A victory for the alumni. How SSU Tigers overcame a slow start to win homecoming game.

Savannah State's alumni and fans are notoriously late arriving to their seats for the annual homecoming football game.

On Saturday, the Tigers were tardy as well.

Savannah State’s offense sputtered early, ending its first four possessions against Virginia University-Lynchburg with three punts and an interception. The visitors even took the lead late in the first quarter.

But just as the crowd settled in ahead of halftime and the band performance, SSU went on an offensive blitz, scoring 28 points in a 17-minute span en route to a 28-14 victory.

“They were blitzing us heavily,” Tigers quarterback Jadon Adams said. “Once we settled in, we were able to pick up the blitz and we were able to get going from that point.”

SSU needed a gamebreaker at QB:Tigers found one deep on their depth chart.

SSU football 2022: 5 questions as the Tigers enter first season under coach Aaron Kelton

Savannah State quarterback Jadon Adams throws downfield during the Tigers' 28-14 homecoming win.
Savannah State quarterback Jadon Adams throws downfield during the Tigers' 28-14 homecoming win.

Adams sparked SSU with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Brent Carr to tie the game with 1:04 left in the first half. The Islands High grad ran for a score and had another TD pass in the third quarter.

Backup quarterback JaMaurion “JT” Hartage led a two-play, 74-yard drive, culminating in his 38-yard TD run, to make it 28-7 during the first minute of the fourth quarter.

“We just had a better attitude about what was going on and what we could accomplish and (the players) continued to play hard,” SSU coach Aaron Kelton said.

SSU evened its record at 3-3 with the non-conference victory.

Here's what else you need to know about Savannah State's victory.

Savannah State running back Joseph Hampton attempts to find a running lane during Saturday's game.
Savannah State running back Joseph Hampton attempts to find a running lane during Saturday's game.

Blocked punt was key play

With the game tied at 7 early in the third quarter, junior defensive end Marlon Jackson blocked a punt. Deon Bell scooped up the loose ball and returned it to the VUL 17.

Jackson said he wasn’t supposed to block the punt. His team was setting up a return.

“Coach told me not to rush the punter so (the coaches) were a little mad, but not too mad because I blocked it,” Jackson said. “I had to make a play in some kind of way.”

Four plays after the block, Adams scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak and the Tigers had the lead for good.

Savannah State's Marlon Jackson blocks a punt in the homecoming game. The play changed the game's momentum and sparked the Tigers' 28-14 victory.
Savannah State's Marlon Jackson blocks a punt in the homecoming game. The play changed the game's momentum and sparked the Tigers' 28-14 victory.

Field position sets up the Tigers

SSU was outgained 294-268 in total yards, but only traveled an average of 47 yards for its four touchdowns.

The Tigers started two third-quarter scoring drives at the Dragons’ 17 and 38 yard lines.

Former Islands star gets game ball

Adams finished with 164 offensive yards – 114 passing and 50 rushing – and had a hand in three of the four Tiger touchdowns, throwing for two and running for another.

Savannah State wide receiver Diquan Brown eludes a tackler after catching a pass during the Tigers' 28-14 homecoming win.
Savannah State wide receiver Diquan Brown eludes a tackler after catching a pass during the Tigers' 28-14 homecoming win.

What's next for Tigers

SSU travels to Atlanta to play Clark Atlanta University in a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup next Saturday at 2 p.m.

Savannah State fans take in Saturday's homecoming game against Virginia University-Lynchburg.
Savannah State fans take in Saturday's homecoming game against Virginia University-Lynchburg.

He said it ...

“Special teams showed up, the defense showed up and the offense showed up. The game was won in all three phases. – SSU quarterback Jadon Adams.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah State football wins homecoming against Virginia-Lynchburg