A Runaway win for SSU Tigers.

A runaway win for Savannah State

By Noell Barnidge

Created 2007-09-08 23:30

Savannah State 24, Johnson C. Smith 10

When Savannah State football players glance in the mirror today, the face looking back at them will be smiling.

SSU defeated Johnson C. Smith, 24-10, on Saturday, recovering from a 47-7 loss at Morgan State that prompted SSU coach Theo Lemon to tell his players, "If you want to blame someone, look in the mirror."

SSU (1-1) beat JCSU (1-1) thanks to dominant performances by all three phases: offense, defense and special teams.

The Joe Turner Classic crowd of 3,224 at Memorial Stadium did not mind being away from T.A. Wright Stadium, which is being renovated during SSU's first three home games. They were too busy celebrating a new-look football program that was rebuilt after finishing 0-11 in 2005.

"To get a win against a team that beat you last year means you're heading in the right direction," said Lemon, whose Tigers were 2-9 last season, his first as coach.

SSU's victory snapped a two-game losing streak dating back to last season. The Tigers beat NAIA school Edward Waters last November, but lost the following week at Cal Poly in the season finale.

SSU owns a 4-1 series lead against JCSU, a Division II school that beat the Tigers, 27-6, last season in Charlotte, N.C.

Visit to Memorial Stadium

SSU had not played at Memorial Stadium since 1998, when the Tigers lost, 22-20, to Tuskegee. JCSU third-year coach Daryl McNeill was in his second and final season as SSU's coach in 1998, and he guided the Tigers to a 7-4 record - their last winning season.

Saturday, McNeill watched SSU run all over his Golden Bulls. SSU rushed for 328 yards and three touchdowns on 53 carries, the most yards rushing since the Tigers ran for 330 yards at Fort Valley State in 1999.

SSU freshman Antwan Edwards ran for a game-high 103 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries in his first collegiate start at tailback. The 5-foot-9 177-pound Miami native became the first SSU running back to run for over 100 yards since Chad Cone gained 169 yards against Morehouse last October.

"Our offensive line stepped up and opened up holes," Edwards said. "There were some big holes."

Six players carried the ball for SSU, which made 15 of its 18 first downs on the ground. SSU made twice as many first downs as it did against Morgan State.

SSU freshman Justin Babb gained 57 yards on 12 carries. Freshman Reggie Williams ran six times for 49 yards and a touchdown in his first collegiate start at fullback.

Senior fullback Jamie Beard ran for 44 yards on 11 carries, and junior tailback Reginald May gained 39 yards on 11 carries.

Beard and May started in the backfield against Morgan State, but combined for 26 yards on 14 carries without a touchdown, prompting Lemon to start Edwards and Williams against JCSU.

"All of our running backs contributed," Lemon said. "All of them helped, and we got the job done. We've got a lot of unselfish players."

Many contributors

SSU quarterback JaCorey Kilcrease ran for 36 yards and a touchdown on six carries. The 6-foot, 170-pound sophomore from Macon exhibited poise in his second collegiate start.

He was 7-for-11 passing for 47 yards without an interception. Kilcrease was not sacked and played the entire game, marching SSU on touchdown drives of 77, 94 and 52 yards.

Kilcrease scored the game's first points when ran for a 20-yard touchdown. Sophomore Luis Justiniano kicked his first of three extra points to give SSU a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

Justiniano's 41-yard field goal gave SSU a 10-0 lead in the second quarter. It was the Bluffton (S.C.) High School graduate's first collegiate field goal, and SSU's first since Nov. 5, 2005, at Coastal Carolina. The Tigers did not attempt a field goal last season.

The field goal by Justiniano, a walk-on from Armstrong Atlantic State, also was SSU's longest since 2002.

"It feels good to know that Coach Lemon trusts me enough to kick," he said.

Justiniano attempted a 47-yard field goal with 2:18 left before halftime, but the ball was deflected and fell wide left.

JCSU cut the score to 10-3 thanks to Herbert Collins' 36-yard field goal with 5 seconds left before halftime.

After a scoreless third quarter, SSU staked a 17-3 fourth-quarter lead when Edwards ran untouched up the middle for a 4-yard touchdown.

JCSU responded three plays later when quarterback Carlton Richardson connected with wide receiver Brett Lofton for a 29-yard touchdown, cutting the score to 17-10 with 8:11 to play.

SSU's Isaiah Osborne returned the ensuing kickoff 40 yards to the Tigers' 48-yard line. Williams capped SSU's 11-play, 52-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.

SSU strong safety Antwan Allen and free safety Javorris Jackson intercepted passes to end JCSU's final two drives.

Johnson C. Smith 0 3 0 7 - 10 Savannah St. 7 3 0 14 - 24

First Quarter

Sav-Kilcrease 20 run (Justiniano kick), 3:14.

Second Quarter

Sav-FG Justiniano 41, 12:43.

JnSm-FG Collins 36, :05.

Fourth Quarter

Sav-A.Edwards 4 run (Justiniano kick), 9:25.

JnSm-Lofton 29 pass from Richardson (Collins kick), 8:11.

Sav-R.Williams 4 run (Justiniano kick), 2:56.

A-3,224.

JnSm Sav

First Downs 16 18

Rushes-yards 38-128 53-328

Passing 183 47

Comp-Att-Int 15-28-2 7-11-0

Return Yards 29 145

Punts-Avg. 6-39.3 5-39.8

Fumbles-Lost 2-1 2-2

Penalties-Yards 8-62 10-96

Time of Possession 28:34 31:26

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING-Johnson C. Smith, Metcalf 17-54, Richardson 11-43, Allen 9-29, Battle 1-2. Savannah St., A.Edwards 14-103, Babb 12-57, R.Williams 6-49, Beard 4-44, May 11-39, Kilcrease 6-36.

PASSING-Johnson C. Smith, Richardson 14-24-1-161, R.Carter [1] 1-4-1-22. Savannah St., Kilcrease 7-11-0-47.

RECEIVING-Johnson C. Smith, Lofton 4-57, Benjamin 4-54, Franklin 4-30, Moore 1-22, Metcalf 1-17, Hodge 1-3. Savannah St., Hollinger 4-42, Kirkland 2-9, Osbourne 1-(minus 4).