Savannah State and North Carolina A&T Football to play at Appalachian State

Boone, N.C.  - Six home games, including three in September, and a season-opening contest versus one of college football’s most powerful programs highlights Appalachian State University’s 2011 football schedule, which was announced by ASU director of athletics Charlie Cobb on Monday.

Appalachian opens the 2011 campaign at Virginia Tech. The season-opening matchup pits two of only three NCAA Division I programs that have won at least 10 games each of the last six years (Ohio State is the third). Despite being separated by less than 150 miles, the Mountaineers and Hokies are squaring off for only the fourth time ever and the first time since 1982.

Virginia Tech won each of the three previous meetings between the programs, all of which took place at VT’s Lane Stadium in a four-year span from 1979-82 (the teams did not meet in 1980). The Mountaineers are 7-27-1 all-time against current members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Following the opener at Virginia Tech, ASU settles in for a very rare string of three-consecutive home games, beginning with the home opener on Sept. 10 versus North Carolina A&T, followed by a Sept. 17 date against another Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foe in Savannah State and the Sept. 24 Southern Conference opener versus Chattanooga.

The three-consecutive games at Kidd Brewer Stadium, where ASU has led FCS in regular-season attendance for each of the past four years, mark only the third time in Appalachian’s 82-year football history that the Mountaineers will play regular-season home games on three-straight Saturdays (the Apps also played at home on three-consecutive weekends in Sept. 1957 and Sept. 1981).

2011 APPALACHIAN STATE FOOTBALL REGULAR-SEASON SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Site All-Time Series Last Meeting
Sept. 3 at Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Va.VT leads, 3-0 VT 34, ASU 0 (Oct. 23, 1982)
Sept. 10 North Carolina A&T Boone, N.C. ASU leads, 4-1 ASU 38, A&T 31 (Sept. 16, 1995)
Sept. 17 Savannah State Boone, N.C. First Meeting

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SSU’s Davenport remains a one-man coaching staff

SSU’s Davenport remains a one-man coaching staff

With National Signing Day eight days away (Feb. 2), Savannah State University’s football program remains a one-man coaching staff. Steve Davenport, formerly the running backs coach at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, was hired Jan. 7 to replace Julius Dixon, the Tigers’ interim head coach since Jan. 28, 2010.

Davenport has not hired any assistant coaches, SSU sports information director Opio Mashariki said in an e-mail Sunday in response to an inquiry from the Savannah Morning News.

SSU gets verbal from Duluth LB

Justin Dixon, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound linebacker at Duluth High School, has verbally committed to play football at Savannah State University, the Gwinnett Daily Post reported.

Dixon, Duluth’s leading tackler the past two seasons, was named to the All-Region 7-AAAAA second team last season as a linebacker. He made 98 tackles, including two sacks, last season. As a junior, Dixon made 120 tackles, including two sacks.

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Savannah State University Hires Davenport To Lead Football Program

Davenport said the SSU job appealed to him because of the MEAC

SSU hires Davenport as new football coach

Excerpt:
Davenport was chosen from more than 200 applicants, SSU athletics director Marilynn Suggs said. He will be paid $125,000 annually - more than Wells ($90,000), Theo Lemon ($65,000), Richard Basil ($61,164) and Ken Pettiford ($61,000), the Tigers' coaches since moving up to the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) in 2002.

Suggs said a search committee, chaired by prominent booster Henry Nash, submitted a list of three finalists: Davenport, Jackson (Miss.) State University offensive coordinator Earnest Wilson and The Citadel running backs coach Everette Sands. They interviewed at SSU on Tuesday.

"And after meeting with them, the choice was clear," Suggs said. "After making my recommendation to the university president (Earl Yarbrough), who concurred, I contacted and offered this man."

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SSU OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE 

SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State University has hired Steve Davenport as the Tigers’ new head football coach, Athletics Director Marilynn Stacey-Suggs announced today.

Davenport’s appointment is effective immediately. He replaces Julius Dixon, who served as the interim coach for the 2010 season.

The Decatur, Ga., native comes to SSU from the University of Alabama-Birmingham where he served as the Blazers running back coach since December 2006.

While at UAB he also served as the Director of Community Relations, where he organized and facilitated all community service programs.

