Football 11/4/2026 12:40:00 PM Chris Myers

ASU Ready for 36th Fountain City Classic Clash

ALBANY, Ga. – The week of all football season week is here! The Blue & Gold rivalry battle is upon us! Albany State makes its annual trek north to Columbus, Ga., and its rivalry with Fort Valley State in the 36^th Annual Fountain City Classic.
     ASU faces its most familiar gridiron foe in a high-potent offensive Fort Valley State program with both teams seeking to put a winning stamp on the 2026 season finale. The Golden Rams and Wildcats kick off the action at 2 p.m. from Columbus' A.J. McClung Stadium. It can be seen on ESPN+ and heard on the ASU Radio Network on WZBN 105.5 FM.

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Fort Valley State vs. Albany State
36th Annual Fountain City Classic
Game Information
Saturday, Nov. 7
2 p.m. - Columbus, Ga. - A.J. McClung Stadium

Tickets
Live Stats
ESPN+
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SIAC Season Week #10
Fort Valley State (2-6/1-5 SIAC) vs. ASU (4-5/4-3 SIAC)
     It will be the biggest SIAC crowd of the season again in the A.J. McClung Stadium confines in the annual festive matchup.
     The two rivals come off late-game comeback efforts with the Golden Rams coming out with the win, while the Wildcats coming up short in their contest.
     The Golden Rams drove 75 yards in just over two minutes and claimed their fourth victory of the year in a late-momentum game over the Panthers of Clark Atlanta, 21-17. It was a comeback win after a tough outing against nationally-ranked Benedict College (29-8) the prior weekend. The ASU win ended a two-game skid as it fell two weeks ago at Tuskegee University (17-14) in the final moments.
     The Wildcats used an almost 600-yard total offense output, but it wasn't enough last Thursday night in a 35-28 defeat at the hands of the Golden Bears of Miles College. Fort Valley State heads into the weekend on a two-game losing streak after it dropped its Homecoming contest, 16-6, to Lane College the prior week. FVSU's record coul;d have three more wins if it reversed the Lane College and then the two single-point losses earlier in the year at Tuskegee (24-23) and against Benedict (34-33 OT).

    Matchup Common Opponents
     ASU and FVSU have played four common opponents to this point in the 2026 campaign. The teams are a combined 3-5 in those games.
     Albany State split its four games against the common opponents with wins over Savannah State (49-17) and Lane (51-0), while losses to Tuskegee (17-14) and Benedict (29-8).
     Fort Valley State registered a win only against Savannah State (22-9) with losses to each of Lane (16-6), Tuskegee (24-23) and Benedict (34-33 OT).

92nd Meeting between Rams & Wildcats
     For the 36^th year in a row in Columbus, one of the longest rivalries across the south of the NCAA DII football-playing schools will have the Golden Rams and Wildcats meet for the 92^nd time.
     The long-running ASU vs. FVSU series has seen each have its long run of success to the point to where the all-time difference is down to three games over the first 91 contests – the Wildcats hold the now slim lead of 45-42-4.
    FVSU dominated the first 26 games of the series dating back to the inaugural meeting in 1924. From that 1924 game through 1959, the Wildcats held a big advantage of 23-2-1.
    But, over the last 25 matchups, the Golden Rams have been the clear victor. Since the 1985 contest, ASU has won 31 of the last 40 games. In fact, the Rams are 20-5 since 2000 and have not lost more than one game at a time over that time period.
     Albany State heads into Saturday winners of the last three Fountain City Classic games and seven of the last eight. ASU ran away with a 48-3 final last Nov. 8 after the three previous meetings were each decided by 10 points or less – ASU won by scores of 20-15 in 2024 and 13-7 in 2023.
     Behind current Seattle Seahawks' running back Emanuel Wilson, Fort Valley State registered its last FCC win by a 31-21 final in 2022.

Last Meeting – ASU 48, FVSU 3 (Nov. 8, 2026)

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.

ASU Last Game: Loyd Late Catches and Opportunistic Rams Overtake Panthers

     ATLANTA, Ga. – Sometimes you need a special day from an unlikely source and Saturday on the Panther Stadium red turf was one of those. Cameran Loyd made his presence felt with three acrobatic catches including a one-handed game-winning touchdown catch along with opportunistic Albany State special teams and a trio of interceptions in a 21-17 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football victory over Clark Atlanta.

