Savannah State Wins First Game of Season

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Jaylen McCloud rushed for a career-high 132 yards and scored a touchdown to help Savannah State beat Norfolk State 27-9, in a game played at Dick Price Stadium.

The crowd of 17,218 saw the Tigers snap a ten game losing streak as well as win their first road game since 2011.

Savannah State had their best offensive and defensive effort of the season. The Tigers produced 382 yards of offense while holding NSU to just nine points.

Norfolk State, who was celebrating their Homecoming, scored on their first possession of the contest when Jwan Carter ran for a three yard touchdown with seven minutes left in the first quarter. The Spartans led 6-0 after Bo Lomax missed the extra point attempt.

The Tigers (1-7,-4 MEAC) found pay-dirt on their third drive of the second quarter when D;Vonn Gibbons threw a 19 yard touchdown pass to Derek Kirkland. Giovanni Lugo's extra point attempt was blocked and the scored was knotted at 6-6 with 16 seconds remaining before intermission. During the eight play, 48 yard possession, Kirkland caught a 14 yard pass from Gibbons.

Late in the third quarter a 24 yard punt return by JaMichael Baldwin gave SSU a first and ten from their own 48. That led to McCloud's five yard touchdown run with 18 seconds left in the quarter. Lugo's extra point kick was good and the Tigers led 13-6. McCloud had a 18 yard run on that scoring drive.

Norfolk State pulled within 13-9 when their first drive of the fourth quarter stalled at the SSU ten. Josh Nardone kicked a 27 yard field goal to draw the Spartans within four with 8:32 remaining.

Savannah State's Elijah Shah returned the ensuing kickoff 30 yards to the SSU 41 which set up a two yard touchdown run by Gibbons with 4:20 left. McCloud ripped off a 12 yard run on that drive and Gibbons threw a 24 yard completion to Tyler Hagan. Lugo's extra point kick increased the Tigers lead to 20-9.

Norfolk State's next possession was stopped after SSU's Donald Rutledge intercepted a pass and returned it 22 yards to the Spartan 37.

That set up a five yard touchdown run by Nicholas Bentley with 52 seconds left to cap a six play, 47 yard drive. Lugo's extra point sealed the 27-9 victory. Bently had a nine yard run on the possession and McCloud had a 22 yard scamper.

Gibbons added 89 yards yards on the ground while completing 11 of 17 passes for 120 yards. Baldwin caught four passes for 46 yards while Kirkland hauled in two receptions for 33 yards. Isaiah Bennett led the SSU defense with nine tackles.

Both teams had balanced offensive attacks. SSU had 22 first downs while running for 262 of their 382 offensive yards while the Spartans had 20 first downs. 179 of their 302 yards came via the air.

Savannah State also scored each time they reached the red zone (4 for 4).

SSU's only flaws were getting nine penalties for 80 yards and giving up five sacks.

CJ Jones led the Spartans (3-5, 3-2 MEAC) run game with 51 yards, Carter threw for 150 yards while Marcus Taylor had seven receptions for 43 yards. Anthony Smith was in on ten tackles.

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