Davenport, 43, spent two years (2005-06) as the offensive coordinator at Rockdale County High School in Conyers, Ga. At Rockdale County, he joined a staff that previously went 1-9 in 2004 and finished runner-up in Region 8-AAAA, and advanced into the second round of the state playoffs.

He was the head coach at Decatur High School for two seasons (2003-04) and in 2003 was named the Georgia Class AA State Coach-of-the-Year as his team finished 13-1, losing in the state semifinals.


Videographer: KEN SLATS, WSAV 3

Davenport also spent four seasons (1997-2001) as the head coach at Redan High School in Lithonia, Ga., and served as the offensive coordinator at Southwest DeKalb High School in Atlanta from 1994-96, when the school won the 1995 Georgia State AAAAA state championship. He also worked as a defensive backs coach at Southwest DeKalb (1990-91) and helped the team reach the 1990 AAAA State Championship game.

Davenport was a graduate assistant coach at Georgia Tech during the1992 and 1993 seasons. Under head coach Bill Lewis, he assisted in coaching the wide receivers; served as assistant recruiting coordinator; aided in coordinating recruiting weekends, breaking down film and assisting in game plan preparations; and was responsible for the defensive scout team during practices.

Davenport was a four-year letterwinner as a player at Georgia Tech from 1985-88. He was a member of the Yellow Jacket team that defeated Michigan State in the 1985 All-American Bowl played at Legion Field.

A three-year starter at wide receiver, Davenport earned his undergraduate degree from Georgia Tech in 1990 and his master’s degree from Tech in 1994.

He is married to the former Stephanie Gilstrap.

From: SSU Press Release 1/7/2011

Suggs named Savannah State athletics director

Marilynn Stacey-Suggs on Thursday became Savannah State University's first female athletics director. "It's very special. I'm very proud of that fact," she said following a news conference at Tiger Arena in which SSU President Earl Yarbrough announced her promotion.

Suggs, 52, fills the position vacated by Bart Bellairs, who resigned Nov. 23, 2009, to become the athletics director at Southeastern Louisiana University. Bellairs was SSU's first white athletics director.

Suggs, the interim AD since Nov. 24, 2009, was among 52 applicants for the job. She was chosen over two other finalists: Nicole Green, Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance at the University of Memphis; and William Weidner, previously the Deputy Athletics Director at the University of San Francisco. Suggs will be paid $90,000 and will be...



Marilynn Stacey-Suggs named director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Savannah State

SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State University (SSU) President Earl G. Yarbrough Sr., Ph.D., today named Marilynn Stacey-Suggs as director of Intercollegiate Athletics effective Jan. 1, 2011.

Suggs, who has served as interim director of Intercollegiate Athletics since Jan. 2010, will be responsible for all matters related to managing Savannah State’s 16 NCAA Division I sport teams for men and women including budgeting; compliance with university, University System of Georgia and NCAA policies and rules; and fundraising for programmatic needs.

Suggs Named New AD at Savannah State

After a nationwide search, Savannah State University has settled on a familiar face to guide its athletic program. Interim Athletic Director Marilynn Stacey-Suggs was named to the post permanently today. Suggs has filled the role for nearly a year-- responsible for all matters related to SSU's 16 NCAA Division 1 sports teams.

In making the announcement, SSU President Dr. Earl Yarbrough said the chance to bring stability to the program set Suggs apart from more than 50 other applicants for the job. "I needed someone who was stable-- stability who could grow the program here. Someone who we know is loyal to Savannah State University," said Yarbrough.

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Savannah State's Dixon hopes to return as coach‎

Julius Dixon and his assistant coaches have turned their attention to next football season, when Savannah State University will compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. But the interim head coach is limited by what he can tell recruits because his own future is uncertain.

Dixon has been the Tigers' interim head coach since Jan. 28, the day Robby Wells was forced to resign. Dixon inherited an 11-game schedule this season that included the first nine games on the road because of construction to T.A. Wright Stadium, and no games on campus. SSU's final two games were played at Memorial Stadium.

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Branche runs for school rushing record as NSU rolls 42-6 over SSU

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The game ended, but there was one carry left to make. Norfolk State football players sprinted from their sideline to the middle of the field. As they jumped up and down at midfield, the Spartans' offensive linemen hoisted running back DeAngelo Branche on their shoulders.

