Savannah State Tigers football

Last updated
Savannah State Tigers football
Savannah State Tigers wordmark.png
First season1902
Athletic directorOpio Mashariki
Head coach Aaron Kelton
2nd season, 7–13 (.350)
Stadium Ted Wright Stadium
(capacity: 13,500)
Year built1967
Field surfaceFieldTurf
Location Savannah, Georgia
NCAA division Division II
Conference Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)
All-time record491–567–18 (.465)
Conference titles12 (since 1940)
Consensus All-Americans10
ColorsBurnt orange and reflex blue [1]
   
Marching band Savannah State Marching Tiger Band
Website ssuathletics.com

The Savannah State Tigers football team represents Savannah State University in college football. The Tigers are members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). [2] The football team is traditionally the most popular sport at Savannah State and home games are played at Ted A. Wright Stadium in Savannah, Georgia.

Contents

After moving to the NCAA Division I FCS in 2000, the Tigers compiled a record of 80–137. [3] While in the FCS, the team competed in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. In 2019, the Tigers moved back to NCAA Division II and rejoined the SIAC. Savannah State has played football since 1902, though they did not field a team in 1943 to 1945. Through the 2018 season, the Tigers have compiled an all-time record of 491–567–18 (.465). [3]

The program's largest margin of victory was 87 points in an 87–0 victory over Miles College in 1992. The largest margin of defeat was 98 points against Bethune-Cookman College in 1953 (Bethune-Cookman 98, Savannah State 0). [4] Prior to a game against the Florida State Seminoles in 2012, the Seminoles were installed as 70.5 point favorites, reportedly making Savannah State the biggest underdogs in any college football game ever. [5]

The team regularly participates in one or more black football classics each season, including the CSRA Football Classic and the Joe Turner Classic. The team has previously participated in the Gateway Classic, the Miami Classic, the Palmetto Capital City Classic, and the Circle City Classic.

Conference affiliations

ConferenceJoinedLeft
Independent19151928
Southeastern Athletic Conference 19291961
Independent19621968
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)19691999
NCAA Division I-AA/FCS independent 20002009
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)20102018
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)2019

No team: 1916–1922, 1924, 1943–1945

On September 8, 2010, Savannah State University was confirmed as a full member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), making the Tigers eligible to participate in all conference championships and earn the conference's automatic berth to NCAA postseason competition in all sponsored sports. [6]

Conference championships and NCAA playoff appearances

The Tigers were Southeastern Athletic Conference champions in 1938, 1948, 1950, and 1956. [7] [8] The team's only playoff appearance occurred in 1992 The Tigers, led by head coach Bill Davis, were defeated by Jacksonville State in the first round of the NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs, 41–16.

Season-by-season records

  NCAA I-AA MEAC   NCAA I-AA Independent   SIAC (NCAA Division II)   NCAA Division III   NAIA Southeastern

Retired numbers

The Tigers has retired only one number. [35]

No.PlayerPositionTenure
2 Shannon Sharpe FL/TE 1986–1989

Notable players and coaches

Some notable Savannah State football players and coaches include:

NameClass yearPositionNotabilityReference(s)
Steven Aycock1993Offensive linemanHead football coach at Johnson C. Smith University [36]
Eric Brown1989Cornerback/Safetyformer NFL player with the Dallas Cowboys [37]
Chadrick Cone 2006Running BackSigned by the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League in 2006 and the Columbus Lions of the American Indoor Football Association in 2009 [38] [39]
Bobby Curtis 1987Linebackerformer NFL player with the Washington Redskins and New York Jets [38]
Ken Dawson1981Running Back10th round pick by the Seattle Seahawks; #252 overall pick [40] [41] [42]
Roy Ellison1987Guard/Center NFL official and umpire during Super Bowl XLIII [43]
Aaron Fields2000Defensive Endformer NFL player with the Dallas Cowboys [40]
Troy Hambrick 2000Running Backformer NFL player who averaged 4.1 yards per carry in his 5 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys (2000–2003) and the Arizona Cardinals (2004). [40] [38]
Britt Henderson1996Defensive Back1996 First Team All American [13]
Patrick Jacksonunknownformer United Indoor Football player who played with the Rock River Raptors [38]
Jonathan Johnsonunknownformer United Indoor Football player who played with the Rock River Raptors [38]
Lemuel Ligdonunknownformer NFL Europe player who played with the Rhein Fire [38]
Wesley McGriff1990Outside Linebackercurrent defensive backs coach and defensive recruiting coordinator for the Vanderbilt Commodores. Former defensive backs coach for the Miami Hurricanes and former interim coach and defensive coordinator at Savannah State University. [44] [45]
Ernest "The Cat" Miller LinebackerAll-American linebacker and former professional wrestler [46]
Andrew Mitchellunknownformer Arena Football League player who played with the Arizona Rattlers [38]
Tahj Mowry Running Backformer child actor from the sitcom "Smart Guy", played football at SSU for 1 season
Wes Phillips1979Offensive Tackleformer NFL player with the Houston Oilers [40]
Shannon Sharpe 1986–89Wide Receiver / Tight End1989 First team All American, former NFL player with the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, three-time Super Bowl champion, and former NFL's all-time leader in receptions (815) by a tight end (record now held by Tony Gonzalez). He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. [13] [40] [47]
Tim Walker1980Linebacker1979 First Team All American and former NFL player with the Seattle Seahawks [13] [40]
Steve Wilks 1999Defensive coordinatorformer defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference</span> Collegiate athletic conference

