-7 mark in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) play.
Saturday's victory also provided a memorable farewell for the Tigers' senior class, who concluded their collegiate careers at Ted Wright Stadium with a commanding victory in front of the Savannah State faithful. It also gave the program some positive momentum going in to the offseason and getting set to reload for 2027.
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