The Spartans were celebrating their 42-6 victory over Savannah State and were rejoicing in Branche becoming Norfolk State's all-time leading rusher.

Branche, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound redshirt senior from Maury High School, ran 41 times for 233 yards and three touchdowns to set the record. The Norfolk native finished his career with 3,678 yards rushing on 741 carries, eclipsing the previous mark set by LaRue Harrington, who ran for 3,659 yards on 825 carries from 1976-79.


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FINAL: Norfolk State 42, Savannah State 6

Norfolk State University beat Savannah State University, 42-6, to spoil the Tigers' Homecoming on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Norfolk State (6-5) was led by senior running back DeAngelo Branche, who became the Spartans' all-time leading rusher. Branche ran for 233 yards and three touchdowns on 41 carries.

ATTENDANCE: 4967

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SSU's Johnson finds positives in everything

This is not at all what Dan Johnson envisioned when he graduated from Augusta's Glenn Hills High School and enrolled at Savannah State University. The 6-foot-2, 290-pound offensive lineman has played for three head coaches in four losing seasons.

He won't get to play a game on campus this season, his senior season, because of construction to T.A. Wright Stadium. And he will miss out on competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference by one year.

No, this is not at all what Johnson envisioned. And yet, he insists he would not change a thing.

Miss SSU to be crowned at ‘Royal Sunset by the Sea’

Savannah native Jordan M. Riles will be crowned Miss Savannah State University 2010-11 at the “Royal Sunset by the Sea,” the annual queen’s coronation.

The event will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday at Tiger Arena as part of Savannah State’s Homecoming 2010 festivities. Riles’ court and queens representing about 50 campus organizations will also be presented.

The event is free and open to the public.

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SSU snaps 11-game losing skid with 28-21 win over N.C. Central

As Savannah State students stormed the field at Memorial Stadium to celebrate a 28-21 victory over North Carolina Central on Saturday, SSU interim head coach Julius Dixon found Tigers defensive back John Wilson amid the chaos. Dixon, a humble family man who is usually reserved, ran toward the freshman, tightly hugged him and whispered into his helmet.

"He said, 'Good game, son. Good game, son.' " said Wilson, who secured the victory by breaking up NCCU quarterback Michael Johnson's pass on fourth-and-3 from SSU's 24-yard line with 45 seconds to play.

SSU (1-9) snapped an 11-game losing streak dating to last season. It was the second-longest losing streak in the nation behind Valparaiso's 19 consecutive losses going into Saturday.

SSU to ask NCAA for extra year for injured back Babb

Savannah State University will ask the NCAA to grant running back Justin Babb a medical hardship, also called a medical redshirt, which would give the senior an extra year of athletic eligibility, interim head coach Julius Dixon said.

Babb, a team captain and the Tigers' leading rusher last season and in 2008, suffered a season-ending leg injury in the third game of the season Sept. 18 against Bethune-Cookman. A medical hardship may be obtained from the NCAA to replace a season lost to injury if an athlete plays in 30 percent or less of his or her team's games.


Videographer: TheOProductions1907

Tigers finally get a chance to play at home game

After playing nine games on the road, Savannah State University's football team will play at home today. Well, sort of. SSU (0-9) is not playing on campus this season because of construction to T.A. Wright, but interim head coach Julius Dixon said he is thrilled to have his team playing at Memorial Stadium, where the Tigers will face North Carolina Central (3-6) at 2 p.m.

"I'm extremely excited. So much so that it's actually caught me off guard," Dixon said of playing in Savannah. "I've been running around here the last few days fretting about our home plan. Because, for the last nine weeks, we've been dealing with...

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ATTENDANCE: 3518

Videographer: GCubeVision

The Savannah State University Campus Activities Board present: ACCESS HOLLYWOOD: SSU Edition (HOMECOMING 2K10). NOV. 14TH-22ND

This will definitely be a STAR STUDDED event with surprises appearances throughout the week!

