The Clark Atlanta University football team had a tough time with the nation's No. 11 defense in Albany State as the Panthers fell to the Rams in Albany, Ga., Saturday, 49-0.
In the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference East Division opener for both teams, CAU (1-3, 0-1 SIAC) only had 148 yards of total offense to one of the most stingiest defenses in the country. 
Albany State (3-1, 1-0 SIAC) has only given up 33 points in four games so far this season.

Saturday, Albany got started early, getting two touchdown runs from Marks Fulks to go up 14-0 in the first quarter.  CAU showed some life early in the second quarter began moving the ball toward ASU territory behind the passing of Shariif Brown and rushing of Tahjee Hudson.  But a Brown pass was picked off by ASU, ending a 10-play drive.  ASU converted that turnover into a Dionte Bonneau TD pass to go up 21-0.

Elijah Odom stepped in at quarterback for the next two drives, but the offense still couldn't get things churning.  Bonneau ended the half with two more TD passes for Albany State as the Rams took a 35-0 lead at halftime.

The CAU defense stepped up early in the second half, forcing Albany State to punt twice in the third quarter and forcing an ASU fumble that the Rams recovered but ended one of their drives.

Odom drove CAU down the field midway through the third quarter, completing big passes to Anthony Brown and Corey King Jr.  The drive set up a 50-yard field goal attempt by Carlos Saldana, but the try was unsuccessful.

Early in the fourth, ASU was able to extend the lead to 49-0.  But CAU had one more big drive in them as Brown's passing and the running of Desjaun Kearse and Daquon Kincey got the Panthers to the Albany State one-yard line.  But on fourth and goal at the one-yard line, the ASU defense stiffened, knocking Kincey back for a two-yard loss to preserve their shutout.

Odom and Brown combined to go 14-for-29 for 85 yards and one interception Saturday.  Jeremiah Gibbs caught three passes for 14 yards, with King, Trey Wilson and Kendall Wimberly each hauled in two passes. Kearse led CAU with 25 yards rushing.

Rodney Lewis led the CAU defense with seven tackles, four of them solo; Timothy Lewis make six stops, and Tyler Wimberly added five tackles.

For ASU, Bonneau finished 13-of-18 for 197 yards and three touchdown passes, while Fullks rushed for 75 yards and two touchdowns.

The Panthers will be back on the road this weekend when they head to Alabama to take on Tuskegee (1-3, 0-1 SIAC) on Saturday at 1 p.m. CST.