Tuskegee Golden Tigers victorious over AAMU Bulldogs in Louis Crews Classic

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama --  A key 56-yard touchdown pass from Marquel Gardner to Justin Nared in the third quarter gave Tuskegee all the separation they needed in pulling off a season-opening upset with a 23-7 victory the 4th annual Louis Crews Classic on Saturday night at Louis Crews Stadium.

The Golden Tigers (1-0 to start the 2013 campaign) were able to break the game open early as Alabama A&M made a key mistake in the opening quarter.  Just after Nared was able to complete a 23-yard pass to Christopher Anderson, Alabama A&M's Lawrence Barnett fumbled the ensuing kickoff at his own 27 yard line.  After Tuskegee's Keith Trumps picked up the ball, Nared was able to fire off another touchdown pass on the very next play to Larry Cobb for 27 yards.  This gave the defending SIAC Champions a 14-0 lead, with two touchdowns scored in a span of 15 seconds.

Alabama A&M threatened to close the gap in the third quarter, but Cesar Ramon missed a key 27-yard field goal.  However, the Bulldogs' defense forced a three-and-out for Tuskegee, and Barrington Scott was finally able to score on the stingy defense of the Golden Tigers with a two-yard score with 1:38 remaining in the third quarter.

The game broke open again in the fourth with Gardner's spectacular score, putting Tuskegee fully in control after breaking a devastating tackle attempt near Alabama A&M's 30-yard line before coasting in for the deciding score.

Nared was 11-for-18 under center, with a total of 206 yards and three TD passes to go with one interception.  TU Coach Willie Slater also had an effective running game under center, as Rashard Burkette was the leading rusher for the Golden Tigers, as he had three rushed for 33 yards.

In a surprise move by Slater, Michael J. Thornton was relegated to his regular position as starting fullback, as he finished the game with 19 yards running on five carries.  Starting at tailback was freshman tailback Hoderick Lowe, as the graduate of Grady High School from Atlanta, GA had six carries for 31 yards.

Box Score

COURTESY TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS