Fort Valley State University Releases 2011 Football Schedule

Fort Valley, GA - The Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) will face one of its most challenging seasons with the announcement of its' 2011 football schedule. The rigorous campaign includes trips to two of the most popular Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) programs in the nation, Florida A&M University (FAMU) and Bethune Cookman University (BCU).

This year's meeting between FVSU and FAMU will be the first since the Wildcats upset the Rattlers (19-14) in Tallahassee in 1984. When FVSU travels to...

Fla. A&M, Delta St. and Bethune Cookman highlight FVSU's 2011 football schedule

Fort Valley State University (FVSU) enters the 2011 football campaign with an exponentially more difficult schedule on paper with the addition of two teams from the always-tough Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Bethune Cookman and Florida A&M.

Both Bethune Cookman and FAMU finished with identical 7 and 1 conference records in 2010 and pose a serious challenge for the upcoming season.

Wildcats in for a "Wild' ride in 2011 Football Season

Fort Valley, GA – The Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) will face one of its most challenging seasons with the announcement of its’ 2011 football schedule. The rigorous campaign includes trips to two of the most popular Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) programs in the nation, Florida A&M University (FAMU) and Bethune Cookman University (BCU).

This year’s meeting between FVSU and FAMU will be the first since the Wildcats upset the Rattlers (19-14) in Tallahassee in 1984. When FVSU travels to Daytona Beach to meet the Wildcats of BCU, they will be playing the defending co-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Champions. BCU shared the 2010 title with FAMU and South Carolina State University. The last time FVSU and BCU played was in 1964.

The 2011 schedule also features a bout between the FVSU Wildcats and region opponent, the Statesmen of Delta State University of the Gulf South Conference. The match up will be played at Wildcat Stadium and is the first between the two schools since the Wildcats defeated the Statesmen in the first round of the 1998 NCAA Division II Playoffs.

The start of the 2011 also marks the beginning of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) transition to an East/West Divisional format with the winner of each division competing for the conference title on November 12th in Columbus, Ga.

As a member of the East division, FVSU will play seven conference games in 2011.

Conference match ups include away games at Clark Atlanta University, Benedict College, and Kentucky State University. Home, conference contests include visits to Wildcat Stadium by Tuskegee University, Morehouse College, and Stillman College. The October 22nd game against Stillman College has been designated as Homecoming 2011 for the Wildcats.

The Wildcats will conclude the regular season on November 5th in the 22nd Annual Fountain City Classic when they meet the Golden Rams of Albany State University at McClung Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Ga.



“Talk about a challenging schedule! This is about as demanding as they come,” said third-year FVSU Head Coach Donald Pittman. “The combination of two FCS schools, a region opponent who made last year’s NCAA playoffs, and an always tough conference schedule, provides us with an opportunity to show just how competitive FVSU football can truly be. While challenging, we embrace the chance for a real breakout season for Wildcats Football. From start to finish, this will be an exciting year for the Wildcats.”

Those wishing to reserve tickets for the 2011 season can contact the FVSU Cashier's Office at 478-825-6433 or go to the following link on FVSU's website: http://www.wildcatticketoffice.com.

2011 FVSU Football Schedule

DATE OPPONENT CONFERENCE GAME HOME / AWAY LOCATION TIME
9/3/2011 Florida A&M University A Tallahassee, FL 6 p.m.
9/10/2011 Delta State University H Fort Valley, GA 6 p.m.
9/17/2011 Clark Atlanta University * A Atlanta, GA 2 p.m.
9/24/2011 Benedict College * A Columbus, SC 6 p.m.
10/1/2011 Tuskegee University * H Fort Valley, GA 6 p.m.
10/8/2011 Kentucky State University * A Frankfort, KY 1 p.m.
10/15/2011 Bethune Cookman University A Daytona Beach, FL TBA
10/22/2011 Stillman College (Homecoming) * H Fort Valley, GA 2 p.m.
10/29/2011 Morehouse College(Senior Day)* * H Fort Valley, GA 6 p.m.
11/5/2011 Albany State (22nd Annual Fountain City Classic)*N Columbus, GA 2 p.m.
11/12/2011 SIAC Championship * N TBA TBA

By: FVSU Office of Sports Information
LINK: FVSUSPORTS


READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Fort Valley State University In Familiar Territory

The Fort Valley State Women's Basketball team is in familiar territory; sitting near the top of the SIAC standings, after being picked to win the conference.

Lonnie Bartley's team is 6-1 in league play, tied for second with Albany State. The Lady Wildcats returned 10 players this year, including preseason all-conference selection Kendra Evans. That's why coach says his team was picked to win the SIAC.

Bartley isn't so quick to call the conference crown theirs to lose, especially after last year's quarterfinal loss in the SIAC tourney. FVSU has also gotten off to a relatively slow start, at 8-5 on the year.



READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

SIAC Basketball: Fort Valley State Lady Wildcats top Albany State Lady Rams

Kendra Evans doesn’t care much for sitting on the bench. But after picking up two early fouls in the first half, that’s exactly what she did Saturday against Albany State. But the second half was a different story.

Evans spearheaded an 11-0 run to start the second half, scoring seven points and giving the Lady Wildcats the lead, and then she came up with two steals and two assists in the final three minutes to lead her team to a come from behind 74-69 win. The win improves the Lady Wildcats to 6-1 in the SIAC, while it was the Lady Rams’ first loss in the conference.

Stillman rallies past Claflin

ORANGEBURG, S.C. - Senior point guard Rakee Anderson scored 32 points on Saturday, and the Stillman College men's basketball team rallied to defeat Claflin 75-75 in a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game. Stillman, 6-3 overall and 5-2 in league play, trailed 43-31 at halftime. Anderson started the second half by nailing three 3-point shots.

He went 10-for-17 from the field, 8-for-11 on 3-point tries and 4-for-6 from the foul line. He also had three assists and two rebounds. Senior LaJay Sears, a guard and forward, added 13 points. He collected seven rebounds and had five assists and two steals. Guard Lee Riley had 10 points, three rebounds and three assists. Center Kevin Johnson, who scored eight points, grabbed six rebounds.

KSU takes doubleheader from Paine College

It took two overtimes to finish, but the Kentucky State men’s basketball team overcame a 15-point deficit to defeat Paine College 94-87 at Carter Gymnasium in Augusta, Ga. on Saturday. The win moves the Thorobreds to 7-1 on the season with the same record in the SIAC.

KSU managed to keep it close until the 4:45 mark of the first half, when their 24-23 deficit became a 35-23 lead for Paine following a 11-0 run by the Lions to end the half. The teams were relatively even at the midway point, as both squads pulled down 17 rebounds. However, two fewer turnovers for KSU didn’t translate into a lead for the Thorobreds, who committed nine to Paine’s 11.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Albany State, Morehouse, Shaw Enter D-II Playoff Picture

For the first time in SIAC history, two schools will play in the NCAA Division II playoffs in the same year. Albany State and Morehouse were selected to Region II for the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Shaw, which defeated Virginia State Saturday for its third CIAA championship in four years, is the lone conference representative. Both St. Augustine's and Winston-Salem State, which had hoped for at-large bids, were left out.



D-II PLAYOFFS: ASU retains No. 1 seed, will face Morehouse-Wingate winner Nov. 27 in Albany

ATLANTA — The NCAA Division II football playoff pairings were announced Sunday and two SIAC teams, Albany State and Morehouse — for the first time in conference history — both earned berths to the postseason.

For the first time since 2004, Albany State finished a perfect 10-0 in the regular season and No. 1 in the region. The Rams, who won their first SIAC title since 2006, will have a bye in the first-round of the playoffs and host the winner of Wingate/Morehouse on Nov. 27 at noon.

Morehouse, which finished 8-2 in the regular season...

