SAVANNAH, Ga. — The
Central State Marauders secured a 10-3 victory over the
Savannah State Tigers at Theodore Wright Stadium on Saturday evening.
FIRST QUARTER
The Marauders' offense was quick to make an impact. Central State quarterback
Kendall Boney orchestrated a meticulous drive that began deep in their own territory. The drive spanned 54 yards over 14 plays, showcasing a blend of strategic passes and relentless ground attacks. With just 4:43 left in the first quarter, Boney connected with
Brandon Brock on a 23-yard touchdown pass.
Jose Chaires' extra point gave Central State a 7-0 lead.
SECOND QUARTER
As the game moved into the second quarter, both teams' defenses took control. The Marauders' defense, led by standout performances from
Chazz Hunter and
Dylan Purry, stymied the Tigers' offensive efforts. Despite several attempts to break through, Savannah State's offense, led by quarterback Jadon Adams, was unable to find the end zone. Central State finished the quarter still holding a 7-0 advantage.
THIRD QUARTER
The second half began with both teams adjusting their strategies. Central State's defense continued its strong performance, putting significant pressure on Adams and limiting his passing options. Midway through the third quarter, Chaires extended the Marauders' lead with an 11-yard field goal, capping a drive that had taken six plays and 16 yards. The score was now 10-0.
Savannah State responded with a drive of their own, which culminated in a 34-yard field goal by Jimmy Mal. This kick, made at 6:09, was the Tigers' only scoring play of the night and cut the deficit to 10-3. Despite their best efforts, the Tigers struggled to gain traction against the Marauders' defense, which tightened its grip.
FOURTH QUARTER
The final quarter saw the Tigers trying desperately to close the gap. Their offense, led by Adams, made several attempts to break through, but the Marauders' defensive line, including key plays by
Remello Eafen and
Kenyon Smith, proved impenetrable. Savannah State's frustration was evident as Mal's 23-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Central State, ensuring the Marauders' victory was all but secured.
POSTGAME
As the clock wound down, the Central State Marauders celebrated their hard-earned victory. Despite a low-scoring affair, the game was marked by defensive tenacity and big stops down the stretch. The Marauders' 10-3 win was a testament to their resilience and ability to capitalize on key moments. Central State's victory was a crucial boost for their season, improving their record to 1-2 overall and 1-0 in the conference.
The Marauders will travel to Rochester, N.Y., to face Albany State at the Frederick Douglass Classic on Saturday, Sept. 21. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
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ABOUT THE SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SIAC)
The SIAC is a NCAA athletic conference consisting primarily of historically black colleges and universities with headquarters in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The SIAC includes 15 member institutions (Albany State University, Allen University, Benedict College, Central State University, Clark Atlanta University, Edward Waters University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Miles College, Morehouse College, Savannah State University, Spring Hill College, and Tuskegee University), which are located within a contiguous seven-state footprint (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio). The SIAC sponsors seven men's and six women's sports and is a proud member of the NCAA Division II. For more information, visit
www.thesiac.com.