Clark Atlanta Triumphs with Late Touchdown to Beat Fort Valley State 26-21
Clark Atlanta secured a hard-fought 26-21 victory over Fort Valley State in their conference opener, scoring a game-winning touchdown in the final two minutes. 
With the win, the Panthers have now defeated the Wildcats in back-to-back seasons, a notable achievement given that Clark Atlanta had lost 10 of the last 11 matchups with Fort Valley State since 2012. This victory also marks the first time the Panthers have beaten the Wildcats in consecutive years since 1991.
The game got off to a slow start for both teams, but Fort Valley State eventually broke the deadlock in the first quarter, launching a long drive that ended with a touchdown as the second quarter began. Wildcats quarterback Don Hudson, who finished with 142 passing yards and two touchdowns, connected with T.J. Pendleton for the game’s opening score.
Hudson’s running game played a pivotal role in the drive, as he gained 56 rushing yards on five carries, including a key nine-yard run that set up the touchdown pass. He would finish with 119 rushing yards on 23 attempts.
After Clark Atlanta was forced to punt on its first possession, the Panthers’ defense responded with a safety following a pressure on Fort Valley State quarterback Eric Searcy. That safety sparked Clark Atlanta’s offense, which went on to score two touchdowns on their next two possessions, taking a 16-7 lead at halftime.
Fort Valley State came out strong in the third quarter, scoring on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Hudson to Pendleton to cut the Panthers’ lead. Following a defensive stop by the Wildcats, Fort Valley regained the lead with a five-minute drive capped by a two-yard touchdown run from Michael Cabellero, making it 21-16.
Clark Atlanta answered in the fourth quarter, starting with a 35-yard field goal to make it 21-19. The next key moment came when Fort Valley State failed to convert a fourth-down attempt, giving the Panthers the ball back with 7:50 remaining. Clark Atlanta then marched down the field, converting two critical third downs before McDonald connected with Armone Harris on a six-yard touchdown pass (Harris’ first of the season) to take a 26-21 lead with 2:50 left.
In a final attempt to reclaim the game, Fort Valley State called a timeout with 42 seconds left, facing a fourth-and-three at the Clark Atlanta 12-yard line. Hudson attempted to scramble for the first down but was tackled short of the line. The referees ruled he didn’t make the necessary yardage, resulting in a turnover on downs and a victory for Clark Atlanta.
With the loss, Fort Valley State drops to 0-2, marking their first 0-2 start since 2019. Meanwhile, Clark Atlanta improves to 2-1, marking the first time the team has started consecutive seasons with two wins in their first three games since 1997. If the Panthers win their next game against Allen next Saturday, it will be the first time in 62 years they have won three of their first four games in consecutive seasons.
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