I've been a fan of college football, especially HBCU football, for a long time. I started my HBCU career 11 years ago as a freshman at Fort Valley State, and since then I've attended a lot of football games, both as a fan and as a journalist. This is the first day where I quite literally could not stand the heat. I've been a fan of college football and specifically HBCU football for a long time. I started my HBCU career 11 years ago as a freshman at Fort Valley State, and now I've been to a lot of football games, both as a fan and as a journalist. This is the first day I quite literally couldn't stand the heat.

When my family and I arrived on site at Wildcat Stadium for the Benedict College versus Fort Valley State game, it was humid but cloudy. The clouds went away rather quickly, though, and it became unbearably hot, so much so that my family and I decided to go into the student center, where we ultimately began to socialize with alumni and community members. We nearly missed Fort Valley State's comeback and a scoring error that would have likely resulted in the HBCU version of the Michigan-Western Michigan controversy, only for an in-conference matchup.

Benedict College ultimately emerged victorious, 34-33, and the same issues that ultimately have plagued Fort Valley State in the Malon Watson era were showcased. The Wildcats showed tremendous promise against one of the best teams in the conference, and while some things need to change, they showed a level of fight that can carry them through the rest of the season.

Defense saved the day for the Wildcats

Simply put, Fort Valley State's defense was the Wildcats' star. The offense, through most of the first three quarters, simply couldn't move the ball down the field, though there were big plays, such as Roger Payne's 70-yard touchdown run and Don Hudson's 12-yard scamper that ignited the Wildcat comeback. The defense prevented Benedict from putting this game out of reach many times. The Wildcats' defense forced three turnovers from Benedict: one fumble and two interceptions, including an amazing playmaking interception that came off a tackle. The ball then popped into the hands of the Fort Valley State defender, which I saw as a potential turning-point moment for Fort Valley.

We have enough of a sample size of Marlon Watson's Wildcats competing against some of the best teams that the SIAC and Division II football have to offer. Talent is not the issue, but for Fort Valley State in this era, it's execution and play calling. The defense has been contending with teams like Delta State, Benedict, and the University of West Alabama, but to truly make that leap to championship level, Fort Valley State has to figure out how to make that offense more competent around Don Hudson Jr.

The offense before the comeback was uninspired

My family and I withstood the heat until early in the fourth quarter. The last play we saw that had us all outdone was Don Hudson handing off to Roger Payne. That was ultimately stuffed by the Benedict College defenders blitzing. That added to the frustration and confusion about what was being called on offense, and whether the offensive line could sustain Don Hudson long enough to make throws in the pocket.

Throughout the game, Hudson did what he normally does: make amazing runs and reads on the run.  But the same problems persisted. It appeared that Don had happy feet in the pocket, and some of the concepts were odd, even though the short shutdown passes were ultimately successful at several points in the game. While I am a fan of Hudson's ability to play make with his legs and scramble, I think he'll be better served as a true dual threat. To do that, he has to navigate the pocket before bursting out to run.

The touchdown throw to JT Pendleton that ultimately turned into a 61-yard gain before being stopped at Benedict's 6-yard line was a perfect example of the proof of concept of what Dine could be if he used his mobility to navigate in the pocket. He stepped up in the pocket and found Pendleton for a great play and a great game.

Now, granted, Benedict, for some reason, decided to rush only three and play a bit of prevent defense, which ultimately led to that huge gain. Of course, that played a part in how Hudson navigated the pocket. Still, that is proof of concept that I want to see more of throughout the season, and however long Don Hudson will be at Fort Valley State.

Jett Peddy was solid (the box score isn't telling the full story)

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Former Florida A&M Rattler turned Benedict College QB1 Jett Peddy is exactly what the Tigers needed. While Jett had some moments that weren't ideal, he proved adept at calling the game and using both his arms and his legs to make things happen for Benedict's offense. That was a great recruiting win for Ron Dickerson and could be the deciding factor for Benedict ultimately making and winning the SIAC championship and advancing into the NCAA Division II playoffs once again.

I was a fan of how you could see him process the field and decide whether to run or pass in tandem with Benedict's three talented running backs. They put Fort Valley State's defense in precarious situations that, more often than not, Benedict benefited from. It's hard not to say this isn't the best team in the SIAC. I know it's a long season, and Fort Valley gave them all they could handle, but with Petty under center and a stable of talented running backs who can all make plays, Bearded is a team to watch out for.

The controversial scoring error

The game was ultimately defined by a pretty odd scorekeeping error that could have affected both teams' strategy. The game was ultimately defined by a pretty odd scorekeeping error that could have affected both teams' strategy. At the start of the fourth quarter, around the 8-minute mark, Christopher Johnson made a 25-yard rush to the end zone to go up 27-15 after the PAT.

For some reason, the PAT wasn't reflected on the scoreboard, although he made it, so it read 26-15. At the start of the fourth quarter, around the 8-minute mark, Christopher Johnson made a 25-yard rush to the end zone to go up 27-15 after the PAT. For some reason, the PAT wasn't put on the scoreboard, although he made it, so the scoreboard read 26-15. In a normal game where Benedict goes on to win, the score discrepancy wouldn't have mattered much and probably would have been caught after the game. Due to Fort Valley State's comeback attempt, it became a huge story that left both ESPN+ commentators, Thai Floyd and Sylvester Williams, audibly confused, as well as the coaches of both teams. Fans from both Benedict and Fort Valley State were confused, too.

Ultimately, Benedict was assessed the point, and Fort Valley went on to score two touchdowns to tie the game, but instead of going for the PAT, they went for two on the first touchdown to attempt to make it 26-23 because they thought Benedict had 26. The PAT was unsuccessful and ultimately was the precursor to what occurred at the end.  I believe that is an example of how the incorrect score being on the scoreboard affected the game, as if they went for the PAT, the score would've been 27-22.

The touchdown at the end of the game would have made the score 28-27 with Fort Valley in the lead before the PAT. That scenario changes the strategy for both Fort Valley State and Benedict, as Benedict would have had to come back on offense, look to the score to regain the lead, and ultimately secure the victory.

While this doesn't take away from Benedict's win, it ultimately is an unfortunate ending to a game that had the opportunity to be one of the games of the year. Nevertheless, Fort Valley State has several things to clean up to ensure this doesn't happen again, especially against better teams in the SIAC and Division II football.