[Sly Fox]

OK, let's try this again. But this time let's do our best to show the type of class this board has strived for since we started it up. Here is a quick overview of Savannah State:


Savannah State University
Savannah, Georgia

Nickname: Tigers
Conference: Independent
Founded in 1890

Official SSU Football Site

Onnidan ... the primary HBCU Message Board

We are their home opener after they took a couple of lopsided losses on the road to start the season:

9/2 @ Benedict College L (21-7)
9/9 @ Bethune-Cookman L (55-6)

Its hard to look at stats after such brutal defeats, but here are their key players:


#9 Garrett Williams
Sophomore Quarterback
Thru 2 Games: 20-of-48 for 243 Yds with 2 TDs & 3 INTs



#4 Mark Williams
Freshman Receiver
Thru 2 Games: 6 Catches for 88 Yds & 2 TDs



#1 Quinton Beasley
Sophomore Running Back
Thru 2 Games: 25 Carries for 56 Yds, 2.2 YPC



#51 Calvin Leonard
Sophomore Linebacker
Thru 2 Games: 16 Tackles Including 3 For Loss

[TIMSCAR20]

Ok fresh start. I had a paragraph prepared about perspective and history for our youngsters but I digress...This is an opponent that we should prepare for and if we go in with a healthy amount of respect, we should have the expected outcome.

[Stevev]

Hopefully we can use this as a tuneup for the Wake Forest game the following week. I just hope that there are no injuries and that the team works to better themselves for the games agains't Wake Forest and William and Mary in the next few weeks.

[Sly Fox]

Anytime you go on the road there is the potential for disaster. There is no denying that the Tigers are not the toughest team on our schedule. But to assume they aren't dangerous would be not only be an oversight but downright stupid.

That said, I fully expect us to go down to Savannah and win convincingly. If we can throw the ball effectively then that should open up the running lanes for Rashad & Zach.

[LU'sbestmanager]

Hopefully we can use this as a tuneup for the Wake Forest game the following week. I just hope that there are no injuries and that the team works to better themselves for the games agains't Wake Forest and William and Mary in the next few weeks.

Does anyone know how Dickerson is doing? THAT BOY CAN HIT !

[tiger88]

SSU invites all Liberty fans to Savannah to enjoy the game and our city.

After the game, be sure to stroll down to River Street to enjoy the nightlife as well as our delicious seafood.

[givemethemic]

We will know more about Pat tomorrow, but I would look to see alot of Chris Rocco on Saturday night..

[LU'sbestmanager]

is that a good thing???

[givemethemic]

Chirs played the bulk of the 4th quarter at Saftey and did a solid job... Chris is a winner and really knows this defense, it was basically the same D that he had in H.S

[bigsmooth]

thanks sly, and welcome to tiger88. thanks for the heads up on what is up in savannah. we are gonna win the game though

[Sly Fox]

Welcome to the board, Tiger88. Can you give any of our fans who might be coming to the game a heads up about parking, good places to eat while we are visiting Savannah and the like? I wish I could be there but its just not possible.

And while you are here, give us a heads up on how things are going with the team. I've heard there have been some changes down at SSU and it sure looks like you guys are playing a bunch of young kids.

[tiger88]

This game could be interesting.

SSU is hungry for a win and the home opener may inspire them to play better than they have on the road.

Both teams have new coaches and both have an ACC connection with LU's coach having worked at Va and SSU's coach having once worked at Wake.

Being on NCAA probation has not helped SSU and yes the Tigers are playing alot of young players.

SSU is going through some growing pains but at the same time these young players are getting experience and building for the future.

As for game parking, fans can enter through 2 different gates on campus. Go to the school website and look at parking info on the stroller (www.savstate.edu). Game parking is $5 and game tickets are $15.

Since this is then first home game of the season, you may see more vendors around that normal as well as a few tailgaters. most of our tailgating is done during Homecoming weekend.