HERE IS THE LAYOUT FOR THIS YEAR'S LIST OF ACTIVITIES:

Sunday November 14, 2010
"Premiere Party"
Homecoming Kick-Off Party
8:00 PM- 12:00 AM

Monday November 15, 2010
"Inside the Actors Studio"
Source Presents Stomp the Yard 2 (Q&A from Lamar Stewart)
8:00 PM Tiger Arena

Tuesday November 16, 2010
"Lights, Camera, Action"
Roar the Runway Fashion Show ft. Alexis Jordan
8:00 PM Tiger Arena

Wednesday November 17, 2010
"A Star Studded Night"
Comic View: SSU Special Edition
Guest: B Phlat, Sean Larkins, Double D, ft. LIL DUVAL
8:00 PM Tiger Arena

Thursday November 18, 2010
"A Star is Crowned/Born"
Coronation of Miss Savannah State University
6:00 PM Tiger Arena

Friday November 19, 2010
"World of Wonder"
Homecoming Carnival
12:00 PM- 4:00 PM Felix-Alexis Circle

Saturday November 20, 2010
"Clash of the Titans"
Greek Step Show: Host Steve Brown
8:00 PM Tiger Arena

Sunday November 21, 2010
"The Finale"
Gospel Concert: ft. Marcus D. Wiley, Earnest Pugh, & YOLANDA ADAMS
5:00 PM Tiger Arena

Monday November 22, 2010
SSU Founder's Day Walk and Assembly
6:00 PM Tiger Arena

Today's MEAC Football Reviews

Howard at Bethune-Cookman

1 p.m. at Municipal Stadium, Daytona Beach, Fla. Records: Bison 1-8, 0-6 MEAC; Wildcats 9-0, 6-0. RADIO: WELE 1380 AM (Daytona)

Emerging stars: Even though Howard's defense has allowed more than 50 points in three of its past four games, the Bison have received outstanding performances from its younger defensive players. Freshman safety Cameron Alston, the reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rookie of the week, had nine tackles, recovered a fumble and returned a blocked field goal 37 yards for a touchdown in a 54-14 loss to South Carolina State. Sophomore linebacker Kurt Mangum II had 13 tackles, including three for a loss, and a sack.

Delaware State at Norfolk State

Delaware State (2-7, 1-5) at Norfolk State (4-5, 3-4), 1 p.m., Dick Price Stadium, 102.1 FM; 91.1 FM (Norfolk); WWTX-1290, WDOV-1410 (Dover)

Ever since getting Norfolk State's season back on track, Sherron Childress admits he's been thinking about today. The tight end, one of the Spartans' most emotional players, is one of 20 NSU seniors likely playing their final home game today.

"I've been thinking about it all week," Childress said. "Since the start of the week, I've been thinking one more home game. I've played a lot of games here... one more time at Dick Price Stadium."

Childress has already been through a spectrum of results at home this season. He wept on the field after a close loss to Florida A&M three weeks ago. Last week, during a 35-27 win over Morgan State, he celebrated his first catch since September, and his first touchdown of the season.



Hampton at Florida A&M

Florida A&M vs. Hampton, 3 p.m: Hampton (5-4, 4-2 MEAC); FAMU (6-3, 5-1 MEAC); Internet Live TV: FAMCAST, Radio: 96.1 FM.

There is no hope of winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship for Hampton. That chance was dashed by three consecutive losses, including a heartbreaking five-point loss to undefeated Bethune-Cookman last weekend.

But today, the Pirates could do severe damage to the plans that Florida A&M (6-3, 5-1 MEAC) has to run the table and force a possible three-way tie for the conference title. Hampton (5-4, 4-2) did it last season and coach Donovan Rose is looking for a repeat performance.

What Rose has been telling his players amounts to forgetting that they've not won a game since escaping with a 7-6 victory over Norfolk State. Only a two-touchdown loss to Old Dominion was at a wider margin than the setback to the Wildcats.

North Carolina Central at Savannah State

SSU (0-9) faces North Carolina Central (3-6) at 2 p.m. at Memorial Stadium; Radio: WHCJ 90.3 FM (Savannah)

Sheldon Barnes hoped to earn some playing time this season, but the freshman never expected to become Savannah State's workhorse.

The 5-foot-11, 215-pound running back from Hinesville's Bradwell Institute leads SSU with 440 yards and three touchdowns on 98 carries.

Senior running back Justin Babb has not played since suffering a leg injury Sept. 18 against Bethune-Cookman. Filling in for Babb has been Barnes.

