Game Details
The Edward Waters Tigers (0-0) open their 2025 season at Savannah State on Saturday, August 30, with kickoff at 6:00 PM ET inside Theodore A. “Ted” Wright Stadium. The venue is smoke-free, enforces a clear-bag policy, and prohibits umbrellas. Forecasts call for a high of 79°F, a low of 71°F, east-northeast winds at 5–10 mph, and a 70% chance of rain.
Series History
This I-95 rivalry dates to 1930, and Edward Waters leads the all-time series, 13–12–4.
Team Overviews
Edward Waters Tigers
EWU finished 2024 on a two-game winning streak, carrying momentum into Week 1 .
Savannah State Tigers
The Tigers won four of their final six games in 2024 en route to an improved SIAC standing.
Four SSU players earned preseason All-SIAC honors: DL Xavier Esquillen and LB Gary Davis Jr. (First Team Defense); OL Keshawn Palmore and Khalifa Sene (Second Team Offense). Esquillen and Davis also landed HBCU Sports Preseason All-American nods, with Esquillen garnering BOXTOROW honorable mention.
Coaching & Schemes
Edward Waters, under second‐year head coach Toriano Morgan, features a balanced offense aiming to marry a downhill run game with play-action passing.
Savannah State’s staff returns a defense built on gap control and disguise—mixing zone blitzes with tight-coverage shells to force turnovers.
Key Matchups
Savannah State’s front seven vs. EWU’s offensive line: controlling the line flips field position and forces long down-and-distances.
Ball security: in a rivalry this tight, the team that wins the turnover battle swings momentum—consider EWU turnover-prop plays.
Weather impact: rain and wind favor ground-and-pound drives; the Under looks appealing if conditions hold.
Special teams spark: a long return or blocked kick can compress the spread—watch early kickoff-return props.
Broadcast & Streaming Info
Watch live on ESPN+ with Todd Corder and J.J. Jurjevic on the call. Live stats available at ssuathletics.com/sidearmstats/football/summary.
Game Odds
Edward Waters Tigers 48
Savannah State Tigers – 20.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, August 29, 2025
