Columbus, Ga. – The Albany State Golden Rams delivered a statement victory on Saturday afternoon, dismantling their longtime rivals, the Fort Valley State Wildcats, with a commanding 48–3 win in the 35th Annual Fountain City Classic at AJ McClung Memorial Stadium.

With this victory, Albany State not only finished the conference regular season undefeated but also solidified its dominance in the Fountain City Classic, now leading the series against Fort Valley State with a record of 27–8 in this Columbus-era rivalry. The all-time series between the two programs is now tied at 42–42–4, highlighting the long and competitive history between these two storied institutions.

The Golden Rams set the tone early in the game by having quarterback Isaiah Knowles connect with tight end Jamarion Davis for a pass up the middle, resulting in a 45-yard touchdown during the opening drive. From the very start, the Golden Rams imposed their dominance on both offense and defense, delivering a powerful performance that showcased their status as the top-ranked team in the SIAC and the champions of the Eastern Division. Knowles led a well-balanced offensive strategy, effectively distributing the ball, while the running game and special teams contributed with explosive plays throughout the match.

Fort Valley State answered midway through the second quarter with a 45-yard field goal from Kyle Keese, trimming the deficit to 7–3. But that was the Wildcats' only score of the afternoon, as the Golden Rams unleashed an offensive and defensive onslaught that quickly put the game out of reach.

Running back Roderick McCrary ignited the momentum with a 34-yard touchdown run, followed minutes later by a highlight-reel pick-six from Tyrell Gainey, who returned an interception to the end zone for a 21–3 advantage.
Just 56 seconds later, Tiant Wyche bulldozed his way into the end zone from one yard out to extend the lead to 28–3. The Golden Rams capitalized again before the half when Knowles connected with Jamill Williams on a trick-play touchdown pass from three yards out, sending Albany State into the locker room with a commanding 35–3 halftime lead.

On defense, the legendary "Dirty Blue Defense" lived up to its reputation, suffocating the Wildcats' offense and limiting them to just three points. Albany State's defensive front controlled the line of scrimmage, forcing hurried throws, disrupting the run game, and creating multiple turnovers that shifted momentum early.

In the fourth quarter, William Heck added a 16-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 42–3. Moments later, Devonte James put the exclamation point on the victory with a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown, sealing the lopsided 48–3 win.
Special teams also played a major role in the victory. Return specialist Cam Watts, one of the SIAC's most explosive players, gave the Rams excellent field position with key returns, while Kyle Wright and Ian Kelley continued their steady play in the kicking game.

With this victory, Albany State not only extends its dominance over Fort Valley State in the Fountain City Classic, but it also enters the postseason with significant momentum. In front of a packed crowd in blue and gold, the Golden Rams demonstrated their strength, discipline, and championship mindset. As the celebration echoed throughout Columbus, one message was clear: the path to the SIAC title runs through Albany.

Up Next, the Golden Rams return home, awaiting the announcement of opponent as they gear up to host the 2025 SIAC Championship on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM. The championship game will be featured on ESPN+.

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ABOUT ALBANY STATE ATHLETICS
Albany State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II-level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 11 sports: women's volleyball, women's tennis, women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, softball, men's and women's track and field, women's soccer, baseball, and football with all teams compete in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), except women's soccer, which participates in the Peach Belt Conference.