action
18
Winner Central St. (OH) CSU 2-4 , 2-3
14
Fort Valley St. FVS 1-4 , 1-2
Winner
Central St. (OH) CSU
2-4 , 2-3
18
Final
14
Fort Valley St. FVS
1-4 , 1-2
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
CSU Central St. (OH) 6 6 6 0 18
FVS Fort Valley St. 14 0 0 0 14

Game Recap: Football |

Marauders Spoil Fort Valley State Homecoming Behind Opportunistic Defense

Fort Valley, GA – October 4th, 2025

The Central State Marauders spoiled Fort Valley State's Homecoming on Saturday afternoon with an 18–14 victory at Wildcat Stadium in Fort Valley, Georgia. The win improved CSU to 2-4 overall and 2-3 in SIAC play, as the Marauder defense once again proved to be the difference-maker by forcing four interceptions and scoring twice.

The game opened with fireworks in the first quarter, as Fort Valley quarterback Jai'que Hart connected with Paul Burkly for a 13-yard touchdown to give the Wildcats an early lead. Central State responded with a six-play drive capped by a one-yard touchdown run from Jaden Bossie to cut the margin to 7–6. Fort Valley quickly answered, however, when J.T. Pendleton hauled in a 70-yard touchdown strike to push the Wildcats ahead 14–6 with just 11 seconds left in the opening quarter. Those points would prove to be Fort Valley's last of the afternoon.

Central State's defense swung the momentum in the second quarter when senior linebacker Domonique Davis II intercepted a pass at the goal line and returned it for a touchdown, bringing the Marauders within 14–12 at halftime. The biggest play of the game came in the third quarter, when Travion Searcy blocked a Fort Valley field goal attempt and raced 78 yards for a score to give Central State its first lead of the day at 18–14. From that point forward, the Marauder defense controlled the game, holding the Wildcats scoreless over the final three quarters.

Davis II anchored the defense with nine tackles, two interceptions, and a tackle-for-loss. Searcy added an interception and the special teams touchdown, while Anthony Williams also picked off a pass. Up front, Mathias Davis, Kenneth Jones, Williams, and Mason Wellborn each recorded sacks as CSU's pass rush kept constant pressure on the Wildcat quarterbacks.

On offense, quarterback Qeanu Campbell-Caldwell efficiently managed the game, completing 14-of-21 passes for 163 yards, including a 57-yard connection with Dai'Vontay Young. Bossie finished with 22 rushing yards and the Marauders' lone offensive touchdown, while Darian Fletcher led the team with five receptions.

Despite being outgained in total yards and first downs, Central State's opportunistic defense and special teams swung the game, giving the Marauders their second SIAC win of the season in front of a Homecoming crowd of 8,000 at Fort Valley. The victory marks back-to-back weeks with multiple defensive touchdowns for CSU, further solidifying the Marauders' reputation as one of the most disruptive defenses in the conference.

Game Notes

  • Central State scored two non-offensive touchdowns (interception return and blocked field goal return).

  • Domonique Davis II recorded two interceptions and returned one for a score, his second straight week with a defensive touchdown.

  • The Marauders have forced nine turnovers in their last two games.

  • CSU's defense held Fort Valley State scoreless over the final three quarters.

  • Travion Searcy's 78-yard blocked field goal return was CSU's second special teams touchdown of the season.

Print Friendly Version