Columbus, GA – The 34th Annual Fountain City Classic football game between Albany State and Fort Valley State was a significant matchup for the Wildcats of Fort Valley State University looking to get their 3rd win in the last 10 contests between these two teams. If the Wildcats win, they will secure a bid to face off against Miles College in the SIAC Championship game which they lost earlier in the season.
Both teams were trying to establish their offense early in the game, having some success but still needing to make in-game adjustments to move the ball down the field. Albany State made defensive adjustments at the right time providing them with the go-ahead touchdown score to win in the first half.
The teams’ defensive adjustments at halftime prevented both teams from scoring any points. The Wildcats had an opportunity to win the game late in the fourth quarter behind the multiple penalties that helped the Wildcats move the ball down the field. On 4th and 1 in the red zone Albany State broke up a pass Kelvin Durham threw to a Wildcat receiver. Albany State took over on downs holding onto the ball and running down the clock to 13 seconds left in the game. Fort Valley State tried to move the ball down the field, coming up short with Durham completing a pass to Brandon Marshall with no time left on the clock in the game.
Fort Valley State found some offensive rhythm early in the game moving the ball down the field with Daniel Fields kicking a 40-plus yard field goal scoring the Wildcats first points of the game. The Golden Rams offense responded with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Golden Rams Quarterback Isaiah Knowles to Kristian Grant taking an early 7-3 lead. Fort Valley State regained the lead behind Kelvin Durham throwing a touchdown pass to Dejuan Bell to take an early 10-7 lead in the second quarter. The Golden Rams regained the lead behind quarterback Isaiah Knowles throwing another touchdown pass to Albany State receiver Xavier Herndon to recapture the lead 14-10.
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The Wildcats followed up with a 20-yard field goal by Daniel Fields cutting the Golden Rams lead to one point making the score 13-14. The Wildcats quarterback Kelvin Durham late in the second quarter deep at their end of the field threw an interception to Albany State defensive back Robert Floyd who returned it for a touchdown with the score 20-13. Fort Valley State blocked the point after attempt returning it for two points with the score being 20-15.
The time of possession was close, but the Fort Valley turnovers happened at critical times in the game. Albany State is your 34th Annual Fountain City Classic Champion and Fort Valley missed out on a valuable opportunity to play against Miles College for the SIAC(Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) Championship with the loss.