THE GAME:
Savannah State University will return to Theodore A. Wright Stadium for their second home contest of the year to host the Golden Bears of Miles College.

The Tigers are still trying to find their way this season as they look to give head coach Thomas Howard his first win while Miles enters the game after a road win at Clark Atlanta.

This will be the Golden Bears first time back in Savannah since 2006 when they defeated SSU 24-12. Prior to that, Savannah State had beaten Miles 12 times in a row dating from 1977-2000.

The series between Savannah State and Miles started in 1973 and the Tigers hold a 14-4 edge.

GAME INFORMATION:
Miles (1-3, 1-1 SIAC) vs. Savannah State (0-3, 0-2 SIAC)
Date: Saturday, September 26th
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Theodore A. "Ted" Wright Stadium | Savannah, Georgia
Game Notes: https://ssuathletics.com/documents/2026/9/21/2026_SSU_Football_Game_Notes_vs._Miles.pdf

GAME THEME:
Saturday's contest is designated as Student Organzations/Greek/Student Appreciation Day, presented by the Savannah State College of Business Administration (COBA).

TICKET INFORMATION:
All Tickets MUST Be Purchased Online At SSUAthletics.com/Tickets

WEATHER INFORMATION:
Saturday's forecast for "The Hostess City" shows it to be clear and sunny with a high of 81°, with winds blowing North at 9mph.

BROADCAST INFORMATION:
Live Stream: Savannah State Sports Network
Broadcasters: Terry Hines (Play-By-Play), Curtis Foster (Color Commentary

SAVANNAH STATE SPORTS NETWORK
Savannah State will have fourth of their home football contests live streamed on the Savannah State Sports Network with veteran SSU broadcasters Terry Hines (Play-By-Play) and Curtis Foster (Color Commentary). The Savannah State Sports Network can be found at: https://siacnetwork.tv/ssutigers/.

COACH HOWARD ON MILES
"It's going to be interesting because you have two different types of quarterbacks with a guy that sits in the pocket and can throw it all over the place and then the guy that can throw but also is a load to bring down and can run. 
They use a group of running backs and their offensive line is very athletic. They are going to have a physical and fast defense. We are going to have our hands full figuring out who they go with at quarterback. I'm excited because we are getting better."

LAST WEEK
Savannah State traveled to Jacksonville, Florida to play Edward Waters in their first conference road game of the season. While the SSU offense managed 275 yards and produced 30 points, it would not be enough to get a victory as Edward Waters pulled out a 55-30 win. 

Edward Waters scored the first 21 points of the contest before Rodney Hill scored on a one-yard run with 6:34 left in the second quarter to put SSU on the scoreboard. After EWU increased their lead to 35-7 RaShawn Truell threw a five yard touchdown pass to Tristan Sizemore with three seconds showing left in the first half to send Savannah State into the locker room down 35-14. The teams traded scores in the third quarter with Edward Waters scoring two touchdowns and SSU getting a 43 yard field goal from Joshua Woodley and a 14 yard touchdown pass from Truell to Jordan Anderson. Although the Savannah State defense kept EWU out of the end zone in the fourth quarter,

Edward Waters managed to kick a pair of field goals while Savannah State's Elijah Stephens scored on a two-yard run with 11:38 remaining in the game.

Truell completed 23 of 45 passes for two touchdowns and a career-high 239 yards. Kendarius Brown ran for 27 yards and Stephens caught three passes for 47 and Consere Clark had five receptions for 44 yards. Zamarian Williams had a team-high seven tackles and two tackles for loss, Cameron Leonard had a interception, Chase Butler averaged 37.8 yards per punt and Trenton Rhodes had six kick returns for 88 yards.

LAST YEAR AGAINST MILES
In his first start of the season, Fabian Walker led the Tigers to a 45-19 road win over Miles, throwing for 204 yards and 3 touchdowns at Albert Sloan Stadium in the Prince Hall Americanism Football Classic. 

Miles led 7-0 after the first quarter but Savannah State went into the half with a 24-17 advantage with Jimmy Tran kicking a 35-yard field goal and Walker throwing two touchdown passes to Cinsere Clark of 45 and 16 yards and another to Arik Gilbert for 27 yards. Miles was forced to punt on their opening possession of the third quarter but it was blocked by Emari Napper and recovered by Kevin Stokes, Jr. in the end zone for a touchdown and a 31-17 cushion. 

The Miles offense had three possessions in the fourth quarter and two of those were lost by fumbles. SSU turned those miscues into points as Trevor Strowbridge recovered a fumble, that was forced by Tavare Brewton, at the Miles 13 and returned it for a touchdown with 7:39 left in the game. Kirk Smith forced a fumble that was recovered by Darrian Bell at the Golden Bears 41. The result was a eight yard touchdown run by David Gardner, Jr. with 18 seconds left in the game.

Cinsere Clark caught two touchdown passes and Joseph Hampton ran for 51 yards. Darrian Bell and Xavier Esquillen both had six tackles for the SSU defense held Miles to 59 yards on the ground while sacking the quarterback four times. It was a team effort with SSU getting points from their offense, defense and special teams. 

SAVANNAH STATE/MILES CONNECTION
Before Miles running back Lavarion Logan joined the Golden Bears program, he attended Savannah State. He also attended Illinois State and Tyler Junior College.

From 2010-18, current Savannah State women's basketball coach Phillip Wallace, Jr. served as Director of Athletics at Miles College, where he led a renaissance in athletic excellence on the field, in the classroom, and through fundraising.

COMMON OPPONENTS
Savannah State and Miles have three common opponents: Edward Waters, Kentucky State and Fort Valley State

Both teams have already faced Edward Waters and lost. EWU beat Miles 36-20 on September 12 and beat Savannah State 55-30 on Sept. 19.