Fort Valley State Wildcats left out of playoffs

Donald Pittman wanted two things the past few days. He got one of them. Two teams ahead of Pittman and Fort Valley State in the NCAA Division II Super Region 2 lost in their regular-season finales.

Region No. 2 Valdosta State lost 24-21 on Thursday to West Alabama, but the Blazers were highly unlikely to drop out of the top six in the region. Then on Saturday, region No. 4 North Alabama fell 29-28 to Harding in Gulf South Conference play. "They lost, and we said, ‘We have a chance,’ ” Pittman said. “But it didn’t happen.”

Upon further review, Morehouse in playoffs for first time

The Morehouse football team showed some brashness in holding another party on a playoff selection Sunday after last year’s collective kick in the groin. However, this year's festive gathering didn’t end with a thud when the last playoff team was picked: Morehouse (8-2) will play at Wingate (8-2) on Saturday. Albany State, No. 1 seed in Super Region 2, awaits the winner.

The Maroon Tigers, left out of the postseason last year, had to wait until mid-afternoon to find out if this season would continue.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

FVSU Wildcats looking to keep things clean on road

FORT VALLEY, GA — The MUFLY tour is done for Fort Valley State. The Wildcats have made up for last year — aka MUFLY — by avenging 2009’s conference losses with consecutive wins over Benedict, Clark Atlanta and Tuskegee.

Now, for two weeks, the mantra might as well be TCOB — as in take care of business. And that starts with Saturday’s long road trip to Kentucky State. FVSU is 6-1 overall and 5-1 in conference action, sharing second with Morehouse, both a game behind unbeaten (7-0, 6-0) Albany State. The Wildcats will be keeping their ears open to in-game scoring updates at Alumni Stadium, since Morehouse hosts Albany State with the same 2 p.m. kickoff Saturday.

KSU's Derrick Addai proves he's more than Joseph Addai's little brother

Saturday afternoon will be a day of lasts for Kentucky State senior linebacker Derrick Addai. Last game at Alumni Stadium, last day to excite Thorobred nation with a jarring tackle or interception, last pre-game fight with nerves in the KSU locker room. But in spite of all the lasts, it’s the first that may stand out the most.

Football was an unexpected path for the 22-year-old defensive standout. Derrick never played the game until his senior year at Sharptown High School in Houston, Texas. By his second season with the Breds he had become the team leader in tackles. This year he is leading the entire SIAC in the category.

Derrick’s a conference standout, no doubt; one that should get a shot to play on Sundays. Maybe that’s not as surprising considering his cheering section for Saturday’s 1 p.m. Senior Day game against Fort Valley State, which will include his older sister Josephine and older brother Joseph.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLES.

FVSU Wildcats gain their homecoming revenge

FORT VALLEY, GA — About two-thirds of the way through the third quarter, running back Aaron Courtney was stopped at the line, but he disposed of the two Benedict tacklers who had him wrapped up and raced 22 yards for a touchdown.

That gave Fort Valley State a two-touchdown lead, and the Wildcats could breathe a little bit. Homecoming appeared to be saved, and the weekend would be a good one for FVSU. FVSU’s defense surrendered only a few big plays and the Wildcats blocked two punts and rolled past Benedict 41-13 on Saturday afternoon at Wildcat Stadium.

The crowd was announced at 12,455 watched FVSU improve to 4-1 overall and 3-1 in SIAC play. Benedict fell to 1-5 and 1-4.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Smith leads FVSU to 56-2 rout over Stillman

FORT VALLEY, GA — Eugene Smith has waited a long time for his Fort Valley State debut. He was in school last year but didn’t play. And assorted paperwork and administrative issues kept him off the field for FVSU’s first three games. His debut was the kind one dreams of.

“It’s about time,” the 6-foot-3 quarterback said. “It’s been a long time. The strong right-hander had 167 yards worth of touchdown passes before halftime as FVSU rolled past Stillman 56-2 on Saturday night at Wildcat Stadium.