There are many eating and entertainment places on River Street, which is located in downtown Savannah (about 15 minutes away from campus) so you can pick from seafood, mexican, italian, soul food, etc.

Many tourists like to check out Lady and Sons as well as Mrs Wilkes. Both have excellent food and located in the downtown district.

The city has 2 malls which are on the southside of town.

Just a warning: Since this is a evening game, you may want to bring a can of bug spray for the gnats (just in case).

Weather should be in the mid 80s with a 20 percent chance of rain.


Thanx for the welcome

[Sly Fox]

Now that's the type of info I was looking for. Thanks.

We had heard about the bugs and we appreciate the advice regarding the spray.

While you are at it, can you tell us what type of offense & defense you guys run?

[tiger88]

Multiple offense
4-3 defense

Team strength = Linebackers
Team weakness= offense inability to score
(my opinion)

[Sly Fox]

Our defense has been spectacular through our first three games led by our LB corps. Our offense was less than stellar Saturday in our first I-AA game. So we have a lot to prove despite all of the high scoring predictions you see in our other thread. That said, we have a lot of horse power on the offensive side of the ball led by our transfer from Pitt at running back, Rashad Jennings. Towson was able to stuff on our run and force our passing gane to beat them. I have a feeling that we'll see mor eof the same this weekend if your coaches get the game film from Towson. But I feel we should be able to hang onto the ball better this week. We want to believe last week was an aberration.

[tiger88]

You must admit that both teams enter the contest struggling (somewhat).

LU has not defeated a I-AA team is a long time and SSU has not had a victory in a long time.

Both teams will be out to prove something on Saturday and one streak will be broken and another streak will continue.

Forgot to add that SSU is about 20 minutes from Tybee Island Beach.

John Cougar Mellancamp is in town filming a video this week on River Street and Tybee Island.

The crowd should be decent on Saturday. I think LU has a small alumni base in Savannah.
As a matter of fact, former LU and Pittsburgh Steeler tight end Eric Green is from Savannah.

[Sly Fox]

I'm not sure what type of crowd we'll have there. I know we have plenmty of alumni down in that region. But I'm not sure how organized they are. Its just long enough of a roadie from Lynchburg to be cost prohibitive for many students even with the recent dip in gas prices.

And yes, we both could really use a victory this weekend. I wouldn't say we are struggling right now. But we could certainly have played better this past Saturday. And with a surprisingly solid Wake Forest team coming up on our schedule we could use a confidence-building game against your Tigers. Whether or not it works out that way is another matter.

[givemethemic]

Tybee Island is pretty nice... my parents went there for one of there vacations this summer. Maybe they will go there more often!!!

[bigsmooth]

i would not say we are struggling, we just need to get the offense going after a very sub-par effort last week. thanks tiger88 for the info on savannah...good stuff. what has coach lemon done since arriving about changing the attitude of SSU football within the community and getting the students support? i know you guys have had a rough go at it, but he seems like a coach that can get it done.

[Chris Lang]

tiger88 ...

Any suggestions on good local places to eat down there? I've been told to go to the riverfront, and there are a lot of cool places to hang out there. Any specific suggestions? (I'm a seafood nut ...)

Thanks.

[Sly Fox]

So his suggestions earlier int he thread weren't good enough, Chris?

[Chris Lang]

Never mind. I can't read. I completely missed that post.

[tiger88]

tiger88 ...

Any suggestions on good local places to eat down there? I've been told to go to the riverfront, and there are a lot of cool places to hang out there. Any specific suggestions? (I'm a seafood nut ...)

Thanks.

This may help: http://www.savannahvisit.com/visitors.asp

[Chris Lang]

Very nice tiger, thanks. I'm getting down there Friday late afternoon, so there's plenty of time to enjoy a night in the city.

[auntieann]

Very nice Tiger fan, I really wish I was going, but a long drive from PA. But wait, maybe I will win the powerball Wed. and Charter a flight, Ok I am awake now. Chris hope have a good time, it sounds like this game could mean a lot for Liberty.. Thanks again to the tiger fan..