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Videographer: SpeechlessQue

SSU men in transition this season‎

SSU MEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW

The Savannah State men's basketball program is looking ahead to the future, literally and figuratively.

The Tigers have only one player competing that isn't a sophomore or freshman. Two juniors, Rashad Hassan and Arnold Louis, who were among the team's top players a year ago, will red-shirt this season to save a year of eligibility when the school joins the Mid-eastern Athletic Conference next season.

"The operative word is transition, as an institution and a program we're trying to transition into the MEAC," said SSU sixth-year coach Horace Broadnax, whose squad opens the season Friday at home against Brewton Parker.

Lady Tigers Opens with Edward Waters

SAVANNAH, Ga.- Thirteen home games and a pair of four-game home-stands highlights the Savannah State women’s basketball slate for the 2010-11 season. Despite 13 home games, SSU will travel through 10 states this season (Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Virginia, Maryland, Indiana and New Jersey).

Cedric Baker, who is entering his 8th season as the Lady Tiger head coach, has SSU opening their 27-game schedule against NAIA opponent Edward Waters on November 12. After games at Florida A&M, South Carolina State and Charlotte, the Lady Tigers have home contests with North Florida (Nov. 27) and Central Florida (Nov. 30).

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SSU falls behind fast and furious in loss

NORFOLK, Va. - Savannah State's stumbling, bumbling, fumbling ways continued Saturday afternoon as the Tigers lost their 11th straight, falling 57-9, this time to Old Dominion on a crisp Saturday afternoon at Foreman Field.

Doom found the Tigers (0-9) immediately when the Monarchs converted a pooch kickoff recovery and were in the end zone four plays later. The afternoon just seemed to worsen as the sun went down.



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ODU's just too much for Savannah State 57-9

NORFOLK, VA - It was a day of firsts for Old Dominion's football team. First kickoff returned for a touchdown. First interception returned for a touchdown. First ridiculous, one-sided blowout.

The Monarchs, in the last stages of prepping for entry into the Colonial Athletic Association, dismantled struggling Savannah State 57-9 on a brisk Saturday afternoon at Foreman Field. ODU's 57 points were the most scored by the Monarchs in a game, surpassing a 49-point output last season against Division II Virginia Union. The school record for points against a Division I program is 44, set earlier this year against Campbell.

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ATTENDANCE: 19,782

ASU Hornets wear down winless Savannah State Tigers

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Eight games, all on the road. The Savannah State Tigers are just looking for a break. "We haven't won a game, so we've got it in our mind that we have to play as hard as we can to try and win a football game," said senior linebacker J. Vince Cochran, the team's leading tackler. "Just give more effort than we usually do to try and pull one out."

The Tigers put together an inspired defensive effort against Alabama State on Saturday, but the end result was the same. Savannah State wore down in the second half and allowed the Hornets to pull away for a 24-0 win in front of 5,237 fans at Cramton Bowl.



Savannah State Tigers Fall to 0-8

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Devin Dominguez completed 18 of 27 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns as Alabama State beat Savannah State 24-0 on Saturday.

The Hornets (4-3) took a 7-0 lead in the second quarter after an 8-yard touchdown pass from Dominguez to Nick Andrews. Dominguez hooked up with Landon Jones on a 12-yard scoring pass in the third quarter as Alabama State entered the fourth with a 14-0 lead.

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Based on the talent that Savannah State has recruited in their first year in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for football, basketball, baseball and the band, the Tigers are going to become a competitive force in short order. I like the enthusiasm of the kids and how they are not letting this growth period negatively impact their long term goals toward creditability and high achievement in the conference.

 Keep plugging away SSU as you continue laying the foundation for a solid Division I program.  In a few years as you become competitive,  Alabama State, Georgia State and Georgia Southern won't even take your athletic director's telephone calls to schedule a game with the Tigers.

Already, the Georgia State Band wants no parts of a 5th quarter in the Dome with the Tigers. Go SSU!

-Beepbeep

FAMU shuts out Savannah State

Coach Joe Taylor has been hinting for more than a week that he would put the rest of the season in the hands of his running backs. On Saturday, senior Philip Sylvester and LaVante Page proved that Taylor might be on to something as they led a ground attack that carried Florida A&M to a 31-0 victory over Savannah State.

