It’s been almost four weeks since Savannah State coach Steve Davenport suspended eight players. Only one has returned to the roster.
But since the date of the suspensions, whether a coincidence or not, the Tigers have been playing their best football.
Savannah State gets another chance to test its recent improvement when it meets Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference-leading Bethune-Cookman at T.A. Wright Stadium today at 5 p.m.
It’s the last home game of the season for the Tigers. SSU (1-8, 0-6 MEAC) will finish the season on the road in Orangeburg, S.C., against South Carolina State on Nov. 17.
Bethune-Cookman (7-2, 6-0 MEAC), ranked 22nd in the FCS Coaches top 25 poll, can clinch the MEAC’s automatic bid to the FCS playoffs with a win today.
Davenport would like to see the day when the Tigers are in a similar position as the Wildcats, but right now he had to clear up some fundamental issues.
“I think we all had to take a step back and recognize this (SSU football program) is something to be respected,” Davenport said. “It’s a blessing for me to be the head coach, for my staff to be coaches here and the players to be players here.”
Since the suspensions, SSU defeated Edward Waters 42-35, lost on the road to Hampton 21-13 and lost on the road at Norfolk State 33-21.
The Tigers had lost all six games before the suspensions by an average of more than 46 points a game.
Davenport said his defense has shown marked improvement and pointed to the play of cornerbacks John Wilson and Javon Moore.
SSU’s pass defense allows 177.8 yards a game and ranks 23rd in the Football Championship Subdivision among 121 teams.
“I think (the defense) is starting to understand (defensive coordinator Saeed) Khalif’s mentality,” Davenport said. “They played well against Hampton, but at the end of the day we’re one Savannah State. We’re one team, and if we can’t score one more point than the other team, we’re all disappointed.”
The defense will be tested by the multiple offensive attack of Bethune-Cookman.
The Wildcats are a power running team led by junior running back Isidore Jackson. B-CU averages 237.8 rushing yards a game (11th in FCS), and when the Wildcats look to the air, sophomore quarterback Quentin Williams leads the MEAC with a 147.2 passing efficiency rating.
Bethune also leads the nation with a plus-1.89 turnover margin.
“They give you so much to prepare for, and they do it with good athletes,” Davenport said. “They really play hard, and that’s a testament to coach (Brian) Jenkins and his staff. It’s a blueprint of where we want to get to.”
BETHUNE-COOKMAN AT SAVANNAH STATE
Records: Bethune-Cookman (7-2, 6-0 MEAC); Savannah State (1-8, 0-6 MEAC)
When: 5 p.m. today
Where: T.A. Wright Stadium, Savannah
TV/radio: No TV/WHCJ 90.3 FM
ON THE WEB
Go to savannahnow.com/sports to watch Savannah State coach Steve Davenport talk about the Tigers’ upcoming game with Bethune-Cookman.