Jacksonville, Fla. — It's Homecoming Weekend on Kings Road and the Edward Waters University Football will be hosting the Central State Marauders this Saturday, November 1st inside Nathaniel Glover Stadium at 2:00 p.m. This will also be Senior Day for the Tigers and they will honor the 2025 senior class with a short recognition prior to this SIAC contest.
This game will be streamed on the ESPN+ platform as well as the SIAC Network.
TICKET INFORMATION:
Tickets Can Be Purchased Online At: GET TICKETS
BROADCAST INFORMATION:
Channel: ESPN+
Broadcasters: Derrin Horton/Greg Morton/Nia Symone
ESPN+ Broadcast Link: WATCH HERE
SIAC Broadcast Link: WATCH LIVE
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 5-3 mark, including a 4 -2 record in conference play under Coach Jenkins. Jenkins has taken the EWU Football Program to new heights as they 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 vs. Benedict. 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. Thomas also surpassed the EWU single single-season rushing record in the Tigers, 55-41 win over Clark Atlanta with a current mark of 804 with two more games left in the regular season.
COACHING RECORDS:
Brian Jenkins, Sr. (EWU):5-3, 4-2 (SIAC) 1st season
Tony Carter (CSU): 2-7, 2-5 (SIAC) 1st season
SERIES HISTORY
Saturday marks the fourth ever meeting between Central State and Edward Waters, since the EWU Tigers made the jump to Division II. The EWU Tigers have a 2-1 advantage in the series. After dropping the inaugural meeting in Ohio in 2019 (28-21), the Tigers have rattled off back-to-back wins in Jacksonville in 2021 (56-19) and in Ohio in 2022 (45-13).
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 nine weeks of the season. Bodden is currently first in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) with 1,934 passing yards on the season and second in the conference with 13 passing touchdowns. Bodden also leads the SIAC with 157 completions and an average of 241.8 passing yards per game.
Running back Johntarrious Thomas moved into second in the SIAC in rushing with 804 yards after surpassing the EWU single season rushing record as well as the EWU single game rushing record with 243 yards against Bendict, which earned him SIAC Offensive Player of the Week. Thomas leads the SIAC with 7.2 yards per carry and is second in the conference in rushing yards per game (100.5), rushing attempts (112) and rushing touchdowns (9). Fellow running back Brady Tillman is second in the SIAC with 6.7 yards per carry and has rushed for 335 total yards on 50 carries with two touchdowns.
Senior wide receiver Makai Lovett is currently sixth in the league in receptions with 36. Lovett is tied for second in the league with five touchdowns and eighth in the SIAC in yards (458) and yards per game (57.3).
In total, through six games the EWU Tiger offense is second in the SIAC in scoring offense averaging 32.5 points per game as well as second in the SIAC in total yards per game with 397.3. Edward Waters' passing attack also ranks second in the SIAC averaging 248.3 yards per contest, and the rushing attack currently sits third in the league at 149 yards per game.
Defensively, EWU has been tremendous since the start of the year. The Tigers are currently tied for 16th in all of Division II with 17 total turnovers gained.
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 52 total tackles, which leads the team and is 12th best in the SIAC right now. His 35 solo tackles are 6th most in the SIAC. Law-Mortimer is tied for second in the conference lead with three interceptions this season.
Defensive Lineman Antonio Henley leads the conference in tackles for loss at 18 on the year in only seven games played along with two fumbles recovered. Henley and fellow defensive lineman Jamari Pierre tied for tops in the league in fumbles forced with three.
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.
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 fourth in the league with 450 kick return yards.
Under Coach Jenkins' leadership, the Tigers are expected to emphasize tempo offense and discipline on defense.
CENTRAL STATE MARAUDERS PREVIEW
The Central State Marauders enter Saturday's game with a 2-7 mark on the season after dropping their last three contests. This will be the Marauders first road game since their October 4 meeting against Fort Valley State. Central State have garnered victories over Lane and Fort Valley State on the season.
Quarterback Qeanu Campbell-Caldwell leads the Marauders with 962 yards passing and seven touchdowns with two interceptions. Dai'Vontay Younge is Central State's leading rusher with 472 yards rushing so far this season with three touchdowns. Wide receiver Latrell Snow has racked up 163 yards with no touchdown receptions for the CSU Marauders. The Marauders are ninth in the conference in scoring offense, scoring just under 20 points per game.
Central State is ranked seventh in scoring defense, allowing 25.1 points per game. Linebacker Dominique Davis II leads the team and the SIAC with 101 total tackles to go along with 13 tackles for a loss, five sacks, four interceptions, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Fellow linebacker Bishop Blakely has tallied 53 total tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss.
DUVAL HOMECOMING
Central State's coaching staff is full of Jacksonville natives with deep roots within Duval. Head Coach Tony Carter, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, Carter was a standout multi-sport athlete at Mandarin High School, earning third-team all-state honors and national recognition as one of the top cornerback recruits in the country. Offensive Coordinator Leon Washington, another native of Jacksonville, Florida, brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience at the highest levels of football. A standout at Andrew Jackson High School, Washington was named "Mr. Florida" in 2002 after rushing for 2,437 yards and 28 touchdowns, returning multiple kicks for scores, and making significant contributions on defense.
LOOKING AHEAD
After their Tigers celebrate Homecoming in The Jungle clash with the Central State Marauders, the EWU Tigers will conclude the 2025 regular season participating in the annual AME Classic against Allen University. The meeting with Allen takes place on November 8 at Fairfield Central High School in Winnsboro, Ga. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 pm. This will be the Yellowjackets Homecoming and Senior Day celebrations.
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.