Savannah State will host Fort Valley State on October 17 and will travel to Kentucky State on Oct. 24. Miles will play KSU on Oct. 10 and will play Fort Valley State on Oct. 29.

YOU CAN GET ANYWHERE FROM HERE
Former Savannah State linebacker Eugene Brantley currently serves as the Sheriff of Richmond County, Georgia.

Sheriff Brantley's early years were shaped by his love of football, a passion he pursued from high school through college and even professionally. As a walk-on at Savannah State, he quickly earned a full athletic scholarship and was named Team MVP his senior year. His time as a linebacker taught him the importance of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance—values that have defined his leadership throughout his career.
During the 1990 season, Sheriff Brantley helped the Tigers to a 7-4 record, led the team with 118 tackles and was the only member of the squad to earn All-SIAC honors.

After college, Sheriff Brantley began his professional life working for a construction company at the Savannah River Site. His passion for community development soon led him to establish Estill, South Carolina's first Recreation Department, where he served as the Director.

In 2000, Sheriff Brantley joined the Richmond County Sheriff's Office, marking the start of a distinguished law enforcement career spanning more than two decades. Rising through the ranks, he served in multiple specialized units, including Special Operations, the Housing Unit, and the Rapid Response Riot Team.

In 2017, Sheriff Brantley transitioned to the Richmond County Marshal's Office, where he quickly advanced to the rank of Sergeant.

In June 2024, the citizens of Richmond County elected Eugene "Gino Rock" Brantley as Sheriff. He officially took office on January 1, 2025, pledging to lead with integrity, accessibility, and transparency. His leadership philosophy centers on the belief that effective law enforcement begins with relationships built on mutual respect.

CATCHING ON
Wide receiver Cinsere Clark had a team-leading 50 receptions last season for 641 yards and 4 touchdowns. After three games he has 11 receptions fopr 83 yards and 1 touchdown.
Clark was the first SSU player to have at least 50 catches in a single season since 2010 when Simon Heyward caught 56 passes for 423 yards and 6 touchdowns. 

SWEET HOME ALABAMA
Savannah State has two players on their roster from Alabama. Defensive lineman Akeem White (Auburn) and offensive linemen Arnez Jones (Foley).
In addition, Co-Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach Clyde Grady hails from  Auburn, Alabama. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Auburn University at Montgomery

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Savannah State is ranked in the top 50 in several categories in the latest Division II statistics rankings. 

The Tigers are ranked 31 in red zone offense (1.000), #12 in fewest penalty yards per game (40.67), #13 in kick return defense (14.00), #14 in fewest penalty yards (122), #23 in fewest penalties (17), #31 in team tackle for loss (7.00), #36 in fewest penalties per game (5.67), #43 in passes had intercepted (2) and #47 in team sacks (2.00).

Individually, Trenton Rhodes is ranked #2 in combined kick returns (349) and #15 in all-purpose yards (144.0) and Jadahrien Stokes is ranked #21 in fumble recoveries (1).

TIGER LEADERS
RaShawn Truell has emerged as the leader of the Tigers offense. The sophomore quarterback has completed 32 of 62 passes for 410 yards with 4 touchdowns and 1 interception. Rodney Hill is the top ground gainer with 63 yards and a touchdown followed by Prince Brown (42 yards) and Elijah Stephens who has rushed for 34 yards and scored 1 touchdown. Cinsere Clark has 11 receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown, Trenton Rhodes has 3 catches for 83 yards and a touchdown and Elijah Stephens has 6 catches for 75 yards. 

Kaiden Stanciel is the defensive leader with 13 tackles. Adonis Brazil, Cameron Leonard and Reggie Troutman all have 12 stops while Terrell Gordon, Jr. has 11. 

Zamarian Williams and Akeem White both have 2.5 tackles for loss while Adonis Brazil and Wadson Dieudonne have 2.0 tackles per loss each. Brazil also has 2 sacks and Leonard has 1 interception.

Chase Butler has 19 punts and averages 38.68 yards with a long of 60 yards. Joshua Woodley has made both of his field goal attempts, making kicks of 41 and 43 yards and 4 of 5 on extra point attempts.

Trenton Rhodes has returned 20 kicks for 349 yards and averages 17.45 per return.

SCOUTING MILES
Miles entered the 2026 season looking to rebound their 3-8 record they finished with a year ago. The Golden Bears were predicted to finish 7th in the SIAC this year and defensive lineman Javontae Cooper was named to the preseason all conference squad.

Anthony Mix came off the bench last week to lead Miles to a 27-14 win over Clark Atlanta, accounting for 246 yards and two touchdowns. the redshirt senior finished the game passing for 84 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 162 yards and a touchdown. Mix will lead a offense that averages 19.5 points and 294.8 yards a game. Roderick Thomas has ran for 116 yards and a touchdown while Lavarian Logan has 90 yards to his credit. Receiving threats include James Gatewood (5 rec for 245 yards), Jaiden Jones (13 rec. for 142 yards) and Glen Willaims (11 rec. for 126 yards).

Defensive back Antonio White anchors a defense that gives up 36 points and 368.3 yards a night with 26 tackles. Edge Kingston Lowe has 18 tackles, 4.5 TFL and 2 sacks while Gary Byers and Tre Jones have 16 tackles apiece.
Rourke Davis made made 9 of 10 extra point attempts and Scottie Jackson is averaging 37.7 yards per punt. Jaecyn Myles averages 23 yards on kick returns and Andre Gianopoulos averages 18.14 yards on kick returns.

STAY CONNECTED
For complete coverage of Savannah State University Athletics, follow the Tigers on social media @SavStateTigers on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Formerly Known As Twitter), or visit the official online home of SSU Athletics at http://ssuathletics.com.