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| COURTESY: THE SIAC |
The game started with Albany State's Adrian Alexander returning the opening kickoff 98-yards for a touchdown. Zachary Gayden's point after attempt was good. Down 7-0, Tuskegee rallied back with an 18-yard rush by Hoderick Lowe on 3rd and 16. Trevor Wylie's point after was good to tie the game 7-7. On the next possession, Albany State was forced to punt after they were unable to convert on a 3rd and 8 situation.
On this possession, Lowe rushed for a 56-yard touchdown, Wylie landed the PAT to take Tuskegee up 14-7. The Golden Rams went three and out on their next drive and were forced to punt. After a fair catch by Devozea Gaines, the Golden Tigers took over on their own 48-yardline. Larry Cobb was in perfect position for a 58-yard pass from Kevin Lacey to enter the end zone. Wylie once again landed the point after, taking the score to 21-7.
Albany State unsuccessfully attempted a 47-yard field goal on their next drive. The first quarter ended during the Golden Tigers' next possession.
Unable to convert on a 3rd and 5, Tuskegee was forced to punt. Albany State faced with a third and long and were unable to reach the first down marker was forced to punt on their possession. Progress was suspended, as Tuskegee had to punt on their next drive. On their next drive, the Golden Rams' Frank Rivers connected with Quadrey Simmons for a 14-yard touchdown and Gayden's PAT was good. The score was 21-14 with 5:57 remaining in the first half.
The remainder of the half saw failed attempts on behalf of both teams. Going into the locker rooms at halftime, the score remained 21-14.
The second half saw Tuskegee with the opening kickoff, however Lacey was sacked for a loss of nine yards, fumbled in the end zone, the fumble was recovered by ASU's Tavarius Washington to score. The two-point conversion attempt by Devonta Osborne failed; the Golden Tigers' held a narrow 21-20 lead with 13:04 remaining in the third. Lacey threw an interception on the next Tuskegee drive.
On their next drive, the Golden Rams' Jarvis Small rushed for a two-yard touchdown to take the lead. Gayden's kick was good for the point after, taking Albany State to a 27-21 lead. Tuskegee's Wylie nailed a 48-yard field goal on the next TU possession with 6:11 remaining in the third to bring the score to 27-24. Albany State couldn't make any progress with their drive and were forced to punt.
Justin Nared entered the game as the play caller for the Golden Tigers and connected with Marquel Gardner for an 84-yard touchdown; Wylie's PAT was good. With a 31-27 lead, the Tuskegee defense reentered the contest with 0:52 remaining in the quarter. The third ended with the Golden Rams in possession on their own 41-yardline.
With a close contest, the fourth quarter began and 15:00 separated the champions from the runner-ups. ASU was unable to score; therefore they were forced to punt. The Golden Tigers were unable to score and were forced to punt as well. It all came down to the final eight minutes of the contest. The Golden Rams' Rivers completed a five-yard stinger to Leonard Walker for a touchdown and Gayden's point after was successful.
Down 34-31 the Tuskegee offense entered the contest to shift the momentum of the game. Kaleep Williams made a brilliant 42-yard catch from Nared to add points in the Tuskegee column. Wylie made the point after to place the Golden Tigers up 38-34. Undeterred Albany State's Rivers once again connected with Simmons on a ten-yard touchdown. Gayden pushed ASU up further by landing the point after. TU was down 41-38 with 1:42 remaining in the game.
With a final chance to clinch the contest, the Golden Tigers started on their own 36-yardline after an 18-yard kickoff return by Lowe. Tuskegee marched the ball down the field and Michael J. Thornton scored on a two-yard dash and Wylie added the point after. The next kickoff saw the Golden Rams give up a safety. With 32 clicks remaining the Golden Tigers were in possession of the ball. With a quarterback knell the time ran down and Tuskegee earned the 2014 SIAC Championship.
The season does not end here for the Golden Tigers. With their fate in the air Tuskegee awaits their destiny for the 2014 Division II Football Playoffs. The selection show is scheduled for Sunday, November 16, 2014 at 5:00 PM EST. It can be viewed at: http://www.ncaa.com/live/player?vid=2014/1829&date=2014/11/16).
BOX SCORE
COURTESY TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
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