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II level. Formed in 1913, it consists mostly of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), with all but one member located in the Southern United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stillman College</span> Historically black private college in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA

Stillman College is a private historically black Presbyterian college in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It awards Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in 22 programs housed within three academic schools. The college has an average enrollment of 728 students and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edward Waters University</span> Private historically Black college in Jacksonville, Florida

Edward Waters University is a private Christian historically Black university in Jacksonville, Florida. It was founded in 1866 by members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church as a school to educate freedmen and their children. It was the first independent institution of higher education and the first historically black college in the State of Florida. It continues to be affiliated with the AME Church and is a member of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida.

Tiger Arena is a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Savannah, Georgia, United States. It is home to the Savannah State University Tigers men's and women's basketball teams and women's volleyball team. Tiger Arena has previously hosted the Georgia High School Association boys and girls playoffs, the annual Georgia Athletic Coaches Association's North-South All-Star Game (2003–2008), and the Savannah Holiday Classic high school girls basketball tournament. It was also home to the Savannah Steam of American Indoor Football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Savannah State University</span> Historically black university in Savannah, Georgia, US

Savannah State University is a public historically black university in Savannah, Georgia. It is the oldest historically black public university in the state. The university is a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Savannah State Tigers and Lady Tigers</span> Athletic teams representing Savannah State University

The Savannah State Tigers and Lady Tigers are the men's and women's intercollegiate athletic teams that play for Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia.

The 2008 Savannah State Tigers football team competed in college football on behalf of the Savannah State University. The Tigers competed an independent as the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level. This was the first season under the guidance of head coach Robby Wells.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Savannah State Tigers basketball</span> College basketball team

The Savannah State Tigers basketball team represents Savannah State University and competes in NCAA Division II as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference since July 2019. The Tigers play their home games in Tiger Arena on the university's Savannah, Georgia campus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alabama A&M Bulldogs football</span> American college football team

The Alabama A&M Bulldogs are the college football team representing the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University. They play in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

The 2009 Savannah State Tigers football team represented Savannah State University in American football. The Tigers were members of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision as an independent. This was the second season under the guidance of head coach Robby Wells.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DePauw Tigers</span> Athletic teams that represent DePauw University

The DePauw Tigers are the athletic teams that represent DePauw University, a small liberal arts school in Greencastle, Indiana. The university's teams play in the NCAA Division III and currently belong to the North Coast Athletic Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Savannah State Tigers football team</span> American college football season

The 2010 Savannah State Tigers football team represented Savannah State University in American football. The Tigers were members of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision as a first year member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lincoln Blue Tigers</span> Athletic teams representing Lincoln University

The Lincoln Blue Tigers are the athletic teams that represent Lincoln University, located in Jefferson City, Missouri, in intercollegiate sports as a member of the NCAA Division II ranks, primarily competing in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) since the 2024–25 academic year. The Blue Tigers previously competed in the Heartland Conference (1999–2010) and the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuskegee Golden Tigers</span> Athletic teams representing Tuskegee University

The Tuskegee Golden Tigers represent Tuskegee University in intercollegiate athletics. They are a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II and compete within the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). The university has a total of 10 varsity sports teams, five men's teams called the "Golden Tigers", and five women's teams called the "Tigerettes".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Savannah State Tigers football team</span> American college football season

The 2011 Savannah State Tigers football team represented Savannah State University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Tigers are a first year member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). This was the first season under the guidance of head coach Steve Davenport and played their home games at Ted Wright Stadium. They finished the season 1–10, 1–7 in MEAC play to finish in a tie for ninth place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Savannah State Lady Tigers basketball</span> College basketball team

The Savannah State Lady Tigers women's basketball team represents Savannah State University in women's basketball. The school competes in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Lady Tigers play home games at Tiger Arena in Savannah, Georgia. The current head coach is Cedric Baker. Baker was named head coach on July 30, 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Carolina A&T–South Carolina State football rivalry</span> American college football rivalry game

