SSU gets first win of the season

September 8, 2007
SAVANNAH, Ga- Antwan Edwards rushed for a game high 103 yards on 14 carries and scored a touchdown to lift Savannah State to a 24-10 victory over Division II Johnson C. Smith in the 14th Annual Joe Turner Classic at Memorial Stadium.

The crowd of 3,224 saw the Tigers (1-1) bounce back to win their first game of the season after suffering a 47-7 setback from Morgan State a week earlier. It was also the first time SSU won the Joe Turner Classic since a 31-21 win over Virginia State in 1999.

JCSU fell to 1-1.

The Tigers got on the scoreboard in their second possession of the game. SSU quarterback JaCorey Kilcrease scored on a 20-yard run to complete the six play, 77 yard drive. The highlight of the drive was a 39 yard run by fullback Jamie Beard. Luis Justiniano kicked the extra point and Savannah State led 7-0 with 3:14 left in the opening quarter.

Late in the first quarter, SSU linebacker Calvin Leonard forced a fumble that was recovered by Chris Herans at the SSU 45. The Tigers drove to the JCSU 25 but could get no further. Justiniano nailed a 41 yard field goal attempt to expand the SSU lead to 10-0 with 12:43 on the clock.

On their second possession of the second quarter, SSU marched downfield to the Golden Bulls 29 but Justiniano missed a 47 yard field goal attempt. JCSU took over at their own 30 and drove 51 yards in 10 plays as Herbert Collins hit a 36 yard field goal with five seconds left before the half to make the score 10-3.

At halftime, Mrs. Mamie Johnson Miles was awarded the 2007 Joe Turner Merit Award.

After a scoreless third quarter, JCSU drove deep inside Savannah State territory. The Golden Bulls were faced with a fourth and 17 from the Tiger 21 but could not convert and turned the ball over on downs. SSU took the ball and drove 94 yards in seven plays as Edwards scored on a four yard run with 9:25 remaining. Justiniano's extra point was good and SSU led 17-3.

JCSU answered quickly, scoring in one minute, six seconds to pull to within 17-10 when Carl Richardson tossed a 29 yard touchdown pass to Brett Lofton.

Not to be outdone, SSU took the kickoff and marched 52 yards in 11 plays and went ahead 24-10 when Reggie Williams scored from four yards out with 2:56 left in the game.

Savannah State used a stable of running backs to wear down the JCSU defense and ended the game with rushing yards. Justin Babb had 57 yards, Williams had 49, Beard had 44 and Reggie May contributed 39. The SSU offensive line out-powered the Golden Bulls defensive front and opened holes throughout the afternoon and for the second straight game, did not allow a sack. Kilcrease seven of 11 passes for 47 yards. Deleon Hollinger led the SSU wide receivers with four catches for 42 yards. Chris Herans paced the defense with 10 tackles.

For JCSU, which is coached by former SSU head coach Daryl McNeil, Jim Massenburg had seven tackles. John Metcalf rushed for 54 yards and Lofton caught four passes for 57 yards and a score. Richardson passed for 161 yards and one touchdown and one interception. JCSU assistants Steve Aycock and Jonathan Kelly are both former SSU student-athletes and earned their undergraduate degree from Savannah State.

Savannah State will host Bethune-Cookman at Memorial Stadium on September 15 at 1:00 p.m.