After the home Panthers retook the lead first the first time since midway through the second quarter, Loyd and the Golden Rams would not be denied on this day. The sophomore wide out from Atlanta tip-toed the right sideline for 24 yards on the third play of the ensuing drive and equaled the yardage three plays later on a diving catch at the home 9-yard line. Following a rush, Loyd used only his right arm to pull in Jeffery Davis' 12-yard pass in the left corner of the end zone with 26.8 seconds showing on the clock.

CAU returned the ensuing kick-off 35 yards to the ASU 47-yard line. After an incompletion, the Panthers deep pass over the middle was snatched out of the air by Golden Ram defender Jayshaun Wanton to seal the victory.

"I am really proud of our team in all three phases of the game," said ASU Head Coach David Bowser with a smile after the battle. "Special teams got this thing started again and that was awesome. Defense came out and did some things with forcing turnovers and then the offense was able to drive the ball down at the end of the game and close it out."

With the win, ASU (4-5/3-3 SIAC) increased its mastery over CAU (2-6/2-4 SIAC) with the sixth win in a row of the series and third-straight in Atlanta. The Golden Rams also snapped its two-game losing streak.

Clark Atlanta came out fast with a 75-yard scoring drive on its opening possession and a 42-yard field goal on the next drive for a 10-0 only 6:34 into the day.

Following a Jonathan Rodriguez 53-yard punt pinning CAU at its own 15-yard line, the ASU defense held there before Keymon Jefferson broke through the line, blocked the home punt and recovered it in the end zone for his team's first points at 3:30 in the first quarter.

Cameron Watts did his part to turn back Clark Atlanta again starting the second frame when he picked off the pass in his own end zone and returned it 70 yards to the home 30-yard line. Only four plays later, Loyd pulled in his first collegiate touchdown and gave the Golden Rams their first lead, 14-10, when he dove and rolled to keep the ball off the ground in the right front corner of the end zone at 7:24 in the second quarter.

With only three catches for 11 yards coming in over the first seven games, Loyd tripled the receptions and had 97 more yards than his season total heading into the day. The second-year Ram receiver had 9 grabs for 108 yards with 60 coming on the game-winning drive, and two touchdowns. He also ran a jet sweep for four yards.

"Cam Loyd has been an outstanding player all year, but he has been dealing with some nagging injuries," explained Bowser. "Cam and JD (Jeffery Davis) have a great relationship and confidence with each other and showed it today when making those big plays. He has great feet and great height. They (the opponents) look at his size and underestimate the type of player he is."

After leaving in the first offensive series due to a hard hit a week ago, Davis came back and was strong with 178 yards on 16 of 21 passes with the two scoring strikes to Loyd after seeing his first throw of the day picked off. He also ran for 23 yards on 10 carries.

Roderick McCrary led the ground game with 33 yards on nine carries and caught a 27-yard pass. Zhay'Lyn Bell covered 22 yards on six scrambles. Exavior Sherrod and Cardrece Mobley each had a reception for 16 and 12 yards.

Defensively, Elijah Watson had a season-high 8 tackles. Jimmy Dawson and Chancie Brown both had six stops and one for a loss with Brown in on one sack. Rontavion Scott, Avery Hall and Derrick Drayton each added six tackles. Caleb Anderson had part of a sack to go with three tackles.

Along with his 70-yard interception return, Watts had three tackles and a key 29-yard punt return, which set up a drive ASU attempted a field goal and two kick returns for 37 yards. Wanton and also Evan Wynn, who stopped the first CAU drive of the second half, also picked off passes.

Punter Rodriguez averaged 44.2 yards per punt on four boots with two inside the 20 and a 53-yard long.

Despite an even time of possession, the Panthers outgained the Rams, 322 to 251, but the home team did have 23 more offensive snaps. ASU did win the turnover battled, 3-1, along with the blocked punt.

FVSU Last Game: Wildcats Rally in Fourth Quarter but Fall to Miles College, 35-28
(courtesy of Fort Valley State Athletic Comms)

FAIRFIELD, Ala. — The Fort Valley State University football team mounted a furious fourth-quarter comeback, erasing a 14-point deficit to tie the game before Miles College scored late to secure a 35-28 victory over the Wildcats in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) action Thursday night at Albert J. Sloan-Alumni Stadium.

Fort Valley State (FVSU) showcased its offensive firepower throughout the contest, finishing with 573 total yards, including 337 through the air and 236 on the ground. Quarterback Don Hudson delivered a standout performance, completing 25 of 42 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns while adding 166 rushing yards and another score on the ground.

The Wildcats' offensive production kept them within striking distance throughout the contest and set the stage for a dramatic fourth-quarter rally.