The victory was a prelude to a five-game stretch that the Rattlers must win to keep a meaningful place in the conversation about playing in the postseason.

FAMU blanks Savannah State, 31-0

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - For a time Saturday afternoon the Savannah State football team was living on the edge. The game against Florida A&M was in front of them if the Tigers could string together some first downs. But the Tigers (0-7) fell off the precipice following touchdowns on the Rattlers first two possessions of the third quarter. A manageable 10-point halftime deficit became insurmountable one as Savannah State fell 31-0.

Faithful fan keeps cheering through Rattlers' good times and bad

Right beneath the press box, where there is usually a lot of ruckus, it was eerily quiet for the first quarter. The shakers were near silent. No whistles blew like they usually do. Folks were wondering about their Florida A&M football team as former West Gadsden star quarterback Antonio Bostick got a nifty drive going before the Savannah State Tigers had to punt.

"I will cheer for you; hold that line," a lonely voice bellowed from the crowd just below the press box. "Hold that line."

FAMU's big plays make up for mistakes

Two possessions were all it took to wipe away a dissatisfying first half. Despite dominating in every statistical category Florida A&M led Savannah State just 10-0 at the half due to eight penalties, clock management issues and offensive ineffectiveness on third down.

The miscues even permeated to the officiating as an inadvertent whistle from the officials prevented FAMU from scoring what would have been a 90-yard punt return by T.J. Lawrence with two minutes remaining in the first half.

Coach Taylor predicts competitive MEAC season

As long as three months ago, coach Joe Taylor has been predicting that before the season is done, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference will turn out to be one of the most competitive among all Division I-AA.

Taylor was making his case again a few days before Saturday's matchup between Bethune-Cookman and South Carolina State. Both teams went into the game with unbeaten records, but it's the Wildcats' 4-0 record that seems to validate Taylor's argument.

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Attendance: 8834

Winless SSU falls to D-II Albany State, 28-14

WAYCROSS, GA - Savannah State could not stop the multi-headed offense of Albany State, but the Tigers were able to slow it down on the neutral field of Memorial Stadium.

The NCAA Division II Golden Rams cruised to a 28-14 victory in the "Rumble in the Swamp" behind the running of LiRonnie Davis, Robert Welton and Kareem Hess, and the passing of Stan Jennings.

Albany State had not been held under 30 points in its first three games, nor had anyone scored more than 10 points against the Rams. SSU accomplished both.

ASU doubles up on Savannah State, 28-14, moves to 4-0

WAYCROSS, GA — During football practice last week, Albany State quarterback Stanley Jennings said momentum can change anything in a game. If the “Rumble in the Swamp” was any indication, he’s right.

The Rams defeated Savannah State, 28-14, in Waycross on Saturday in the 60th meeting between the two teams, but they had to hold off freshman quarterback Antonio Bostic from rallying the Tigers in the fourth quarter.

“I was glad with the way we played (overall),” said head coach Mike White, whose team is now 4-0 on the season and 42-16-2 against Savannah State all-time. “(But) I thought we played a better first half. The second half, I was really disappointed.”

ASU-SAVANNAH STATE NOTEBOOK: ASU’s Savannah natives happy to beat their hometown Tigers

WAYCROSS, GA – Arkeen Riley may not be the most well-known Ram, but the defensive lineman definitely had the biggest cheering section in Waycross for Albany State’s game against Savannah State Saturday.

Two dozen friends and family members of the ASU sophomore made the drive from Savannah to see his team grab a big victory against the Tigers, and most of them brought t-shirts sporting his No. 95 on the back. “I’m going to (try to) be at every game,” Riley’s mother said.. “It’s exciting (to see him play). It’s a dream come true.”

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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.

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Georgia Southern smacks Savannah State, 48-3

STATESBORO, GA - The triple option returned to Georgia Southern on Saturday night. A lot of optimism for the Eagles came back after a game at Paulson Stadium as well. GSU pleased its fan base in at least three ways. They moved the ball methodically, played defense with relentlessness and couldn't have been better in special teams.

