Savannah, Georgia-Entering Saturday's road contest against rival Savannah State, sophomore wide receiver Johnny Jones did everything statisctically over the first four games of the season with the exception of scoring a touchdown. Jones left with two in the matchup, including the game winner with 1:22 remaining to earn a 26-25 victory in an instant classic between the two rivals on opposite ends of I-95. The victory for Edward Waters is their second consecutive on the season, their first over Savannah State since 2008, and snaps a five-game winning streak that SSU had over EWU.

Edward Waters (2-3, 2-2 SIAC) took the opening kickoff and for the third straight contest, were able to score on their opening drive as graduate QB Jyron Russell hit freshman WR Nathan Rembert over the middle. Rembert was hit at the SSU 3 yard line, fumbling the football into the endzone, but Jones was able to recover in the endzone for the first touchdown of the contest for the visitors from Jacksonville. EWU doubled their lead on their second possession as Russell capped off a four play, 69-yard drive with a two-yard rushing TD to give EWU a 13-0 lead with 7:00 remaining in the first quarter. Savannah State (2-3, 1-2 SIAC) was able to respond on their ensuing drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass with 4:14 left in the first to cut the lead to 13-6.

The Purple & Orange were able to extend their advantage in the second quarter as senior WR Yanez Rogers recorded his first touchdown of the season, hauling in a 23-yard strike from Russell to take a 20-6 lead with 7:30 remaining. Savannah State would not go quietly as just before halftime, with :15 remaining, the Blue & Orange Tigers scored on a six-yard passing TD to make it a one score game at 20-12, and would get the ball to start the second half. 

Savannah State was able to dominate much of the second half of the matchup. Both squads went scoreless in the third quarter, setting up what would be one of the most frantic fourth quarters in SIAC football this season, Savannah State came to within two points of the lead as on a 3rd and 15, they scored on a 64-yard passing touchdown, making it a 20-18 lead for EWU with 8:37 remaining in the game. On EWU's ensuing posession, Russell threw a critical interception deep within their own territory, setting SSU up at the EWU 24-yard line. Savannah State capitalized on the EWU mistake, capping off a five play, 24-yard drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown to take their first lead of the contest at 26-25 with 4:52 remaining.

Things appeared bleak for Edward Waters, but Russell and the Tigers responded in a major way. The Purple & Orange went on a methodical nine play, 75-yard march down the field which was completed with Jones' 18-yard receiving touchdown, his second of the contest to allow EWU to retake the lead at 26-25 with 1:22 remaining.

Savannah State had one last opportunity to respond as they drove the football down to the Edward Waters 26-yard line with :26 remaining. SSU sent fhe field goal unit out on 3rd and 4 on what would have been a 42-yard field goal. The Tigers' holder faked everyone out, went on a five yard run to achieve a first down with :15 remaining, and set up a now 37-yard field goal attempt. The SSU kicker, with the game on his right foot, saw the football clang off of the right goal post, sending the EWU squad and fans into a frenzy. The Tigers were able to come out onto the field, go into the victory formation, take a knee and head back down south with a hard fought one-point victory in one of the most memorable contests in recent EWU football history.

The Edward Waters offense continues their ascension up the SIAC statistical rankings, as for the third straight contest, the Tigers posted 400+ yards of total offense, finishing with 464 yards on the day. The passing offense proved to be the big difference for the Tigers with 338 yards through the air, while also posting 126 yards on the ground. Russell finished his night going 22-37 passing for 338 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Jones for the fifth consecutive game, led EWU through the air with 11 catches for 119 yards and two TD, while senior RB De'Shaun Hugee had three catches for 80 yards, Rembert finished with two catches for 48 yards, and Savannah native Deven Thompson added two catches for 48 yards, including a critical 29 yard reception on EWU's game winning drive. Hugee also led EWU with 15 carries for 50 yards, while redshirt freshman Johntarrious Thomas added 10 carries for 40 yards.

Defensively, The Purple & Orange were led by freshman DE Dwayne Escoffery, Jr. who in just his second collegiate contest of his young career, posted five tackles, including recording his first collegiate sack on Savannah State's final drive. Junior FS Kenard King also posted five tackles, while sophomore CB Vashaun Stockman was able to contribute with his first interception of the season for Edward Waters.

The Tigers will return home and celebrate Homecoming on Saturday, October 7th as they will host the Dragons of Lane College in another SIAC battle. Kickoff is set for 2:00pm at the Nathaniel Glover Community Field & Stadium.

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