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Savannah State Tigers football
First season1902
Athletic directorOpio Mashariki
Head coachAaron Kelton
2nd season, 7–13 (.350)
StadiumTed Wright Stadium
(capacity: 13,500)
Year built1967
Field surfaceFieldTurf
LocationSavannah, Georgia
NCAA divisionDivision II
ConferenceSouthern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)
All-time record491–567–18 (.465)
Conference titles12 (since 1940)
Consensus All-Americans10
ColorsBurnt orange and reflex blue[1]
   
Marching bandSavannah State Marching Tiger Band
Websitessuathletics.com

The Savannah State Tigers football team represents Savannah State University in college football. The Tigers are members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).[2] The football team is traditionally the most popular sport at Savannah State and home games are played at Ted A. Wright Stadium in Savannah, Georgia.

After moving to the NCAA Division I FCS in 2000, the Tigers compiled a record of 80–137.[3] While in the FCS, the team competed in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. In 2019, the Tigers moved back to NCAA Division II and rejoined the SIAC. Savannah State has played football since 1902, though they did not field a team in 1943 to 1945. Through the 2018 season, the Tigers have compiled an all-time record of 491–567–18 (.465).[3]

The program's largest margin of victory was 87 points in an 87–0 victory over Miles College in 1992. The largest margin of defeat was 98 points against Bethune-Cookman College in 1953 (Bethune-Cookman 98, Savannah State 0).[4] Prior to a game against the Florida State Seminoles in 2012, the Seminoles were installed as 70.5 point favorites, reportedly making Savannah State the biggest underdogs in any college football game ever.[5]

The team regularly participates in one or more black football classics each season, including the CSRA Football Classic and the Joe Turner Classic. The team has previously participated in the Gateway Classic, the Miami Classic, the Palmetto Capital City Classic, and the Circle City Classic.

Conference affiliations

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Conference Joined Left
Independent 1915 1928
Southeastern Athletic Conference 1929 1961
Independent 1962 1968
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) 1969 1999
NCAA Division I-AA/FCS independent 2000 2009
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) 2010 2018
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) 2019

No team: 1916–1922, 1924, 1943–1945

On September 8, 2010, Savannah State University was confirmed as a full member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), making the Tigers eligible to participate in all conference championships and earn the conference's automatic berth to NCAA postseason competition in all sponsored sports.[6]

Conference championships and NCAA playoff appearances

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The Tigers were Southeastern Athletic Conference champions in 1938, 1948, 1950, and 1956.[7][8] The team's only playoff appearance occurred in 1992 The Tigers, led by head coach Bill Davis, were defeated by Jacksonville State in the first round of the NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs, 41–16.

Season-by-season records

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  NCAA I-AA MEAC   NCAA I-AA Independent   SIAC (NCAA Division II)   NCAA Division III   NAIA Southeastern

Retired numbers

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See also: List of NCAA football retired numbers

The Tigers has retired only one number.[35]

No. Player Position Tenure
2 Shannon Sharpe FL/TE 1986–1989

Notable players and coaches

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Some notable Savannah State football players and coaches include:

Name Class year Position Notability Reference(s)
Steven Aycock 1993 Offensive lineman Head football coach at Johnson C. Smith University [36]
Eric Brown 1989 Cornerback/Safety former NFL player with the Dallas Cowboys [37]
Chadrick Cone 2006 Running Back Signed by the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League in 2006 and the Columbus Lions of the American Indoor Football Association in 2009 [38][39]
Bobby Curtis 1987 Linebacker former NFL player with the Washington Redskins and New York Jets [38]
Ken Dawson 1981 Running Back 10th round pick by the Seattle Seahawks; #252 overall pick [40][41][42]
Roy Ellison 1987 Guard/Center NFL official and umpire during Super Bowl XLIII [43]
Aaron Fields 2000 Defensive End former NFL player with the Dallas Cowboys [40]
Troy Hambrick 2000 Running Back former NFL player who averaged 4.1 yards per carry in his 5 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys (2000–2003) and the Arizona Cardinals (2004). [40][38]
Britt Henderson 1996 Defensive Back 1996 First Team All American [13]
Patrick Jackson unknown former United Indoor Football player who played with the Rock River Raptors [38]
Jonathan Johnson unknown former United Indoor Football player who played with the Rock River Raptors [38]
Lemuel Ligdon unknown former NFL Europe player who played with the Rhein Fire [38]
Wesley McGriff 1990 Outside Linebacker current defensive backs coach and defensive recruiting coordinator for the Vanderbilt Commodores. Former defensive backs coach for the Miami Hurricanes and former interim coach and defensive coordinator at Savannah State University. [44][45]
Ernest "The Cat" Miller Linebacker All-American linebacker and former professional wrestler [46]
Andrew Mitchell unknown former Arena Football League player who played with the Arizona Rattlers [38]
Tahj Mowry Running Back former child actor from the sitcom "Smart Guy", played football at SSU for 1 season
Wes Phillips 1979 Offensive Tackle former NFL player with the Houston Oilers [40]
Shannon Sharpe 1986–89 Wide Receiver / Tight End 1989 First team All American, former NFL player with the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, three-time Super Bowl champion, and former NFL's all-time leader in receptions (815) by a tight end (record now held by Tony Gonzalez). He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. [13][40][47]
Tim Walker 1980 Linebacker 1979 First Team All American and former NFL player with the Seattle Seahawks [13][40]
Steve Wilks 1999 Defensive coordinator former defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers [15]

