The win ended the Tigers’ 24-game, overall, losing streak
and its 32-game losing streak in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). SSU’s
most recent win was a 27-20 triumph against Fort Valley State in 2013.
Before Saturday, the last time SSU had won a conference game
was when the Tigers defeated N.C. Central, 33-30, in 2011. It was SSU’s first
official season in the MEAC.
SSU pulled out the win against FAMU despite its National
Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) restrictions and limited facilities.
“I’m really beginning to see how only being able to practice
11 hours a week (because of NCAA restrictions pertaining to SSU's poor Academic
Progress Rate for a third consecutive year) really hurts you,” SSU Head Coach Earnest Wilson, III said before the game.
Wilson added that: “Strength and conditioning-wise, we just
don't have a weight room and stuff like that, and it's going to happen. If we
don't get what we need (facilities), we’re going to keep having the same
problems.”
Those challenges didn’t stop Wilson from being optimistic
that The Coastal Empire Sound Explosion would beat the Marching 100 in the “Battle
of the Bands.”
“Someone told me they’re bringing their band but you know
what? Our band from Tigerland is better than their band,” Wilson said. “I’m putting it out there right now. I’m putting it out there. I love
my band and I have faith in my band. Our band director (Marques Graham), he's
doing a great job with the young people.”
Wilson bragged loudly about the SSU band and his players after
the win against FAMU.
“We’re Savannah State proud. We’re Savannah State bold,” Wilson
said after the game. “I know that Florida A&M has a great tradition but we've
got a new band director. He’s trying to build a tradition here at Savannah
State, too, so we're going to be proud. And I love their energy. They give me
energy.”
Gerald Hearns led the FAMU ground game with 34 yards on six
carries. Kenny Coleman passed for 129 yards and a score on eight of 12 passing,
while Carson Royal passed for 117 yards on 12 of 21 passing. Montavious
Williams (81 yards) and Brandon Norwood (54) each had six catches. Kashawn
Butler had 12 tackles, 1.5 for loss, while Braxton Brown and Danzel Williams
each had seven tackles for FAMU.