FVSU improved to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the SIAC while Stillman fell to 0-4 overall and in conference play. The Wildcats are off before hosting Benedict on Oct. 2 for homecoming.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Wesley makes most of his chance with FVSU Wildcats

FORT VALLEY, GA — Denzel Wesley was late for practice Tuesday and stretched while the offense started its drills. But Wesley’s tardiness was more than acceptable. He had to finish a class, and it ended after football practice at Fort Valley State had started on this particular afternoon.

A year ago, it wasn’t a problem. Wesley’s grades weren’t good enough for him to suit up, and he had to watch. Now, he’s making the most of the new opportunity. “He has taken control of that position,” head coach and offensive coordinator Donald Pittman said. “He’s tough. He has speed and quickness. He can take it all the way at any moment.”

READ MORE, CLICK MORE.

Fort Valley State overpowers Savannah State

Savannah State was in need of a win, and so was Fort Valley State. Both teams were coming off losses that left a different flavor of bitter tastes, and each wanted to get rid of it as soon as possible. The Wildcats will enjoy their meals Sunday a lot more than the Tigers.

FVSU scored 41 straight points and shut the door on the Savannah State offense for the final three quarters en route to a 41-10 win Saturday afternoon at Henderson Stadium.
The Wildcats, 47-34 losers at home last week to Morehouse, improved to 2-1 with the win over the FCS Tigers, who dropped to 0-2. FVSU outgained Savannah State 345-131 and ran 73 plays to 56 for the Tigers.

Final: Division II Fort Valley State 41, SSU 10

Fort Valley State scored 41 unanswered points to beat Savannah State, 41-10, in the Music City Classic at Henderson Stadium in Macon on Saturday. FVSU, an NCAA Division II team, improved to 2-1. SSU, a member of the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA), dropped to 0-2.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLES.

FVSU loses home opener to Morehouse

FORT VALLEY, GA — Morehouse took advantage of a variety of Fort Valley State mistakes and made the Wildcats’ defense work extra in downing FVSU 47-34 on Saturday night at Wildcat Stadium. FVSU fell to 1-1 while Morehouse improved to 2-0, the same for both in SIAC play. The Wildcats play Savannah State on Saturday at Henderson Stadium in Macon.

Morehouse avenged last year’s 36-13 loss by coming out strong, making FVSU pay for mistakes and then holding off the Wildcats’ rallies throughout the night. The Maroon Tigers won 38-35 at FVSU in 2008.



READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Fort Valley State opens with win over Miles Golden Bears

FAIRFIELD, Ala. — With its starting quarterback, running back and left tackle all injured for the season opener against Miles, Fort Valley State knew its defense had to dominate. Miles quarterback Carlton Hill can attest that the Wildcats did just that.



A relentless Fort Valley State defensive front seven kept Hill under pressure all game and helped limit the Golden Bears to 141 yards of offense in a 24-3 road victory Saturday. “Offensively, we knew we were going to struggle,” Fort Valley State head coach Donald Pittman said. “Defensively, we knew we were going to control the game.”

Hill never could get comfortable in the pocket while completing 16-of-33 passes for 135 yards. The Wildcats entered halftime with only 36 yards passing, couldn’t sustain scoring drives in the final two quarters and finished the game with minus-3 rushing yards.

FVSU Wildcats dealing with issues of early start

When Fort Valley State head football coach Donald Pittman got the chance earlier this month to get ahead of things as far as classes and registration for his players, he was ecstatic. “It’s huge,” he said. “You can focus on the season.”

But he also knew that there odds were long that the Wildcats would have absolutely everybody in uniform for the season opener Saturday at Miles, mostly because of assorted paperwork and transcript issues regarding transfers and players regaining eligibility. And he was right.

The Wildcats did get some key players back on the practice field recently, like wideout...

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

FVSU Enters Year Two Under Pittman

The FVSU Wildcats had their uniforms on Saturday afternoon, but won't do so in a true game situation until August 28th. Instead, it was picture day at Fort Valley St., another sign that the football season is fast approaching. For the blue and gold that means year two under head coach Donald Pittman, who guided the Wildcats to a 7-4 mark in 2009.



