What Is 2009 Savannah State Tigers football

Overview

The 2009 Savannah State Tigers football team represented Savannah State University in the 2009 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing as a Division I independent, the Tigers struggled to find consistency under head coach Robby Wells, who was in his second year at the helm.

The team faced a difficult schedule filled with stronger opponents, many from higher competitive levels, which contributed to a challenging season. Despite the win-loss record, the year provided developmental experience for a program transitioning into more competitive football.

• Record: The Tigers finished the 2009 season with a 2–9 overall record, marking a slight improvement from their 1–10 performance in 2008.
• Head coach:Robby Wells led the team in his second season, aiming to build a more competitive program after inheriting a struggling roster.
• Independent status: As an independent team, Savannah State had no conference affiliation, which limited postseason eligibility and scheduling stability.
• Home stadium: The Tigers played their home games at Ted Wright Stadium, a 10,000-seat venue located on campus in Savannah, Georgia.
• Scoring disparity: The team was outscored 335–137 for the season, averaging just over 15 points per game while allowing nearly 31.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 2009 season featured a mix of close contests and lopsided defeats, highlighting both the team’s resilience and the steep competition they faced. Several games against FBS and top-tier FCS teams tested the limits of the Tigers’ roster depth and preparation.

• Season opener: The Tigers opened with a 34–10 loss to South Carolina State, a strong MEAC opponent, setting the tone for a tough year.
• First win: Savannah State earned its first victory on September 19 with a 24–21 win over Edward Waters, an NAIA team.
• Second win: Their only other win came on October 31 against Fort Valley State, a Division II opponent, by a score of 24–17.
• Hardest loss: A 52–0 defeat to Georgia State on October 17 underscored the physical and tactical gap between the programs.
• Road struggles: The Tigers went 0–6 on the road, with all losses coming by double-digit margins, indicating difficulty in away environments.
• Offensive stats: The team averaged 12.5 points per game and just over 250 total yards per game, ranking near the bottom nationally in scoring offense.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2009 Savannah State Tigers compared to similar FCS teams in key statistical categories:

The data shows that the 2009 Tigers lagged behind both conference-level and national averages in nearly every category. Their defensive struggles were particularly pronounced, allowing more points per game than the MEAC average and significantly more than the FCS norm. While improvement was evident in scheduling tougher opponents, the team lacked the depth and resources to compete consistently at that level.

Why It Matters

The 2009 season was a transitional chapter in Savannah State’s football history, illustrating both the challenges of competing as a lower-resource program and the long-term vision of building competitiveness. Though the record was poor, the experience laid groundwork for future development.

• Program development: The season helped identify talent gaps and coaching needs as the school aimed for MEAC membership in later years.
• Recruiting lessons: Coaches used the season to assess player performance under pressure, informing 2010 recruiting strategies.
• Exposure: Playing against FBS and strong FCS teams provided valuable national exposure, even in losses.
• Player development: Young athletes gained experience, with several sophomores becoming key starters in 2010.
• Financial impact: Road games against larger schools brought in guarantee payments, helping fund the athletic department.
• Historical context: The 2009 season is remembered as a stepping stone toward eventual MEAC affiliation in 2010.

While not a successful season by traditional metrics, 2009 played a crucial role in Savannah State’s broader football ambitions, setting the stage for future conference integration and competitive growth.