Black Athletes in the Spotlight: HBCU Sports & Local Highlights
- Trevor Strowbridge returned an interception 43 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown, helping secure Savannah State's late-game lead.
- Strowbridge finished with eight tackles, including five solo and three assists, one tackle for six-yard loss, plus a pass breakup.
- Kenny Gladden returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown early, immediately shifting momentum back to Savannah State.
- Savannah State overcame a seven-point halftime deficit and rallied from two fourth-quarter deficits, scoring on offense, defense, and special teams.
Football
Joshua C. Jackson, Assistant AD for Media Relations
SAVANNAH, Ga.–Savannah State University football standouts Trevor Strowbridge and Kenny Gladden have been named the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Defensive Player of the Week and Special Teams Player of the Week, respectively, following their outstanding performances in the Tigers’ thrilling 38-36 home victory over Allen University on Saturday, October 3.
The conference announced the weekly honors on Tuesday, recognizing the duo for their game-changing contributions in Savannah State’s first victory of the 2026 season and the first career head coaching win for Thomas Howard.
Strowbridge, a sophomore defensive back from Savannah, delivered one of the game’s defining plays, returning an interception 43 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to help the Tigers secure the victory. The Calvary Day School product finished the contest with eight total tackles, including five solo stops and three assists, one tackle for a six-yard loss, and a pass breakup.
With Savannah State battling to protect its lead in a back-and-forth contest, Strowbridge’s interception return provided a crucial defensive touchdown and helped the Tigers withstand a late Allen rally. His performance highlighted a defensive effort that produced timely stops and turnovers in the conference showdown.
Gladden, a freshman wide receiver from Lithonia, Georgia, provided an immediate spark for Savannah State with an electrifying 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the opening quarter.
After Allen opened the scoring with a 57-yard punt return for a touchdown, Gladden answered just 14 seconds later, fielding the ensuing kickoff and racing 98 yards to the end zone. The Miller Grove High School product’s return, followed by Joshua Woodley’s extra point, gave Savannah State a 7-6 advantage and quickly shifted momentum back to the Tigers.
Gladden finished the contest with three kickoff returns for 121 yards, averaging 40.3 yards per return. His 98-yard touchdown was one of the game’s biggest special teams highlights and helped set the tone for Savannah State’s resilient performance.
The Tigers overcame a seven-point halftime deficit and rallied from two fourth-quarter deficits to secure the two-point victory at Theodore A. “Ted” Wright Stadium. Savannah State generated touchdowns on offense, defense, and special teams in the contest.
The victory improved Savannah State to 1-4 overall and 1-3 in SIAC play, while Allen fell to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in conference action.
Strowbridge and Gladden’s weekly honors recognize two pivotal performances in a victory that provided a milestone moment for Howard and his program.
Savannah State will look to build on the momentum when the Tigers return to the road on Saturday, October 10, traveling to Atlanta, Georgia, to face Morehouse College. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at B.T. Harvey Stadium.
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