JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Edward Waters University Football delivered a statement victory Saturday afternoon, overcoming a 14-point halftime deficit to defeat Kentucky State University, 61-42, at Nathaniel Glover Community Field & Stadium.
The Tigers erupted for 47 second-half points, including 28 in the fourth quarter, to improve to 5-1 overall and 4-0 in SIAC play. With the victory, Edward Waters takes sole possession of first place in the SIAC standings and remains unbeaten in conference play. The win also marked EWU's first-ever victory over Kentucky State since joining the SIAC.
Quarterback Tavion Faulk turned in a career day to lead an explosive Edward Waters offense. Faulk completed 32-of-40 passes for 498 yards and four touchdowns, while adding another touchdown on the ground. His 498 passing yards accounted for the bulk of an EWU attack that piled up a staggering 614 yards of total offense.
Edward Waters struck first when Faulk connected with Jayden Pressey for a 48-yard touchdown less than two minutes into the contest. Kentucky State quickly answered and eventually took control, scoring three consecutive touchdowns to build a 21-7 advantage early in the second quarter.
Camren Stewart brought EWU back within seven with a one-yard touchdown run, but Kentucky State responded again to take a 28-14 advantage into halftime.
Whatever momentum Kentucky State carried into the locker room quickly disappeared after the break.
The Tigers opened the second half with three consecutive touchdowns. Faulk found Tylon Williams for a 24-yard score to cut the deficit to 28-20. The EWU defense then created a major momentum swing when Javon Miller and Darius Johnson combined for a sack that forced a fumble, which Johnson recovered and returned 32 yards to the Kentucky State 18-yard line. Four plays later, Stewart scored from seven yards out to pull the Tigers within two, 28-26.
Edward Waters took its first lead since the opening quarter when Faulk connected with Pressey for an 11-yard touchdown, putting the Tigers ahead 33-28. Kentucky State responded late in the third quarter to regain a 34-33 advantage, setting the stage for an explosive final period.
The fourth quarter belonged to the Tigers.
Faulk connected with Izaiah Jean-Baptiste for an eight-yard touchdown just 41 seconds into the period, giving EWU a 40-34 lead it would never relinquish. Following another Kentucky State turnover, Johntarrious Thomas scored on a two-yard run to stretch the advantage to 47-34.
Kentucky State cut the lead to five at 47-42, but Edward Waters responded with the game's final 14 points. Faulk capped a six-play, 66-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown run before Thomas put the finishing touches on the victory with a three-yard score with 2:51 remaining.
Faulk spread the ball around throughout his record-setting afternoon, with three EWU receivers surpassing 100 yards. Tylon Williams caught six passes for a team-high 127 yards and a touchdown, while Jean-Baptiste hauled in a game-high 10 receptions for 114 yards and a score. Pressey finished with three receptions for 76 yards and two touchdowns. Fatoma Paulk added 61 receiving yards, while Thomas contributed 47 yards through the air.
The Tigers also found success on the ground when it mattered most. Stewart rushed for 54 yards and two touchdowns, while Thomas finished with 46 yards and two scores. Faulk's fourth-quarter rushing touchdown gave EWU five rushing touchdowns to go along with its four scores through the air.
Defensively, Edward Waters registered six sacks and nine tackles for loss while forcing two Kentucky State fumbles. Trevon French led the Tigers with 12 total tackles, while Jordan Allen recorded two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. Miller was credited with 1.5 sacks, while Tyreese Williams added another.
The victory continued an impressive run for Edward Waters, which has now won four consecutive games following its lone loss of the season. More importantly, the Tigers are 4-0 in SIAC play and now sit alone atop the conference standings after securing their first SIAC-era victory over Kentucky State.
Saturday's comeback also provided another glimpse of the explosiveness of an EWU offense that has now scored 46 or more points in three consecutive games, including 55 against Savannah State, 46 at Morehouse and a season-high 61 against Kentucky State.
The Tigers will be idle next week before returning to action with a road matchup against Benedict on Saturday October 17 at 2:00 PM. The game will be live on ESPN+.
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