ATLANTA, Ga. - Clark Atlanta is having one of the best seasons in recent memory. With five wins thus far the Panthers have the most wins in a season since 2008 (6-5). That season also marks the most recent winning season and the last time CAU had a four-game winning streak.

 

CLARK ATLANTA GAME DAY INFORMATION
Date/Location:	Oct. 22, 2016 ASU Coliseum | Albany, Ga.
Kickoff Time:	2:00 p.m.
Series History:	45th MEETING Series Tied 11-11-2
Live Video:	N/A
Live Audio:	N/A
Live Stats:	Follow Here

Since 2000, CAU has had just three five-win seasons. Along with the 2016 Panthers and the 2008 season, CAU went 5-5 in 2006.

Last week marked a historic game for the Panthers as Clark Atlanta suited up for the 800th football game in program history. The victory over Benedict gave the Panthers an overall mark of 299-462-39 (.374) in those 800 games.

After hauling in a career-best tying seven receptions for a career-high 152 yards, Trenton Earl was named Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Offensive Player of the Week. The senior wide receiver from Detroit, Mich. scored twice in the first quarter. Earl ended the opening drive with a 30-yard touchdown reception. The next Clark Atlanta possession saw Earl take the short pass on the first snap of the drive and outrun the defense for 66 yards. Earl has scored in five-straight games and registered his first multi-TD game of his career.

The Panthers continue to hold the second-highest scoring offense in the SIAC by averaging 27.4 points per game. CAU sits behind just Tuskegee (28.5) in the category.

Clark Atlanta averages 376 yards per game in total offense to lead the SIAC. Through seven games the Panthers have amassed 2,632 yards (best in SIAC) and have scored 25 touchdowns to lead the conference. The offense is aided by 275.6 yards per game passing that leads the SIAC. Panther quarterbacks have combined to throw 16 touchdowns and have completed 124-of-232 passes for 1,929 yards.

The offense leads the SIAC in overall first downs, as the Panthers have tallied 132 first downs (18.9/G). Clark Atlanta has been able to extend drives by converting a league-high 40.9% (38-for-93) on 3rd Down Conversions. The defense has been just as stellar on 3rd Down by allowing just 32.3% conversion for the opponents.

CAU has been penalized 90 times for 902 yards to be the most penalized team in the SIAC. The Panthers average 128.9 yards lost due to penalty per game.

Johnathon McCrary, a junior transfer from Vanderbilt, leads the SIAC in passing having thrown for 1,626 yards (232.3/G) and is tied for the league high in passing touchdowns (13). His passing efficiency rating of 145.7 is second in the SIAC.

The receiving duo of Earl (4.0 rec/G | 78.0 yards/G) and Dre Martin (3.9 | 80.3 yards/G) are ranked second and third in the SIAC in receptions per game and also yards per game receiving.

Panther special teams lead the SIAC with 25.9 yards per kick return average. Deandre Jackson leads the conference with an average of 30.5 yards per return. Jackson sits second in the conference in all purpose yards per game (117.7) having tallied yards as a receiver (196), punt returner (109), and kick returner (519).

Jacob Mitchell ranks fifth in the SIAC with 61 tackles to lead the Panthers defense. Twice this season Mitchell has recorded double-digit tackle numbers with both games being on the road - FVSU (17) and Shorter (10). His 9.5 tackles-for-loss are tied for 3rd in the SIAC.

This will be the 45th game in the series with Clark Atlanta trailing 6-38. The most recent victory in the series for the Panthers was recorded in 2001 with CAU winning 17-14. After back-to-back victories in 1981-82, CAU has gone 2-31 versus Albany State.