In year two Pittman has a squad that features seven preseason all-conference picks, and plans to go beyond their projected 3rd place finish in the SIAC. Both players and coach say their familiarity with one another in season two will help them do just that. "We know each other, we know the different temperaments, we know what kids we can really approach in a certain way," Pittman said. "We became more of a team, we're a family now."

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

FVSU Wildcats make their return to practice field

FORT VALLEY, GA — The first day of football practice at Fort Valley State was like most of the ones at nearly every college throughout the land: fairly routine and injury-free. Everybody head coach Donald Pittman expected to be in uniform was there Wednesday for the first day of practice, and the returning Wildcats came back in shape. But Pittman and his staff will have a little less stress as they prepare for the season and the opener Aug. 28 at Miles College.

“I’ll tell you what the most important part of it is,” said Pittman, beginning his second season at FVSU. “The president, Dr. (Larry) Rivers, he gave us an opportunity to come in two days before (camp) started and gave us the chance to register and get cleared and do all of those things.

“We don’t have to worry about that at the end. It’s all cleared now.” Pittman and his predecessors regularly went through August camp with players having to wait on a variety of administrative and financial aid issues to be cleared with players. And often, some of those matters weren’t taken care of before the season started, so a player might miss a game or more.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Fort Valley State Lady Wildcats Twin Tracking

Two-times All-American distance runner Raven Wilson, Fort Valley State University Lady Wildcats had a tremendous season competing with her three-times All-American sister, Portia. The freshman twins are from Carrollton High School, Carrollton, GA and are hitting the books hard in summer school.

In the rare instances in which Portia and Raven Wilson are not side by side, people at Fort Valley State University seem confused. Even shocked. The fraternal twins and Carrollton natives recently finished their freshman seasons with the school’s nationally-ranked Division II track and field team, and were almost always together.

“If someone sees one of us and doesn’t see the other, they say, ‘Where’s your sister?’” Portia Wilson said. “Every time people see us, they always see us together,” added Raven Wilson. “We’ve always been real close.” That closeness — the two often even wear the same outfit — helped the former Lady Trojan track standouts settle in quickly with the Wildcats and earn All-American honors in the spring outdoor season.

Portia Wilson swept the 100 and 200-meter dashes individually, while also being a part of the 400-meter relay and 1,600-meter relay events at the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships in April before finishing fourth in the 100-meter final at Nationals in May. She was the lone freshman on the medal stand. Raven Wilson competed with her sister in the relay events, helping Fort Valley State finish fifth in the 1,600-meter relay and sixth in the 400-meter relay at Nationals, breaking school records in the process. “I think we do our best if we are together,” Portia Wilson said.

Tiffany B. Moore, Portia Wilson, Latonya Payne and Raven Wilson: 2010 NCAA Division II Track & Field Championships Women 4x400 Relay Final


Tiffany B. Moore , Portia Wilson , Tasha Burke , Raven Wilson: 2010 NCAA Division II Track & Field Championships W4x100 Relay Final.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Out of the shadows: Legendary Grambling assistant built Hall of Fame resume as a head coach too

GRAMBLING — Until this week, Douglas Porter was most often referred to as a former assistant under Grambling State’s mythical Eddie Robinson.

Porter stood, without complaint, inside the dark outline of that coaching legend’s shadow — despite having assembled a terrific, if seldom decorated, career of his own.

“That couldn’t have been easy with a person of his skill,” said James “Shack” Harris, Porter’s first quarterbacking protégé at GSU. “He was able to do it without ego, and to do it well.”

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Former FVSU, Howard, MVSU head coach picked for Hall of Fame

Former Fort Valley State head football coach Doug Porter is one of six coaches and players who will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this summer.

The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame made the announcement Wednesday about the inductees, who represent the FCS, Divisions II and III in the NCAA and the NAIA.

"I am very grateful to all of the coaches and players that helped me receive this honor, because without them, this could not have happened," Porter said in a statement. "I also want to thank all of the various administrations that have been supportive of our athletic program."