Wildcats Establish Early Momentum
Fort Valley State struck first in the opening quarter when Hudson connected with Donte Curry for a 29-yard touchdown pass with 4:18 remaining. Kyle Keese converted the extra point to give the Wildcats a 7-0 advantage.
Miles College answered with a kickoff-return touchdown to even the score, but the Wildcats regained the lead in the second quarter. Hudson and Curry connected again, this time on a 16-yard touchdown pass with 9:29 remaining in the first half, putting FVSU ahead 14-7.

Curry's second touchdown reception of the evening highlighted the connection between Hudson and the junior wide receiver. Miles responded with a rushing touchdown before adding another score to take a 21-14 lead into halftime.

Neither team found the end zone in the third quarter, setting the stage for a decisive final period.

Fourth-Quarter Rally Ignites Wildcats
Miles extended its lead to 28-14 early in the fourth quarter, but Fort Valley State refused to back down.

With 8:48 remaining, Hudson delivered a deep strike to Solomon Burney for a 78-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 28-21. Burney finished with six receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown, providing a major spark to the Wildcats' passing attack.

The comeback continued with 3:43 remaining when Hudson broke free for a spectacular 77-yard rushing touchdown. Keese added the extra point, tying the contest at 28-28 and capping a remarkable rally that saw the Wildcats erase a two-touchdown deficit.

However, Miles responded with a 12-yard touchdown pass with 2:20 remaining in the fourth quarter to regain the lead at 35-28. Fort Valley State was unable to find another score before the final whistle, bringing the Wildcats' comeback effort to a close.

Hudson, Burney and Curry Lead Offensive Attack
Hudson's performance was the centerpiece of a productive offensive night for Fort Valley State. His 337 passing yards and three touchdown passes were complemented by a team-high 166 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.

Burney led the Wildcats' receiving corps with 140 yards on six receptions and a touchdown, while Curry recorded five catches for 73 yards and two touchdowns. The duo accounted for all three of Hudson's touchdown passes.

On the ground, Rodrick Payne contributed 50 rushing yards on 11 carries, helping the Wildcats finish with 236 rushing yards.
Fort Valley State recorded 24 first downs and converted eight of 16 third-down opportunities, sustaining drives and generating explosive plays on both sides of the two-minute warning.

Defensive Effort Continues
Defensively, the Wildcats recorded 61 total tackles, five tackles for loss and one sack. Belardi Thomas and Austin Landon led the team with seven tackles apiece, while Thomas added two pass breakups. Kion Threalkill contributed a sack and four total tackles.

Despite the outcome, Fort Valley State demonstrated its offensive capabilities and resilience, particularly during a fourth-quarter surge that brought the contest even before Miles delivered the decisive score.

This Week By the Numbers

In the SIAC ranks:
                              FVSU                     ASU
Offense                  8^th (21.0 ppg)          7^th (22.6 ppg)
Defense                  6^th (28.3 ppg)           2^nd (19.9 ppg)

Total Offense          5^th (380.3 ypg)         10t^h (287.8 ypg)
Rushing                  6th (140.4 ypg)        11^th (118.4 ypg)
Passing                  4^th (239.9 ypg)         9^th (169.3 ypg)

Total Defense         5th (359.5 ypg)        1st (292.2 ypg)
Rushing                  7th (157.9 ypg)        1st (100.0 ypg)
Passing                  6th (201.6 ypg)        4th (192.2 ypg)

-GoldenRams-

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Players Mentioned

#6 Isaiah Knowles: QB; 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore

#25 Devonte James: DB; 5' 11"; Freshman

#80 Jamill Williams: WR; 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman

#88 Tyrell Gainey: WR; 6' 2"; Freshman

#20 Tiant Wyche: RB; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#35 Kyle Wright: K; 5' 9"; Senior

#80 Jamarion Davis: TE; 6' 3"; Redshirt Freshman

#24 Roderick McCrary: RB; 5' 9"; Redshirt Freshman

#46 Ian Kelley: PK; 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior

#14 Zhay'Lyn Bell: QB; 6' 5"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#6 Isaiah Knowles
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore
: QB

#25 Devonte James
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: DB

#80 Jamill Williams
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman
: WR

#88 Tyrell Gainey
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: WR

#20 Tiant Wyche
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: RB

#35 Kyle Wright
: 5' 9"; Senior
: K

#80 Jamarion Davis
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Freshman
: TE

#24 Roderick McCrary
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Freshman
: RB

#46 Ian Kelley
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior
: PK

#14 Zhay'Lyn Bell
: 6' 5"; Sophomore
: QB