Wildcats Harness Thorobreds for Homecoming Win
By: FVSU Office of Sports Information
Before a near capacity crowd at Wildcat Stadium, the Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) galloped past the Thorobreds of Kentucky State University (KSU) in the second half to win their homecoming game, 20-13. Trailing 10-7 at the intermission, FVSU scored two touchdowns in a rain-driven second half to claim the conference win.
The Thorobreds took the early lead when placekicker Cameron Lee converted a 25-yard field goal which capped a 15-play, 62-yard KSU drive. The drive was the opening offensive possession of the game and consumed 7:09.
The Wildcats nudged ahead of the Thorobreds in second quarter after senior quarterback Nathaniel Samas threw the first of two touchdown passes to wide receiver An’thon Harris. The first was a 10 yard pass which came at 10:37 in the second quarter to give the Wildcats their first lead of the game. The converted extra point by Justin Rosenbaum made it a 7-3 FVSU lead.
The Wildcat lead would last only thirty seconds. After two quick plays that covered 70 yards, the Thorobreds found themselves ahead once again. The 70-yard touchdown run by KSU’s Anthony Boykins was the game’s longest run from the line of scrimmage. With the added extra point, the Thorobreds led, 10-7.
After halftime, the intermittent showers become more pronounced at Wildcat Stadium. However, the wet conditions seemed not to deter the Wildcats. After receiving the kick off to start the third quarter, the Wildcats needed only one offensive play to reclaim the lead. An’thon Harris’ second touchdown grab of the day came at 14:43 in the third quarter. The touchdown pass from Samas to Harris covered 71 yards and gave the Wildcats a lead that they would not relinquish again. With the Rosenbaum point after, FVSU led 14-10.
In an attempt to answer the Wildcat second half touchdown, KSU mounted a 14-play, 56-yard drive lasting 5:51. The Wildcat defense stiffened at the FVSU 24 yard line and forced the Thorobreds to settle for a 34-yard field goal instead of a touchdown. Lee’s conversion closed the Wildcat lead to one point, 14-13.
The thin FVSU margin lasted until late in the fourth quarter. Sensing that the Thorobreds were too close for comfort, the Wildcats mounted a 9-play, 69-yard drive with 4:31 left in the game. The drive ended when Samas made his third touchdown pass of the game. This time it was tight end Rodriquez Render who made the grab. The 19 yard touchdown pass provided enough distance for the Wildcats to claim a 20-13 win.
The Wildcat homecoming win was highlighted by An’thon Harris’ five receptions, two of which were for touchdowns. In addition, he returned five punts for 92 yards with the longest being 54 yards. Render also finished with five receptions for FVSU. During the game, quarterback Nathaniel Samas completed passes to five different Wildcat receivers on his way to a 15 of 31 performance totaling 211 yards with three touchdowns.
The Wildcats are now 6-4 overall and 5-3 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). FVSU concludes the 2009 regular season next Saturday, November 7th when they meet the SIAC leading Golden Rams of Albany State University in the 20th Annual Fountain City Classic at 1:30 p.m. at McClung-Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Georgia. For ticket information to the Fountain City Classic, call 478-825-6532.
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