Savannah, Georgia-After a convincing home conference victory last week against Morehouse, Edward Waters looks to close out the first half of their season strong as they head two hours up I-95 to face Savannah State in an SIAC rivalry matchup.
GAME INFORMATION:
Edward Waters (1-3, 1-2 SIAC) at Savannah State (2-2, 1-1 SIAC)
Saturday, September 30th
Theodore A. "Ted" Wright Stadium | Savannah, Georgia
Kickoff: 6:00pm
Weather: 84° Partly Cloudy, 11% Chance of Rain, Wind: NE 11mph
BROADCAST INFORMATION:
Video Stream: Black College Sports Network (
https://mybcsn.net/watch/ssutigers/) | Play-By-Play: Bryan Fulford
Audio Stream: EWU Sports Network (
https://youtube.com/live/luV1RyI5BhQ?feature=share) | Play-By-Play:
Joshua C. Jackson, Sports Information Director/"Voice of the Tigers"
GAME NOTES:
https://ewutigerpride.com/documents/2023/9/27/EWU_Football_Game_Notes_vs._Savannah_State__23.pdf
COACHING MATCHUP:
Edward Waters:
Toriano Morgan, 3rd Season (10-16)
Savannah State: Aaron Kelton, 2nd Seaosn (7-7)
SERIES HISTORY:
Edward Waters' rivalry with Savannah State is one of the oldest rivalries for the Tigers. Saturday's matchup will be the 29th all-time meeting between the two squads. EWU maintains a 13-11-4 series advantage, but Savannah State has won the last five consecutive meetings, including last year's 31-28 win in Jacksonville.
1930 EWC 13, SSU 13
1931 EWC 13, SSU 13
1932 EWC 0, SSU 0
1933 EWC 12, SSU 0
1938 EWC 14, SSU 6
1940 EWC 14, SSU 0
1948 SSU 15, EWC 6
1956 EWC 13, SSU 7
1957 EWC 6, SSU 6
1958 SSU 24, EWC 6
1959 SSU 14, EWC 0
1960 EWC 25, SSU 8
1961 EWC 3, SSU 0
1962 SSU 19, EWC 7
1963 EWC 42, SSU 0
1964 EWC 24, SSU 0
1965 EWC 36, SSU 0
1966 SSU 9, EWC 6
1967 SSU 13, EWC 8
2003 EWC 34, SSU 28
2006 SSU 28, EWC 7
2007 EWC 24, SSU 7
2008 EWC 21, SSU 6
2009 SSU 45, EWC 24
2012 SSU 42, EWC 35
2019 SSU 49, EWC 19
2021 SSU 24, EWU 0
2022 SSU 31, EWU 28
PREVIEWING EDWARD WATERS:
LAST TIME OUT: Edward Waters was finally able to get in the win column last Saturday afternoon with a dominant 44-13 victory for the Tigers over Morehouse.
CONSISTENCY PAYS OFF: The Tigers offense had it's most consistent effort of the season last week, leading wire-to-wire vs. Morehouse. The Tigers for their second straight game had over 400 yards of total offense, finishing with 456 yards. EWU's passing offense continues to grow and thrive, posting 325 yards through the air. EWU is now 4th in the SIAC in passing offense, averaging 255.5 yards per game with 8 TD's. Graduate QB Jyron Russell has moved to the #2 spot in the SIAC in passing (74-119 passing, 62.2 comp. pct, 955 yards, 8 TDs, 6 INTs, Avg 238.8 YPG). Sophomore Johnny Jones is the conference's. 2nd leading receiver with 30 catches for 382 yards, avg. 12.7 ypg).
TIGERS DEFENSE GROWING UP: EWU's defense once again made major strides last week against Morehouse. The Tigers made several impact plays in the Maroon Tiger backfield and dictated the pace of play throughout the matchup. Junior linebacker and defensive captain Widmyer Garçon ranks 12th in the league in tackles with 27 on the season.
PREVIEWING SAVANNAH STATE:
SAVANNAH STATE LOOKING TO REBOUND: SSU is looking to get back in the win column after a tough 15-12 loss to Albany State last week in the Coastal City Classic in Brunswick SSU enters the contest with a 2-2 overall record and 1-1 in SIAC competition. The Tigers have exchanged wins and losses this season through their first four games. Savannah State won their opener against Southeastern on the road, lost a road match at Bethune-Cookman, won their home opener in come-from-behind fashion against Clark-Atlanta, then week's neutral site loss to Albany State.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Offensively, SSU ranks 10th in scoring offense (17.3 ppg), 12th in the SIAC in total offense (264.5 ypg), 6th in rushing offense (110.0 ypg), and 12th in passing offense (154.5 ypg). Defensively, the Tigers are fifth in scoring (21.8 ppg), third in total defense (312.8), fourth in rushing defense (119.8 ypg), and fourth against the pass (193.0).
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS: QB Jadon Adams is eighth in the conference in passing (52-107 passing, 609 yds, 3 TDs), RB Shamarcus Poole ranks 12th in rushing (29 carries, 132 yards, avg. 4.6 ypg, 1 TD) and Da'Shun Mitchell SSU's leading pass catcher & ranks 20th in the SIAC with 16 catches, 203 yards, avg. 12.7 ypc, & 50.8 ypg. On the defensive side, junior LB Tavare Brewton is fifth in the conference in tackles with 33, while Kirk Smith is sixth in interceptions with two.
KELTON IN SECOND SEASON: After leading Savannah State to an even 5-5 mark last season, Head Coach Aaron Kelton returns for year #2 at the helm of the program. Kelton is the 27th head football coach in the storied history of Savannah State University Football.
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