The North Carolina A&T–South Carolina State football rivalry is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Aggies of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and the Bulldogs of South Carolina State University. The series dates back to 1924 and is driven by the proximity of the two schools, as both are within The Carolinas; and conference alignments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017–18 Savannah State Tigers basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2017–18 Savannah State Tigers basketball team represented Savannah State University during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Tigers, led by 13th-year head coach Horace Broadnax, played their home games at Tiger Arena in Savannah, Georgia as members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. With a win over South Carolina State on March 1, 2018, the Tigers earned a share of the MEAC regular season championship. They finished the season 15–17, 12–4 in MEAC play, finishing in a three-way tie for first place. Due to tie-breaking procedures, the Tigers received the No. 3 seed in the MEAC tournament, where they lost to North Carolina Central in the quarterfinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Savannah State Tigers football team</span> American college football season

The 2018 Savannah State Tigers football team represented Savannah State University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Tigers were members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). They were led by third-year head coach Erik Raeburn and played their home games at Ted Wright Stadium. They finished the season 2–8, 1–6 in MEAC play to finish in last place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central State Marauders and Lady Marauders</span> Sports teams of Central State University

The Central State Marauders and Lady Marauders are the athletic teams that represent Central State University, located in Wilberforce, Ohio, in intercollegiate sports as a member of the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) since the 2015–16 academic year. The Marauders and Lady Marauders previously competed in the D-II Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) from 2012–13 to 2014–15, and as an NCAA D-II Independent from 2002–03 to 2011–12; as well as competing in the American Mideast Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 2000–01 to 2001–02.

References

  1. ↑ "Savannah State University Athletics – 2016 Football Quick Facts" . Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  2. ↑ Barnidge, Noell (2010-03-11). "Savannah State joins Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference". SavannahNow.com. Savannah Morning News and Evening Press . Retrieved 2010-03-11.
  3. 1 2 "Savannah State Yearly Totals". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  4. ↑ "GWU Rolls Past Savannah State, 66-0, Saturday Afternoon". Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2007-11-06.
  5. ↑ Brooks, Matt. Savannah State is biggest underdog in college football history against Florida State. WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  6. ↑ "N.C. Central and Savannah State Become Full Members". MEACSports.com. Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Conference Championships: Southeastern Athletic Conference". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2007.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah State Composite Championship Listing". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  9. 1 2 "SSU names Robby Wells head football coach". 2007-12-22. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  10. ↑ "SSU fires Lemon". 2007-11-30. Retrieved 2007-11-30.
  11. ↑ "infractions".
  12. ↑ "Savannah State placed on three years' probation". 19 May 2006. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Records Book" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Delaware State University visits Savannah State" . Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  15. 1 2 "1999 NCAA Football Schedules and 1998 Results" (PDF). NCAA. p. 557. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 8, 2007. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  16. 1 2 "McNeill Resigns Savannah State Football Post" . Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  17. ↑ "Savannah State Receives Probation, Financial Aid cuts".[ permanent dead link ]
  18. 1 2 "Avery contacts team via voice mail" . Retrieved 2009-03-11.
  19. 1 2 "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
  20. 1 2 "Ex-SSU coach watches son play for MVSU" . Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  21. ↑ "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah State Yearly Results" . Retrieved 2008-03-06.[ dead link ]
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Savannah State Yearly Results" . Retrieved 2008-03-06.[ dead link ]
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  33. ↑ "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  34. ↑ "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  35. ↑ "SSU Retires Shannon Sharpe's Jersey". ssuathletics.com. October 19, 2009. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  36. ↑ "Sand Gnats make radio deal". SavannahNow.com. Savannah Morning News and Evening Press. 2009-01-28. Archived from the original on 2012-07-14. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
  37. ↑ "All-time Players Page: Troy Hambrick". NFL.com. Retrieved 2007-10-09.
  38. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Former Tigers sign football contracts". 2007-11-13. Retrieved 2007-11-16.
  39. ↑ "Ex-SSU RB Cone signs with indoor team". 2008-11-11. Archived from the original on 2008-11-13. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  40. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "NFL Players who attended Savannah State University". Archived from the original on 2008-03-07. Retrieved 2007-10-09.
  41. ↑ "1981 Seattle Seashawks". Archived from the original on 2007-04-10. Retrieved 2007-10-09.
  42. ↑ "Seattle Seahawks draft history". NFL.com . Retrieved 2007-10-09.
  43. ↑ "Savannah State Alumnus Officiates Super Bowl XLIII" (PDF). The Savannah Tribune. The Savannah Tribune, Inc. 2009-02-11. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  44. ↑ "Sports with Walter Moore". The Savannah Tribune. The Savannah Tribune, Inc. 2011-02-16. Retrieved 2011-02-16.
  45. ↑ "Player Bio:Wesley McGriff". Archived from the original on 2007-11-11. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
  46. ↑ "The early days of WCW star Ernest Miller". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 1, 2013. Retrieved 2007-11-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  47. ↑ "NFL.com Writers: Shannon Sharpe". NFL.com. 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-03-28. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.