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Savannah State University college football team
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
   
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). 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. 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).

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). 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.

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※

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.

Conference championships and NCAA playoff appearances※

The Tigers were Southeastern Athletic Conference champions in 1938, 1948, 1950, and 1956. 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※

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

Season Wins Losses Ties Conference record Head coach Notes References
2019 7 3 0 Shawn Quinn
2013 4 8 0 3-5 Steve Davenport, Corey Barlow (Interim)
2012 2 9 0 1-7 Steve Davenport
2011 1 10 0 1-7 Steve Davenport
2010 1 10 0 Julius Dixon (interim)
2009 2 8 0 Robert Wells
2008 5 7 0 Robert Wells
2007 1 9 0 Theo Lemon
2006 2 9 0 Theo Lemon Savannah State University football program was placed on probation for three years by the NCAA in 2006. Prior to moving to Division I - FCS the team compiled a 97-108-4 record in NCAA Division II (1981–2000), a 15-20-0 record in NCAA Division III (1973–1980) and a 1-1-0 record as a member of the NAIA.
2005 0 11 0 Richard Basil
2004 2 8 0 Richard Basil
2003 0 12 0 Kenneth Pettiford
Richard Basil
2002 1 9 0 Kenneth Pettiford
2001 2 7 0 Bill Davis
2000 2 8 0 Bill Davis
1999 5 6 0 3-4 Steven Wilks
1998 7 4 0 7-2 Daryl McNeill Savannah State placed on four years probation and scholarships reduced in six sports
1997 3 8 0 2-6 Daryl McNeill
1996 6 5 0 5-4 Wendell Avery
1995 8 3 0 4-4 Wendell Avery
1994 8 3 0 5-3 Joseph Crosby
1993 7 3 0 6-2-0 Joseph Crosby
1992 10 2 0 6-2 Bill Davis Lost in first round of NCAA Division II playoffs
1991 8 3 0 4-3 Bill Davis
1990 7 4 0 5-2 Bill Davis
1989 10 1 0 Bill Davis
1988 8 3 0 6-1 Bill Davis
1987 5 6 0 4-3 Bill Davis
1986 7 4 0 5-3 Bill Davis
1985 5 6 0 3-4 Frank Ellis
1984 4 7 1 2-5-0 Frank Ellis
1983 4 7 0 Frank Ellis
1982 4 6 0 2-4 Frank Ellis
1981 5 5 0 2-3 Frank Ellis
1980 5 5 0 Frank Ellis
1979 7 3 0 4-1-0 Frank Ellis
1978 4 6 0 4-3 Frank Ellis
1977 7 3 0 4-2 Frank Ellis
1976 1 9 0 0-6 John H. Myles
1975 3 7 0 2-3 John H. Myles
1974 6 4 0 3-2 John H. Myles
1973 4 6 0 2-4 John H. Myles
1972 7 3 0 4-1 John H. Myles
1971 6 4 0 4-1 John H. Myles
1970 5 5 0 4-1 John H. Myles
1969 5 5 0 3-2 John H. Myles
1968 5 5 0 Leo Richardson
1967 8 2 0 Leo Richardson
1966 5 5 0 Leo Richardson
1965 4 6 0 Leo Richardson
1964 4 6 0 Leo Richardson
1963 1 9 0 Leo Richardson
1962 5 5 0 2-3 Richard K. Washington
1961 6 4 0 3-2-0 Richard K. Washington
1960 5 5 0 3-2 Richard K. Washington
1959 7 3 0 4-1-0 Richard K. Washington
1958 9 1 0 5-0 Richard K. Washington
1957 7 3 0 3-2-0 Richard K. Washington
1956 8 2 0 4-1 Ross F. Pearly Southeastern Athletic Conference Co-Champions
1955 6 4 0 3-2-0 Ross F. Pearly
1954 3 7 0 1-5 Ross F. Pearly
1953 5 5 0 2-3 Albert Frazier
1952 2 8 0 1-4 John H. Martin
1951 6 4 0 3-2-0 John H. Martin
1950 5 3 0 4-0-0 John H. Martin Southeastern Athletic Conference Champions
1949 3 5 0 3-1 Theodore A. "Ted" Wright
1948 5 3 0 4-1 Theodore A. "Ted" Wright Southeastern Athletic Conference Champions
1947 2 5 0 2-3-0 Theodore A. "Ted" Wright
1946 6 1 0 6-1-0 John W. Myles
1942 5 2 0 John W. Myles
1941 4 3 0 W. McKinley King
1940 4 3 0 W. McKinley King
1939 6 0 0 Arthur Dwight
1938 5 1 0 Arthur Dwight Southeastern Athletic Conference Champions
1937 3 2 1 Arthur Dwight
1936 3 3 0 Arthur Dwight
1935 3 3 0 Arthur Dwight
1934 2 4 0 Richard Richardson
1933 5 1 0 Richard Richardson
1932 4 2 0 Richard Richardson
1931 3 3 0 Richard Richardson
1930 3 2 1 Richard Richardson
1929 4 2 0 Richard Richardson
1928 3 3 0 W.P. Tucker
1927 3 3 0 W.P. Tucker
1926 2 4 0 W.P. Tucker
1925 6 0 0 W.P. Tucker
1923 6 0 0 W.P. Tucker
1915 3 3 0 W.P. Tucker
Totals 11 74 0 NCAA Division I-AA Independent results
NCAA Division II results
NCAA Division III results
44 72 11 NAIA results
253 381 28 Regular season results
0 1 0 Playoff results
253 383 28 All games including playoffs

