LAKELAND, Fla.- After an impressive season opener versus North American University the Southeastern University football team will head to Savannah for their first road matchup of the season.
The Savannah State University Tigers will open their season when the Fire come into town. Last season, the Tigers went 8-2 overall with 5-1 record within the SIAC conference. Six of SSU's eight wins came at home, with the team finishing the 2021 season at Ted. A Wright Stadium 6-0. Their eight-win season was the most in school history since 1994.
Despite a three-man battle at quarterback, the Tigers will see the return of Sophomore Jamurian Hartage. Last season, Hartage was the leading passer by throwing for 497 yards, tossing six touchdowns and completing 60 percent of his passes. Sophomore Sharmcus Poole will man the backfield once again after gaining 5.9 yards per carry and accumulating three touchdowns.
The Fire started the season 1-0 after their 54-13 season opener against North American University. Grad transfer
Kaylan Wiggins impressed in his debut for the Fire by gathering 300 yards of offense and scoring two touchdowns.
Josiah Neos capped off the Fires offensive power with two rushing touchdowns.
As good as the offense was, the defense didn't miss a beat. Southeastern had two defensive scores with a fumble return by
Eddie Davis and a pick-six from
Khalid Scott. The Fire were also present in the backfield with eight tackles for loss and three sacks against the Stallions and recorded a safety.
This weekend's matchup will mark the first time these two teams have faced each other. Prior to this matchup, the Fire saw two games where they went head-to-head with SIAC opponents. In 2015 they defeated Benedict College 35-20 and dropped their second SIAC matchup to Albany State University in 2016 by the score of 24-2.
The matchup between the Fire and the Tigers will take place on Saturday, September 3
rd, at 6:00 pm in Savannah, Ga. at Ted A. Wright Stadium.