References

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  1. ^ "Savannah State University Athletics – 2016 Football Quick Facts". Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  2. ^ Barnidge, Noell (March 11, 2010). "Savannah State joins Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference". SavannahNow.com. Savannah Morning News and Evening Press. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Savannah State Yearly Totals". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  4. ^ "GWU Rolls Past Savannah State, 66-0, Saturday Afternoon". Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2007.
  5. ^ Brooks, Matt. Savannah State is biggest underdog in college football history against Florida State. WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  6. ^ "N.C. Central and Savannah State Become Full Members". MEACSports.com. Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  7. ^ a b c d "Conference Championships: Southeastern Athletic Conference". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2007.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Savannah State Composite Championship Listing". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  9. ^ a b "SSU names Robby Wells head football coach". December 22, 2007. Retrieved December 26, 2007.
  10. ^ "SSU fires Lemon". November 30, 2007. Retrieved November 30, 2007.
  11. ^ "infractions".
  12. ^ "Savannah State placed on three years' probation". May 19, 2006. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Records Book" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 30, 2007. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Delaware State University visits Savannah State". Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  15. ^ a b "1999 NCAA Football Schedules and 1998 Results" (PDF). NCAA. p. 557. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 8, 2007. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  16. ^ a b "McNeill Resigns Savannah State Football Post". Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  17. ^ "Savannah State Receives Probation, Financial Aid cuts".[permanent dead link]
  18. ^ a b "Avery contacts team via voice mail". Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  19. ^ a b "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved April 10, 2008.
  20. ^ a b "Ex-SSU coach watches son play for MVSU". Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  21. ^ "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  22. ^ a b c d e "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  23. ^ a b c d e "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  24. ^ a b c d e "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  25. ^ a b c d e "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  26. ^ a b c d e "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  27. ^ a b c d e "Savannah State Yearly Results". Retrieved March 6, 2008. [dead link]
  28. ^ a b c d e "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g "Savannah State Yearly Results". Retrieved March 6, 2008. [dead link]
  30. ^ a b c d e "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  31. ^ a b c d e "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  32. ^ a b c d e "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  33. ^ "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  34. ^ "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
  35. ^ "SSU Retires Shannon Sharpe's Jersey". ssuathletics.com. October 19, 2009. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  36. ^ "Sand Gnats make radio deal". SavannahNow.com. Savannah Morning News and Evening Press. January 28, 2009. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  37. ^ "All-time Players Page: Troy Hambrick". NFL.com. Retrieved October 9, 2007.
  38. ^ a b c d e f g "Former Tigers sign football contracts". November 13, 2007. Retrieved November 16, 2007.
  39. ^ "Ex-SSU RB Cone signs with indoor team". November 11, 2008. Archived from the original on November 13, 2008. Retrieved November 11, 2008.
  40. ^ a b c d e f "NFL Players who attended Savannah State University". Archived from the original on March 7, 2008. Retrieved October 9, 2007.
  41. ^ "1981 Seattle Seashawks". Archived from the original on April 10, 2007. Retrieved October 9, 2007.
  42. ^ "Seattle Seahawks draft history". NFL.com. Retrieved October 9, 2007.
  43. ^ "Savannah State Alumnus Officiates Super Bowl XLIII" (PDF). The Savannah Tribune. The Savannah Tribune, Inc. February 11, 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2009.
  44. ^ "Sports with Walter Moore". The Savannah Tribune. The Savannah Tribune, Inc. February 16, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2011.
  45. ^ "Player Bio:Wesley McGriff". Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved November 22, 2007.
  46. ^ "The early days of WCW star Ernest Miller". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 1, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  47. ^ "NFL.com Writers: Shannon Sharpe". NFL.com. 2007. Archived from the original on March 28, 2007. Retrieved April 4, 2007.
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