Savannah State Tigers football

Last updated

Savannah State Tigers football
Savannah State Tigers wordmark.png
First season1902;123 years ago (1902)
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.

Savannah State Tigers retired numbers
No.PlayerPos.TenureRef.
2 Shannon Sharpe TE 1986–1989 [35]

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]
Roosevelt Williams 1998Cornerbackformer NFL player with the Chicago Bears

Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns

[40]
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">Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference</span> American collegiate athletic conference

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is a collegiate athletic conference whose full members are historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the Southeastern and the Mid-Atlantic United States. It participates in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I, and in football, in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Miss Golden Eagles</span> Athletics program of the University of Southern Mississippi

The Southern Miss Golden Eagles and Lady Eagles are the intercollegiate athletics teams that represent the University of Southern Mississippi (USM), located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The Golden Eagles compete at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level mainly as a member of the Sun Belt Conference (SBC). USM's newest sport of women's beach volleyball, a sport not currently sponsored by the Sun Belt, was added in the 2018–19 school year and competes in Conference USA. The school's earliest nickname was Tigers. Thereafter came such nicknames as Normalites, Yellow Jackets, Confederates, and Southerners. Golden Eagles was selected in a student/alumni vote in the early 1972. Seymour d'Campus is the name of the modern-day mascot eagle.

<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> Baseball team in Savannah, Georgia

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.

Richard Basil is the former head football coach at 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">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">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">2016 Savannah State Tigers football team</span> American college football season

The 2016 Savannah State Tigers football team represented Savannah State University in the 2016 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Tigers were members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). They were led by first-year head coach Erik Raeburn and played their home games at Ted Wright Stadium. They finished the season 3-7, 2-6 in MEAC play to finish in a three way tie for seventh place.

<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 (MEAC). 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.

The 1984 UC Davis football team represented the University of California, Davis as a member of the Northern California Athletic Conference (NCAC) during the 1984 NCAA Division II football season. Led by 15th-year head coach Jim Sochor, UC Davis compiled an overall record of 9–2 with a mark of 6–0 in conference play, winning the NCAC title for the 14th consecutive season. 1984 was the team's 15th consecutive winning season. With the 6–0 conference record, the team stretched their conference winning streak to 21 games dating back to the 1981 season. The Aggies were ranked as high as No. 6 in the NCAA Division II poll. They advanced to the NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs for the third straight year, where they lost to North Dakota State in the quarterfinals. This was the second straight year that North Dakota State eliminated UC Davis in the playoffs. The team outscored its opponents 295 to 133 for the season. The Aggies played home games at Toomey Field in Davis, California.

<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">2018–19 Savannah State Tigers basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2018–19 Savannah State Tigers basketball team represented Savannah State University during the 2018–19 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Tigers, led by 14th-year head coach Horace Broadnax, played their home games at Tiger Arena in Savannah, Georgia as members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). They finished the season 11–20 overall, 8–8 in MEAC play, to finish in seventh place. As the No. 7 seed in the MEAC tournament they lost in the first round to No. 11 seed Delaware State.

References

  1. ↑ "Savannah State University Athletics – 2016 Football Quick Facts" . Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  2. ↑ Barnidge, Noell (March 11, 2010). "Savannah State joins Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference". SavannahNow.com. Savannah Morning News and Evening Press . Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  3. 1 2 "Savannah State Yearly Totals". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  4. ↑ "GWU Rolls Past Savannah State, 66-0, Saturday Afternoon". Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2007.
  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 September 9, 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 March 6, 2008.
  9. 1 2 "SSU names Robby Wells head football coach". December 22, 2007. Retrieved December 26, 2007.
  10. ↑ "SSU fires Lemon". November 30, 2007. Retrieved November 30, 2007.
  11. ↑ "infractions".
  12. ↑ "Savannah State placed on three years' probation". May 19, 2006. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  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 September 30, 2007. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Delaware State University visits Savannah State" . Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  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 November 20, 2007.
  17. ↑ "Savannah State Receives Probation, Financial Aid cuts".[ permanent dead link ]
  18. 1 2 "Avery contacts team via voice mail" . Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  19. 1 2 "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved April 10, 2008.
  20. 1 2 "Ex-SSU coach watches son play for MVSU" . Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  21. ↑ "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah State Yearly Results" . Retrieved March 6, 2008.[ dead link ]
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Savannah State Yearly Results" . Retrieved March 6, 2008.[ dead link ]
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  33. ↑ "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  34. ↑ "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  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. January 28, 2009. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  37. ↑ "All-time Players Page: Troy Hambrick". NFL.com. Retrieved October 9, 2007.
  38. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Former Tigers sign football contracts". November 13, 2007. Retrieved November 16, 2007.
  39. ↑ "Ex-SSU RB Cone signs with indoor team". November 11, 2008. Archived from the original on November 13, 2008. Retrieved November 11, 2008.
  40. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "NFL Players who attended Savannah State University". Archived from the original on March 7, 2008. Retrieved October 9, 2007.
  41. ↑ "1981 Seattle Seashawks". Archived from the original on April 10, 2007. Retrieved October 9, 2007.
  42. ↑ "Seattle Seahawks draft history". NFL.com . Retrieved October 9, 2007.
  43. ↑ "Savannah State Alumnus Officiates Super Bowl XLIII" (PDF). The Savannah Tribune. The Savannah Tribune, Inc. February 11, 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2009.
  44. ↑ "Sports with Walter Moore". The Savannah Tribune. The Savannah Tribune, Inc. February 16, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2011.
  45. ↑ "Player Bio:Wesley McGriff". Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved November 22, 2007.
  46. ↑ "The early days of WCW star Ernest Miller". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 1, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2007.
  47. ↑ "NFL.com Writers: Shannon Sharpe". NFL.com. 2007. Archived from the original on March 28, 2007. Retrieved April 4, 2007.
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.