Clark Atlanta scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to make things close, but couldn't get over the hump as the Panthers were defeated 41-34 by Fort Valley State University Saturday at CAU Panther Stadium.

The Panthers (3-3, 1-1 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) had fallen behind 31-10 late in the third quarter.  But the Panthers started the fourth quarter with a nine-play, 76-yard drive that was capped by a 14-yard Johnathon McCrary touchdown pass to Deandre Jackson. 

Two plays into Fort Valley State's next drive, Jaquatin Victrum forced a Chauncey Jackson fumble which was picked up by CAU's T Kelley to give the Panthers the ball on the FVSU 4-yard line.  Two plays later, McCrary threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Rodney Morris to pull CAU within seven at 34-27.

But that is as close as the Panthers would get.

The CAU forced another Fort Valley State fumble on their next drive, but the CAU offense could only get the ball to the Wildcats' 41 before turning it over on downs.  The FVSU stiffened, only allowing a short, five play CAU drive and then picking off a McCrary pass on CAU's subsequent possession, while kicking a field goal and scoring a touchdown to put the game out of reach.

McCrary finished the day 27-of-52 for 259 yards and two touchdowns.  He did throw two late interceptions when the outcome was pretty much decided.  Jackson had a big day with seven receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown.  He also returned four kickoffs for 143 yards, including a 75-yarder that set up a Carlos Saldana field goal in the second quarter. Roger Thomas rushed for 56 yards and a touchdown.

On defense, Harding Harper had a game-high 13 tackles, ten of them solo.  Victrum had eight tackles, two for losses, and a forced fumble. T.J. Cook had eight tackles and forced a fumble.

Fort Valley State was led by Chauncey Jackson, who rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown, while quarterback Slade Jarman threw for 233 yards and a touchdown.  Loren Smothers, who had two touchdowns, returned a punt 86 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.

CAU is now 0-1 in the SIAC East, while Fort Valley State (2-3) goes to 2-0 in the division.  The Panthers visit another East Division foe in Benedict next Saturday.