Wildcats drop season opener

Fort Valley State lost its season and SIAC opener, and its head coach’s debut, Sunday by dropping a 34-21 decision to Miles in Birmingham, Alabama.

The Wildcats led 21-0 and then 21-3 at halftime in Kevin Porter’s first game as their head coach, but the Golden Bears dominated the second half to get the win.

Brian Walker got the Wildcats off to a strong start with a 91-yard interception return for a score, and then quarterback Demontay Jones hit Otis Brown with scoring passes of 3 and 13 yards for the three-touchdown lead.

Jones threw for 248 yards, completing 20-of-26 passes, while Brown had six catches for 72 yards.

But Miles scored 21 points in the third quarter to take the lead and outscore Fort Valley State 10-0 in the fourth quarter to put the game away.

Jason Johnson and Larry Matthews led Fort Valley State with seven tackles each. 

Fort Valley State returns to action Saturday at Lane. The Wildcats’ home opener is Sept. 17 against Clark Atlanta.

This story was originally published September 4, 2016 at 8:23 PM with the headline "Wildcats drop season opener."