money 'We wanted this win': SSU Tigers rally for season-capping victory to finish with 5-5 record
Savannah State celebrated Senior Night on Saturday against Lane College but the weather wasn’t cooperating.
Rain fell on the Tiger seniors and their loved ones as they were introduced at Theodore A. Wright Stadium.
But it wasn’t long before a rainbow appeared in the sky.
Senior defensive end Makenly Newbill came up with a key fumble recovery in the fourth quarter to set up SSU’s tying score and the Tigers went on to win the season finale, 44-38.
“I’ve enjoyed my journey at Savannah State, but I still have another year left,” said Newbill, who will weigh coming back as a graduate student and playing another year.
The NCAA granted players an extra year of eligibility because concerns of COVID-19 in 2020 cut down many players’ seasons.
Having Newbill back would be a boon to an improving defense. He was named first-team All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 2021 and garnered the same honor in the preseason this season.
The 6-foot-2, 240-pounder led the Tigers this season with 10.5 tackles for losses and five sacks. He was second in tackles with 57.
“I’ll have to think about it, ask God what I should do. We’ll see what happens,” Newbill said.
Richmond Hill grad has pair of pick-sixes
Sophomore Jordan Clark, who starred at Richmond Hill, had two interception returns for touchdowns. His second of the game, a 20-yard return, provided the winning points with 11:45 left.
Clark jumped a screen route because he had seen the play on film while studying the Dragons’ tendencies.
“We watched a lot of film and that’s all we saw this week – screens,” Clark said. “Immediately, when I saw (the receiver) shoot down, I followed him and I got the pick.”
Clark had a 21-yard interception return in the first quarter.
SSU plays lockdown defense in fourth quarter
Lane rolled up 455 yards and 38 points (already a season-high against the Tigers) through the first three quarters, but managed only 35 yards and one first down while getting shut out in the fourth quarter.
“We could have given up 700 yards, we wanted this win," SSU coach Aaron Kelton said. "Forget about the defense giving up (490 yards and 38 points). We got 44 points. (The offense and defense) work at this together.”
Tigers finish season with back-to-back wins
SSU ended the season with a 5-5 record, 4-4 in SIAC play. The Tigers finished on a high note, topping Fort Valley State and Lane – teams that entered with winning records in conference play – in their last two games to get to .500.
Wide receiver turns in career game
Wide receiver Da’Shun Mitchell had a big night with a career-high nine catches for 117 yards and two scores. Mitchell caught the game-tying TD pass to cash in Newbill’s fumble recovery.
Mitchell finished the season as SSU’s leader in catches (45) and receiving yardage (573) to go along with four TDs.
He said it ...
“We’ll have a great offseason. We’ll have a fun spring and summer (preseason workouts) will be here in no time.” - Tigers coach Aaron Kelton said.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah State Tigers football win season finale against Lane College
