By: FVSU Office of Sports Information
If it’s true that the hardest step in the journey is the first, then the Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) took their first full stride toward their goal of a 2010 NCAA Division II football crown with a 24-3 win over the Golden Bears of Miles College in the season opener. In the launch of a season in which the Wildcats have defined success as a national title, FVSU had to navigate only a few potholes on their way to their first conference win.
Played at Alumni Stadium on the Miles campus, the first few minutes of the game was primarily a battle of field position. That changed with 7:58 remaining in the first quarter when the Wildcats notched their first touchdown of the season. Senior running back Brandon Anderson capped a four play, 24 yard Wildcat drive with a 13 yard touchdown run. In addition to the touchdown scamper, Anderson’s first half numbers included seven carries for 41 yards.
While the Wildcat defense was busy holding the Bears to just 41 yards of total offense in the first half, it was the Wildcats punt return team that was responsible for putting more scoring distance between the teams. In doing so, First Team All-SIAC return specialist An’thon Harris showed exactly why he’s deserving of his conference status. With the formation of a blocking wedge to his left that would make any special teams coach proud, the speedy Harris wasted little time pressing the FVSU advantage with an explosive 46 yard return for touchdown.
With the Wildcats leading 14-0 at halftime, neither team scored in the third quarter. In the fourth, FVSU mounted an eight play, 68 yard drive. While the drive did not lead to a touchdown, it did lead to Justin Rosenbaum’s first field goal of the season. After missing earlier on a 30 yard attempt in the third quarter, Rosenbaum’s 29-yard conversion came with 13:35 left in the fourth and gave the Wildcats a 17-0 lead.
Later in the fourth quarter, the Bears got their first points of the season. A Patton Chambers field goal with 9:21 left cut the Wildcat lead to 17-3.
On the ensuing drive the Wildcats provided a quick response. Junior running back Denzel Wesley took advantage of a solid blocking scheme by the Wildcats offensive line on his way to 47 yard touchdown run. The score came with 7:39 remaining in the game and was Wesley’s first of the year. That score extended the Wildcat lead to 24-3 and assured FVSU that the first mile of their journey toward a Division II title was complete.
On offense, the Wildcats presented a balance of run and pass. Of the 215 yards of total offense, 131 yards came on the ground and 84 yards threw the air. Defensively, the Wildcats held the Bears to minus one yards in rushing and 142 yards in passing.
FVSU running backs Denzel Wesley and Brandon Anderson ran for 53 and 50 yards, respectively; each with a touchdown. Quarterbacks Nicholas Stephens and Sean Frezell
combined for a 12 completion night on 30 attempts. Five of those passes were caught by junior wide receiver Tony Davis for 63 yards.
An’thon Harris had four punt returns totaling 86 yards; including the 46 yard return for touchdown. Punter Marquette King averaged 39.6 yards per punt with a long of 48 yards.
The second leg of the Wildcats journey to the NCAA Division II Football Championship does not require them to leave Fort Valley. FVSU will host the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College on Saturday, September 4 at 6 p.m. at Wildcat Stadium. In addition to the gridiron clash, the night will include a tribute to the Armed Forces of the United States.
For ticket information on FVSU’s Military Appreciation Day, please visit www.wildcatsticketoffice.com.
-Wildcats Athletics-