Retired numbers※

See also: List of NCAA football retired numbers

The Tigers has retired only one number.

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

Notable players and coaches※

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
Eric Brown 1989 Cornerback/Safety former NFL player with the Dallas Cowboys
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
Bobby Curtis 1987 Linebacker former NFL player with the Washington Redskins and New York Jets
Ken Dawson 1981 Running Back 10th round pick by the Seattle Seahawks; #252 overall pick
Roy Ellison 1987 Guard/Center NFL official and umpire during Super Bowl XLIII
Aaron Fields 2000 Defensive End former NFL player with the Dallas Cowboys
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).
Britt Henderson 1996 Defensive Back 1996 First Team All American
Patrick Jackson unknown former United Indoor Football player who played with the Rock River Raptors
Jonathan Johnson unknown former United Indoor Football player who played with the Rock River Raptors
Lemuel Ligdon unknown former NFL Europe player who played with the Rhein Fire
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.
Ernest "The Cat" Miller Linebacker All-American linebacker and former professional wrestler
Andrew Mitchell unknown former Arena Football League player who played with the Arizona Rattlers
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
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.
Tim Walker 1980 Linebacker 1979 First Team All American and former NFL player with the Seattle Seahawks
Steve Wilks 1999 Defensive coordinator former defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers

References※

  1. ^ "Savannah State University Athletics – 2016 Football Quick Facts". Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  2. ^ Barnidge, Noell (2010-03-11). "Savannah State joins Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference". SavannahNow.com. Savannah Morning News and Evening Press. Retrieved 2010-03-11.
  3. ^ "Savannah State Yearly Totals". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  4. ^ "GWU Rolls Past Savannah State, 66-0, Saturday Afternoon". Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2007-11-06.
  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 9 September 2011.
  7. ^ "Conference Championships: Southeastern Athletic Conference". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2007.
  8. ^ "Savannah State Composite Championship Listing". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  9. ^ "SSU names Robby Wells head football coach". 2007-12-22. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  10. ^ "SSU fires Lemon". 2007-11-30. Retrieved 2007-11-30.
  11. ^ "infractions".
  12. ^ "Savannah State placed on three years' probation". 19 May 2006. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  13. ^ "Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Records Book" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  14. ^ "Delaware State University visits Savannah State". Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  15. ^ "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. ^ "McNeill Resigns Savannah State Football Post". Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  17. ^ "Savannah State Receives Probation, Financial Aid cuts".
  18. ^ "Avery contacts team via voice mail". Retrieved 2009-03-11.
  19. ^ "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
  20. ^ "Ex-SSU coach watches son play for MVSU". Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  21. ^ "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  22. ^ "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  23. ^ "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
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  25. ^ "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
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  30. ^ "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
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  34. ^ "Savannah State Yearly Results". Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  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. 2009-01-28. Archived from the original on 2012-07-14. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
  37. ^ "All-time Players Page: Troy Hambrick". NFL.com. Retrieved 2007-10-09.
  38. ^ "Former Tigers sign football contracts". 2007-11-13. Retrieved 2007-11-16.
  39. ^ "Ex-SSU RB Cone signs with indoor team". 2008-11-11. Archived from the original on 2008-11-13. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  40. ^ "NFL Players who attended Savannah State University". Archived from the original on 2008-03-07. Retrieved 2007-10-09.
  41. ^ "1981 Seattle Seashawks". Archived from the original on 2007-04-10. Retrieved 2007-10-09.
  42. ^ "Seattle Seahawks draft history". NFL.com. Retrieved 2007-10-09.
  43. ^ "Savannah State Alumnus Officiates Super Bowl XLIII" (PDF). The Savannah Tribune. The Savannah Tribune, Inc. 2009-02-11. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  44. ^ "Sports with Walter Moore". The Savannah Tribune. The Savannah Tribune, Inc. 2011-02-16. Retrieved 2011-02-16.
  45. ^ "Player Bio:Wesley McGriff". Archived from the original on 2007-11-11. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
  46. ^ "The early days of WCW star Ernest Miller". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 1, 2013. Retrieved 2007-11-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  47. ^ "NFL.com Writers: Shannon Sharpe". NFL.com. 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-03-28. Retrieved 2007-04-04.

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