What Is 2010 Savannah State Tigers football

Overview

The 2010 Savannah State Tigers football team represented Savannah State University in the 2010 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing as an independent with no conference affiliation, the team faced a challenging schedule against both FCS and Division II opponents.

Under the leadership of head coach Earnest Wilson, who was in his third year at the helm, the Tigers struggled to find consistency. Despite flashes of competitiveness, the team finished the season with a 3-8 overall record, marking a slight decline from previous years.

• Record: The Tigers finished the 2010 season with a 3-8 overall record, including just one win against Division I competition.
• Head Coach:Earnest Wilson led the team in his third season, having taken over in 2008 after a long career as an assistant.
• Home Stadium: Games were played at Ted A. Wright Stadium in Savannah, Georgia, a 10,000-seat facility serving as the team's home since 1969.
• Scoring: The offense averaged 16.6 points per game, totaling 183 points across 11 games, with inconsistent offensive production.
• Schedule: The team played a mix of FCS and Division II opponents, including losses to North Carolina A&T (21-17) and South Carolina State (38-10).

Season Performance and Game Results

The 2010 campaign featured a non-conference schedule filled with regional Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and mid-tier FCS programs. The Tigers showed resilience in close games but lacked the depth and execution to secure more victories.

• Opening Game: Lost to Edward Waters College, a Division II team, 24-21 in Week 1, setting a difficult tone for the season.
• First Win: Earned a 24-17 victory over Allen University in Week 3, marking their first win against a Division II opponent.
• Division I Wins: Secured only one win against FCS competition: a 28-21 victory over Fort Valley State in October.
• Defensive Struggles: Allowed an average of 27.5 points per game, with the defense often overmatched by stronger opponents.
• Final Game: Concluded the season with a 45-14 loss to Florida A&M, highlighting the gap between Savannah State and top-tier FCS programs.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2010 Savannah State Tigers' performance against selected FCS teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC):

The table illustrates that while Savannah State's record was comparable to Howard's, their scoring margin was among the worst in the region. The Tigers were outscored by 119 points on the season, reflecting challenges on both sides of the ball. Unlike MEAC members, Savannah State lacked the scheduling stability and resources of a conference-affiliated program, which impacted development and competitiveness.

Why It Matters

The 2010 season was a transitional period for Savannah State football as the program sought to establish itself at the FCS level. Though results were underwhelming, the experience laid groundwork for future improvements and eventual conference alignment.

• Program Development: The season provided valuable experience for young players who would form the core of future rosters.
• Recruiting Challenges: As an independent, Savannah State faced difficulty scheduling quality opponents and attracting top-tier talent.
• Financial Strain: Travel costs and lack of conference revenue created budgetary pressures on the athletic department.
• Future Conference Move: These struggles contributed to the decision to join the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in 2011.
• Competitive Growth: The exposure to stronger programs helped identify areas for improvement in coaching, training, and game planning.
• HBCU Representation: Continued participation helped maintain visibility for Historically Black Colleges in NCAA Division I football.