Savannah State spoiled Clark Atlanta’s 2008 homecoming with a 17-14 win in front of 17,893 fans on Saturday afternoon at Panther Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. The loss snapped the Panthers four-game winning streak. The Panthers had a chance to tie the game and send it to overtime, as senior quarterback Cedric Johnson drove CAU all the way to the SSU 17-yard line, but a 35-yard field goal attempt by CAU kicker Henry Boynton was wide-left as time expired.

Cedric Johnson once again had a solid performance and led the CAU offense to 448 yards on 66 plays. Johnson threw for 175 yards and rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown on only nine carries. The SIAC’s leading rusher, Winston Thompson collected his fifth consecutive 100-yard game, rushing for 145 yards on 24 carries. Clark Atlanta out gained SSU 273 to 154 on the ground, while controlling the clock 33:14 to the Tigers 26:46.

The CAU defense was outstanding all day and was paced by seniors Norris Milton, Reggie Thomas and Zimier McCloud who all finished with a game-high nine tackles a piece.

Clark Atlanta took the opening kickoff 55-yards on six plays capped off by a 26-yard field goal by Boynton giving the Panthers an early 3-0 lead.

In the second quarter CAU would add to the lead as Johnson orchestrated a 13-play, 95-yard drive that spanned 8:51, capped by his one yard quarterback sneak. Johnson would find senior tightend Dashaun Johnson in the back of the end-zone converting the two-point attempt, giving the Panthers an 11-0 lead with 4:29 remaining in the half.

Savannah State would respond on an amazing one-handed touchdown catch by Deron Talley from SSU quarterback Kurvin Curry. Curry would find Chris Bush for the two-point conversion cutting CAU’s lead to 11-8 with 1:04 remaining in the first-half.

The Tigers took the second-half kickoff 56-yards on 13 plays and kicker Derek Williams connected on a 32-yard field goal tying the game at 11-11. Clark Atlanta would regain the lead 4:56 later as Boynton nailed a 37-yard field goal giving the Panthers a 14-11 lead going into the final stanza.

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