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Sunday, Nov. 08, 2009

FVSU clicks in all phases, routs Albany State

COLUMBUS — Normally, Fort Valley State heads to town Friday and spends the night in a local hotel before the Fountain City Classic.

Donald Pittman was used to driving up on game day during his years as Albany State’s offensive coordinator, and the Rams always won.

So he changed things as FVSU’s first-year head coach and had the team bus on up hours before kickoff.

They did stay in a Perry hotel Friday night.

Apparently, it was a Holiday Inn Express.

Quarterback Nate Samas had a remarkable afternoon, and FVSU’s defense was physical as the Wildcats shocked Albany State 35-13 Saturday afternoon in the 20th Fountain City Classic at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium.

“I was in sixth or seventh grade,” Samas said of the last time FVSU won this game, back in 2001. “We just had to win.”

It was FVSU’s most complete performance in a long time, keyed by Samas, a senior from Americus who was 16-of-26 for 281 yards and two touchdowns.

“Coach (Pittman) told us, ‘No turnovers, and win the field position, and we’ll win the game,’ ” Samas said. “Preparation was the thing.”

The Wildcats held Albany State’s offense scoreless in the first and third quarters and kept the Rams to their lowest point total of the season. ASU lost 21-19 to Tuskegee, which won the SIAC championship, courtesy of FVSU’s win.

Senior linebacker Trent Newton returned a fumble 20 yards for a score, and Dajuan Williams took back one of his two interceptions for a score. Freshman cornerback Dominique Patterson was credited with four pass breakups but likely had more, considering ASU’s 50 pass attempts.

The Wildcats forced standout quarterback A.J. McKenna into one of his worst games of the season, far below his norm of 56.7 percent — although he did get 120 yards on the ground — and to only one touchdown as the Rams had to settle for two field goals.

Running back Demetrice Johnson managed only 10 yards.

FVSU has felt the sting of this rivalry, and the pure jubilation of returning the favor after so long was evident in the final minutes.

Two people on the Wildcats sideline tried to pick Pittman up, but all three ended up on the turf.

“I thought they were trying to get me with water,” said Pittman, still getting over the flu. “I didn’t need that.”

ASU got a field goal seconds into the second quarter, and FVSU missed one on its next possession.

The Wildcats didn’t miss much after that.

A booming 72-yard punt put the Wildcats at their own 3. Samas, who was 4-for-5 for 49 yards on the previous trip, started rolling. He found Rodriquez Render for 46 on third-and-7 and then connected with Terrell Walker for a 41-yard touchdown, going 4-for-6 for 140 yards along the way.

A defensive holding penalty gave Albany State 10 yards, and McKenna threw a strike to Octavious Staton for a 41-yard score and a 10-7 lead with 1:15 left.

No problem.

Brandon Anderson returned the kickoff to midfield, and Samas went deep to Darius Williams, who made the catch in coverage on first down. Two plays later, Samas leaped over center Bobby Young for the score.

Justin Rosenbaum’s kick gave FVSU a 14-10 lead with 29 seconds left.

Albany State needed three plays to get to the Wildcats’ 40. ASU’s Juan Bongarra, despite a shaky snap, had the distance but not quite the accuracy on a 57-yard field goal attempt to end the first half.

And FVSU led 14-10.

FVSU’s defense again flexed its muscle with a rare pop of McKenna late in the third, after Marquette King’s 64-yard punt put the Rams at their 15.

Safety Darnell Burks hit McKenna and caused a fumble which Jason Thompson recovered. On the first play, Samas stepped up in the pocket and zipped a 7-yard scoring pass to Render.

Only a minute or two later, senior linebacker Trent Newton picked up a loose ball and returned it 20 yards for yet another score.

Rosenbaum’s kick made it 28-10 a minute left in the third.

Albany State converted a long kickoff into a field goal early in the fourth, but Williams read McKenna’s eyes and gave the Wildcats an interception return for a score and a layer of icing to finish off the complete game and send FVSU’s seniors out with a win.

“I slept real good (Friday) night,” Samas said. “I did dream about the game. We won. I don’t remember my numbers, but we won.”

Hours later, dream became reality.