Jacksonville, Fla. — The Edward Waters University Football hits the road this Saturday, October 25 to ruin homecoming for SIAC foe Clark Atlanta inside CAU Panther Stadium at 1:00 p.m.
TICKET INFORMATION:
Tickets Can Be Purchased Online At: https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2new/team.asp?sponsorid=19312
BROADCAST INFORMATION:
Channel: HBCU Go
Broadcasters: Derrin Horton/Greg Morton/Nia Symone
Broadcast Link: https://weathergroup.wixstudio.com/hbcugo
Live Stats: https: https://clarkatlantasports.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
WEATHER REPORT:
The projected game-time forecast calls for clear skies with temperatures in the high 70s.
MAKING HISTORY
On Friday, September 19, Edward Waters University promoted Brian Jenkins Sr. to Head Football Coach from Interim Head Football Coach. The EWU Tigers enter this match with a 4-3 mark under Coach Jenkins. Jenkins has taken the EWU Football Program to new heights as they have won their first three games of the season for the first time since 1964.
Running back Johntarrious Thomas etched his name into the Edward Waters record books, rushing for a school-record 243 yards on just 21 carries. His 243-yard effort not only set a new single-game rushing record but also marked the highest individual rushing total in the SIAC this season.
COACHING RECORDS:
Brian Jenkins, Sr. (EWU):4-3, 1st season
Teddy Keaton (CAU): 2-5, 1st season
SERIES HISTORY
Saturday marks the third ever meeting between Clark Atlanta and Edward Waters, since the EWU Tigers made the jump to Division II. The CAU Panthers have a23-0 advantage in the series. Clark Atlanta pulled off a thrilling 39-34 victory over Edward Waters in their 2023 meeting in Jacksonville.
EDWARD WATERS TIGERS PREVIEW
The Edward Waters offense will be led by transfer veteran quarterbacks Noah Bodden, who has been on a tear through the first eight weeks of the season. Bodden is currently fourth in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) with nine passing touchdowns and second in the conference with passing yards (1,566). Running back Johntarrious Thomas moved into second in the SIAC in rushing with 713 after setting the EWU rushing record with 243 yards against Bendict, which earned him SIAC Offensive Player of the Week. Thomas leads the SIAC with 7.6 yards per carry and is averaging 102 yards per game. Senior wide receivers Izaiah Jean-Baptiste and Makai Lovett currently sit in 13th and 14th in receiving yards per game with 51.4 and 49.9.
In total, through six games the EWU Tiger offense is fourth in the SIAC in scoring offense averaging 29.3 points per game. Edward Waters passing attack also ranks fourth in the SIAC averaging 231.1 yards per contest.
Defensively, EWU has been tremendous since the start of the year. The Tigers are currently tied for 19th in all of Division II with 15 total turnovers forced. EWU Football has also received back-to-back SIAC Defensive Player of the Week honors as David Law-Mortimer took home the award in week one and Trevon French garnered the award for week two. French has compiled 49 total tackles, which leads the team and is 11th best in the SIAC right now. His 30 solo tackles are 8th most in the SIAC. Law-Mortimer is tied for second in the conference lead with three interceptions this season.
The Tigers rank ninth in the SIAC in points allowed at 28.3 per game, but Edward Waters has limited opponents to only 355.3 yards of offense per game, the eighth best mark in the league. The Tigers have the seventh best passing defense in the conference at 201.9 yards per game, while sitting ninth in average rushing yards allowed at 153.4 per game.
Defensive Lineman Antonio Henley is second in the conference in tackles for loss at 12 on the year in only six games played along with four fumbles recovered and fellow defensive lineman Jamari Pierre tied for tops in the league in fumbles forced with three.
Returner and wide receiver Kiren Jackson are tied for first in SIAC with two kickoff return touchdowns on the season. Jackson was named SIAC Special Teams Player of Week after returning a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown in EWU's 41-38 Unity Classic victory over Virginia Union. On the season, Jackson is fifth in the league with 366 kick return yards.
Under Coach Jenkins' leadership, the Tigers are expected to emphasize tempo offense and discipline on defense.
CLARK ATLANTA PANTHERS PREVIEW
The Clark Atlanta Panthers enter their homecoming Saturday's game with a 2-5 mark on the season after dropping their last four contests. This will be the Panthers third home game in the month of October as they are coming off a 27-20 road loss to Miles last weekend. The Panthers have garnered victories over Florida Memorial and Fort Valley State.
Quarterback Xzavier Jackson leads the Tigers with 1,078 yards passing and nine touchdowns with two interceptions. Alan Riggins is Clark's leading rusher with 305 yards rushing so far this season. Wide receiver Armone Harris has racked up 485 yards and four receiving touchdowns for the CAU Panthers.
The Panthers are tenth in the conference in scoring defense, allowing 33.0 points per game. Linebacker Eric Searcy leads the team with 48 total tackles, one forced fumble and one interception. Defensive end Kurtis Waye has tallied 43 tackles with 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss.
LOOKING AHEAD
After their Tigers clash with the Clark Atlanta Panthers, the EWU Tigers will return home for their 2026 Homecoming and Senior day festivities. The meeting with Central State takes place on November 1 inside Nathaniel Glover Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. , Ga. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 pm.
Follow The Tigers
For complete coverage of Edward Waters University Athletics, follow the Tigers on social media @EWU_Athletics (Twitter), /EWUTigers (Facebook) and @EWU_Athletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Edward Waters Athletics at EWUTigerPride.com.
