What Is 2007 Savannah State Tigers football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2007 Savannah State Tigers football team represented Savannah State University during the 2007 NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 2–9 record under head coach Earnest Wilson. They competed as an independent team before joining the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in 2010.

Key Facts

The 2007 Savannah State Tigers finished the season with a 2–9 overall record
Head coach Earnest Wilson led the team during its transition toward Division I FCS
Savannah State played as an FCS independent in 2007, not yet in the MEAC
The team’s two wins came against Lane College and Allen University
Savannah State began its reclassification to Division I FCS in 2000 and completed it in 2011

Overview

The 2007 Savannah State Tigers football team represented Savannah State University in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) during the 2007 season. Competing as an FCS independent, the team faced a challenging schedule while continuing its transition from Division II to full FCS membership.

Under head coach Earnest Wilson, who took over in 2005, the Tigers struggled with consistency, finishing the season with a 2–9 record. Despite the tough season, the team remained committed to building a competitive program ahead of its eventual move to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in 2010.

Record: The Tigers posted a 2–9 overall record in 2007, reflecting the difficulties of competing at the FCS level as an independent.
Head coach:Earnest Wilson was in his third season leading the program, working to stabilize performance and recruit higher-caliber talent.
Conference status: Savannah State competed as an FCS independent in 2007, not yet eligible for MEAC play, which began in 2010.
Wins: The team secured victories against Lane College (31–21) and Allen University (48–0), both historically Black colleges.
Transition phase: The 2007 season was part of a multi-year reclassification process that began in 2000 and concluded in 2011 when full FCS status was granted.

Season Structure and Performance

The 2007 season followed the standard NCAA FCS schedule format, with Savannah State playing a mix of conference-bound teams and smaller independents. The Tigers faced a demanding non-conference slate, which contributed to their high loss total.

Early season: The Tigers opened with a 31–21 win over Lane College on September 1, showing early promise before a five-game losing streak.
Offensive struggles: The team averaged 18.7 points per game, ranking near the bottom nationally in scoring offense.
Defensive challenges: Savannah State allowed an average of 32.5 points per game, highlighting difficulties in containing FCS-level offenses.
Home games: Most games were played at Harrison Stadium in Savannah, Georgia, which has a capacity of approximately 7,500.
Independent status: Without a conference, the Tigers had no automatic postseason eligibility and were not invited to the FCS playoffs.
Recruiting impact: The 2007 season helped lay groundwork for future MEAC competitiveness, with increased scholarship opportunities post-2010.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2007 Savannah State Tigers with other FCS teams and key benchmarks from that season:

Team	Record (2007)	Conference	Postseason	Notable Fact
Savannah State	2–9	Independent	None	Transitioning to FCS; joined MEAC in 2010
Appalachian State	13–2	SoCon	FCS Champions	Defeated Michigan in 2007; national champions
North Dakota State	10–3	Great West	FCS Semifinals	Emerging FCS powerhouse
Hampton	7–4	MEAC	None	MEAC finalist; stronger independent competition
South Carolina State	9–3	MEAC	FCS Playoffs	Defending MEAC champions in 2007

The table illustrates how Savannah State’s independent status and transitional phase placed them at a disadvantage compared to established FCS programs. While teams like Appalachian State and South Carolina State competed for championships, Savannah State focused on long-term development and conference integration.

Why It Matters

The 2007 season was a pivotal chapter in Savannah State’s athletic evolution, marking continued progress toward full FCS membership and MEAC integration. Though the win-loss record was poor, the experience provided critical exposure and development for players and coaches alike.

Conference alignment: The 2007 season underscored the challenges of being an FCS independent without scheduling or financial support from a conference.
Program growth: Each season brought improved recruiting, helping Savannah State meet MEAC eligibility standards by 2010.
Historic context: As one of the few HBCUs moving to FCS, Savannah State’s journey highlighted resource disparities in college football.
Student-athlete development: Players gained experience against stronger competition, preparing them for higher-level play in subsequent years.
Community impact: Football remained a key part of campus life, with games drawing local support despite on-field struggles.
Legacy: The 2007 team contributed to a foundation that eventually led to Savannah State’s first MEAC championship appearance in 2011.

While the 2007 season was not marked by victories, it played an essential role in Savannah State’s long-term athletic ambitions, setting the stage for future conference success and institutional growth.