Porter is joined by coaching colleague W.C. Gorden of Jackson (Miss.) State and former players Jim Ballard (Mount Union, Ohio, 1991-93), Ronald McKinnon (North Alabama, 1992-95), John Randle (Texas A&M-Kingsville, 1988-89) and Brad Rowland (McMurry, Texas, College, 1947-50).

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

SSU's record on sacks gets busted

By Noell Barnidge, Savannah Morning News

Attendance: 6, 109

FORT VALLEY - Savannah State is no longer No. 1 in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) in the sacks allowed category.
SSU entered Saturday's game against Fort Valley State having not given up a sack through three games, and the Tigers were tied with Yale, which had not given up a sack through two games.

But FVSU's defense sacked SSU quarterback Greg McCrary five times for minus-44 yards in the Wildcats' 33-2 victory.

"Obviously, we were not ready to come in here and play," SSU second-year coach Theo Lemon said. "We showed that. We didn't play well on either side of the ball, offensively or defensively, or on special teams. We fumbled the ball too many times and we just didn't execute."

Where's Trent?
Trent Newton, who transferred to FVSU after leading SSU in tackles in each of the past two seasons, did not dress for Saturday's game.

Newton, a linebacker from Lakeland, Fla., is being redshirted this season, according to FVSU sports information director Russell Boone.

Ominous trend
When SSU running back Reginald May fumbled during the Tigers' first drive of the game it marked the second consecutive game that SSU has lost the ball to start the game.

SSU quarterback JaCorey Kilcrease fumbled two weeks ago against Bethune-Cookman.

Where's Garrett?
FVSU junior Garrett Williams did not start at quarterback for the first time this season for the Wildcats (4-2).

Williams, who was SSU's starting quarterback in each of the past two seasons, was intercepted four times the previous Saturday in a 34-3 loss at Tuskegee (Ala.) University.

FVSU second-year coach Deondri Clark started Nate Samas, a sophomore from Americus, against SSU.

"He had a better week in practice," Clark said of Samas.
Williams started the second half because Clark said he felt Samas was struggling. FVSU staked a 10-0 lead at halftime.

Lemon said he was not surprised that Williams did not start the game.

"He threw four interceptions last week," Lemon said. "I didn't expect him to start. But I expected to see him at some point in the game, and we did."

Williams ran for a 9-yard touchdown in the third quarter to give FVSU a 16-0 lead. It was his first collegiate rushing touchdown.

NFL-type hit

SSU defensive back Javorris Jackson, whose brother, Grady, is a defensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons, delivered the fiercest hit of the season when he leveled FVSU wide receiver Melvin Atueyi to break up a pass in the second quarter.

Jackson, a 6-foot-4, 216-pound junior transfer from Southfield, Mich., hit Atueyi so hard that he sent the 6-foot-5, 205-pound senior's helmet flying. Atueyi needed the assistance of two FVSU trainers in order to hobble off the field.

FVSU's FSU connection

Clark, defensive coordinator Dedrick Dodge, and defensive line coach Carl Simpson all played at Florida State under legendary coach Bobby Bowden.

Clark, a former defensive lineman, helped the Seminoles to a 42-7 record during his four-year career. FSU also won four consecutive bowl games and never finished lower than fourth in The Associated Press poll.

Saturday, Clark wore a bow-tie, his trademark.

Before arriving at FVSU, Clark was the head coach at Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C. He helped to revive the Bears' football program, which had been dormant from 1979 until 2002. Clark guided Shaw to a 7-3 record in 2003, his inaugural season, a 10-2 record in 2004 and a 4-3 record in 2005.

Last season, his first at FVSU, the Wildcats finished 5-6.

Series record

FVSU is 34-11-4 against SSU. Before Saturday's game, the last time the teams played was 2002 - SSU's final year in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference - and FVSU won, 25-6.

SSU has not beaten FVSU since 2000, when the Tigers won, 37-13.