VUL Dragons Spoil Fort Valley State Wildcats Home Opener

FORT VALLEY, Georgia  – In a game delayed at the start by almost two hours, the Wildcats had another tough start when they took the field and failed to capitalize in the second half to fully turn the tide. Virginia University at Lynchburg spoiled the Fort Valley State football Home Opener Saturday night, 31-14, in a damp Wildcat Stadium.

Trailing 17-7 late in the third quarter, the Wildcats (1-4) offense drove 63 yards to the Dragons (2-3) one yardline. On fourth-and-goal, the visitors defense stopped the FVSU rush attempt for no gain. Virginia Lynchburg took over on offense and quarterback Elijah Stewart found Jevon Green on the left sideline on the first play and saw his receiver navigate through a few FVSU defenders and went 99 yards for touchdown. The Wildcats failed to regain the momentum and were unable to cut into the 17-point margin over the final 16:55 of the contest.

BOX SCORE

After tough-going first half, the Wildcats were able to move in the second half and outgained the Dragons, 324-217 off 19 more snaps. FVSU, though hurt themselves all night with 18 penalties for 163 yards, including a hold on the second-half opening kick-offs to call back a 90-yard Jeffery Mack kick return touchdown, and the game's lone two turnovers, which led to two VUL touchdowns.

The FVSU defense held the team in the game in the first half, including an early first-and-goal stand from its own four yardline to hold Virginia Lynchburg to a 35-yard field goal. The Wildcat defenders registered 14 tackles for a loss of 58 yards and four sacks.

Camron Young, Stacy Ivey Jr., and Malcolm Garrett paced the defense with seven tackles with each having at least one tackle for loss. Kei'Jne Thomas added two sacks, three tackles for loss and six total stops, while Niykiem Floyd and three tackles for loss of his six tackles.

Offensively, Garrel Quainton connected on 19 of 28 pass attempts for 232 yards with one score and an interception and a fumble. Willie Jordan rushed for 60 yards on 14 totes. Adrian Adams pulled in four passes for 54 yards and AJ Shipman four of his own for 35 yards.

Jeremy McCants scored the first FVSU touchdown from three yards out with 10:45 left in the third quarter. Quainton hit Jamari Clark in the left side and saw the running back dive into the corner of the end zone for the other score with 4:25 left in the game.

The VUL wide out combo of Johnny Rembert and Javon Green combined for six catches for 192 yards and four touchdowns.

FVSU returns to Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action next Saturday night, Oct. 6, against Clark Atlanta. The home game will begin at 6 p.m.

FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY WILDCATS SPORTS INFORMATION