Jarvis Small scores twice as Albany State beats Clark-Atlanta

ATLANTA — Jarvis Small rushed 22 times for 100 yards to lead the Albany State Rams to a 26-14 victory over the Clark-Atlanta Panthers Saturday afternoon to spoil the Panthers’ homecoming.

With the win, ASU improves to 4-3 overall and 4-1 in the SIAC after winning its third straight game. The Rams are also 2-0 in the SIAC East Division.

Clark-Atlanta falls to 1-7, 1-3.

Albany State scored the first points of the game at the 2:21 mark of the first quarter when Caleb Edmonds found wide receiver Jessie Atkins for a 63-yard touchdown. Zachary Gayden-Holley added the PAT, and ASU had an early 7-0 lead after a drive that went three plays for 86 yards in 1:12.

With 14:16 left in the second quarter, Gayden-Holley kicked a 34-yard field goal to put the Rams ahead 10-0, ending a six-play, 17-yard drive that used 2:49. Less than three minutes later, Clark’s Brenton Martin scored off a 58-yard pass from Matthew Vincent to cut the deficit to 10-7.

But Albany State stretched its lead back to double digits with 1:51 remaining before halftime. Small scored on a 1-yard run to give his team a 17-7 advantage at intermission.

In the third quarter, Clark-Atlanta closed the gap once again thanks to a 5-yard touchdown by Jaha McCray. The Panthers had a chance to take the lead in the same quarter, but Albany State safety Nick Scott blocked a punt in the end zone to produce a safety and a 19-14 edge with 4:52 left in the quarter.

Both teams had empty possessions in the fourth quarter. However, the Rams generated some insurance points with 2:24 left in the game. Small scored his second touchdown to account for the final score and end a 17-play, 80-yard drive that used 8:06.

Atkins had his best game since returning from an injury with three receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown. Edmonds was 8-for-18 for 150 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Scott led the way with seven tackles. Tavarius Washington and Zavondric Shingleton added 6 1/2 tackles apiece.

Albany State returns to action on Oct. 31 when it host Benedict College in another SIAC East Division matchup. It will be the final home game, and the program will observe Senior Day. Game time is set for 2 p.m. at the ASU Coliseum.