ORANGEBURG, S.C.- The
Thomas Howard era in Savannah State University football got off to a rough start with the Tigers starting the 2026 season with a 87-0 road loss to South Carolina State, in a game played on Saturday evening at Oliver C. Dawson/Willie Jeffries Field.
It was the season opener for both squads.
The game pitted head coaches from both schools with ties to their opponents.
Howard spent the 2019-20 season as the South Carolina State defensive coordinator/linebacker coach while Bulldog head football coach Chennis Berry was a All-SIAC offensive tackle for Savannah State in 1994.
The crowd of 12,000 saw the Bulldogs lead 21-0 after one quarter of play and take a 52-0 advantage into intermission.
South Carolina State scored twice in the third quarter and added three touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
As a team, SSU had 117 yards of offense with 75 rushing and 42 passing. The offensive line did not allow a sack.
Christian Burks earned the start at quarterback and finished the contest completing five of 14 passes for 34 yards and a interception.
Fabian Walker went 2-for4 for eight yards.
Walker was the Tigers leading rusher with 16 yards while
Isaiah Davis ran for 13 yards and
Rodney Hill picked up a dozen yards.
Elijah Stephens caught two passes for 18 yards, including a 14-yard pickup from Banks in the third quarter.
Jahziah Avilez returned a pair of kickoffs for 38 yards while
Trenton Rhodes had eight kick returns for 139 yards which included a 30-yard return in the second quarter.
Chase Butler punted the ball eight times and had a long of 46 yards.
Cameron Leonard paced the defense with a game-high seven tackles and had one pass breakup while
Antonio Vazquez was in on five stops and had one tackle for loss.
Savannah State (0-1) will have two weeks to prepare for their home and conference opener with Albany State (0-1) on September 12 at Theodore A. Wright Stadium at 6 p.m.
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