The result was an overwhelming 48-3 victory over neighboring Savannah State in the season opener for both teams. "The option is back," a speaker over the stadium public address system proclaimed after GSU's first offensive play. "I'm just glad they were happy at the end of the game," GSU first-year coach Jeff Monken said.





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No 'lost season' for Savannah State

Skeptics are calling this a "lost season" for Savannah State University's football team. The Tigers will not play any games on campus. Of their 11 games, nine will be on the road because of construction to T.A. Wright Stadium. The two home games will be played at Memorial Stadium, school officials confirmed Tuesday. SSU will not play a full Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference schedule until 2011.

But to the players and coaches who have devoted countless hours preparing for this game they love, there is nothing "lost" about this season.

"There are a lot of folks that have low expectations of us," said Darren Hunter, a senior defensive back from New Orleans. "That's what they did with the Saints as well, and the Saints came out and proved them wrong. We at Savannah State University, we're going to come out there and do the same thing."

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Justin Babb to Provide Offensive Spark for Savannah State

Savannah, GA - The Savannah State Tigers will rely on Senior Justin Babb to provide an offensive spark for the offense. Babb is back after leading the team in rushing a year ago. The Tigers open up the season September 4th at Georgia Southern.

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DeFilippis shines in SSU's scrimmage

A.J. DeFilippis, Savannah State's starting quarterback, threw two touchdown passes and ran for a touchdown to lead the Blue Team (offense) to a 34-0 victory over the Orange Team (defense) in the annual "Blue & Orange" fall scrimmage Saturday morning at SSU.

DeFilippis, a junior and Benedictine graduate, finished the one-hour, 25-minute controlled scrimmage 13-of-24 passing for 140 yards. He threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Brian Lackey and a 30-yard touchdown pass to senior running back Justin Babb. DeFilippis also ran for a 5-yard touchdown.

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SSU Dixon hopes to lose interim tag

Savannah State University interim head football coach Julius Dixon has a past history of high achievements (see bio below).

Julius Dixon has been in charge of Savannah State University's football program since Jan. 28, 2010 the day Robby Wells was forced to resign and interim athletics director Marilynn Suggs appointed Dixon interim head coach. Dixon, SSU's defensive coordinator the past two seasons, began preseason training camp Saturday with the interim tag still in his title. He also is listed in the Tigers' 2010 media guide as interim.

It's an awkward position for Dixon, but the 43-year-old Toccoa native said he is confident he has the support of SSU's administration.

"In this transition phase into the (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference), there were several requirements placed, football-wise, that had to take place," Dixon said Sunday during SSU's annual Media Day at Tiger Arena. "It's really been a busy process for a lot of different people to make this transition work a little smoother.

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COACH JULIUS DIXON BIO

Julius Dixon, a native of Toccoa, Georgia, attended and graduated from Stephens County High School in 1985; earned his bachelor’s degree in political science in 1990 from Furman University.

As a star cornerback for Furman, Dixon was one of four freshmen to letter in his first year, and was a member of the 1985 NCAA I-AA runner-up team that finished with a 12-2 record and a Southern Conference championship. As a senior, he earned first team all-conference honors, and was the captain of the 1988 NCAA I-AA national championship team. That year, the Paladins compiled a 13-2 record, a conference championship, and earned the nation’s top scoring defense holding opponents to 9.5 point per game. During his four-year span, the Paladins recorded a 40-10-2 record.

Dixon entered his first year as the defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach for Savannah State University in 2009. He comes to SSU from Presbyterian College where, in 2007, he was the defensive coordinator and helped coached the team to a 6-5 record in their first year of Division I, FCS competition.

Prior to that, he spent 14 years as an assistant with Furman University; first as defensive line coach for three years, and then he served as the defensive backs coach for eleven years. During his tenure at Furman, Dixon coached three All-Americans and six All-Conference players. He also helped coach the Paladins to three conference championships (1999, 01, 03), and playoff appearances in 1999, 2001, 2004, and 2005. The 2001 team finished as the NCAA I-AA national runner-up.

Dixon got his start in coaching at Camden High School (S.C.). He served as an assistant coach for four years, from 1988-92. During his first year as an assistant, Camden went 15-0 and won the South Carolina AAA State Championship.

He is married to the former Tawanda Cooper of Kingstree, S.C. and they have two children; Jailyn (7) and Devin (2).