Saturday, the Clark Atlanta University Panthers pounced early but couldn't maintain the momentum, falling to Fort Valley State 40-7.

Clark Atlanta (2-6, 0-4 SIAC) jumped out in front early as Shariif Brown led a 13-play, 58 yard, late first-quarter drive that was capped by Brown's 16-yard TD run, giving CAU an early 7-0 lead.

But Fort Valley (5-3, 2-1 SIAC), who had seen a previous three-game winning streak ended by a 51-3 drubbing by Morehouse a week before, didn't allow the early CAU drive to sour their homecoming weekend.

After their first two drives ended with a CAU interception by Tyrese Ross and a three-and-out that led to a FVSU punt, the Wildcats answered with three second quarter touchdowns to go up 21-0 at the half.

FVSU quarterback Tyrell Jackson threw two touchdown passes during that spree, one, a 41-yarder to Tajee Steele and a second, a 20-yarder to Tamir Jones. 

The second half saw two CAU turnovers turned into scores: Brown was fumbled on a sack, in which FVSU used two plays to convert into a touchdown; and CAU's Desjaun Kearse's pass was picked off by Tavian Coleman and returned for a touchdown.

The Panthers turned the ball over four times-  three interceptions and a fumble - Saturday and only had 182 yards of total offense.  Brown was 6-of-9 for 44 yards and one interception.  He was sacked three times.  Kearse was 4-of-11 for 59 yards with two interceptions and he was sacked twice.

Brown led the Panthers in rushing with ten rushes for 22 yards and a touchdown.   Three CAU receivers caught two passes: Darren Stephens had two receptions for 49 yards, Kendell Wimberly had two catches for 25 yards, and Drakar Jerry added two receptions for 20 yards.

On defense, Charles Crawford had ten tackles, seven of them solo, while Zion Nwokocha added nine tackles and one tackle for loss.  Ross had six stops to go with his interception and Travis Taylor had five tackles.  Rodney Lewis, Aderrius Barron, and Shaka Brown each had four tackles.

Fort Valley State was led by Jackson, who finished 15-of-27 for 194 yards and two touchdowns.  He had one interception and was sacked once.   Emanuel Wilson had a huge day on the ground for FVSU, rushing 23 times for 161 yards and a score.  Kent Williams added 84 yards and a TD on ten rushes.

The Panthers return home this weekend for Homecoming 2021 when they host Benedict College at 2 p.m.   Benedict fell to Morehouse 20-5 in Columbia, S.C. last Saturday.  They have lost two straight and are 3-5, 0-4 in the SIAC, this season.