Tuskegee opens conference play with a 17-8 win over Lane

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- The Tuskegee University football team held Lane College scoreless through three quarters before finally giving up a touchdown in the final five minutes of the game, on its way to a 17-8 victory Saturday afternoon at Cleve Abbott Memorial Stadium. The win gave the Golden Tigers its first conference victory of the season as they now improve to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).

TU got on the board early in the second quarter when Javarrius Cheatham hauled in a one-handed six yard touchdown pass from Ahmad Deramus. The drive only took four plays and 31 yards to execute. The Golden Tigers would go ahead 10-0 with 1:32 left just before halftime when Huskic Arnes connected on a 35 yard field. goal.

Davoris Thomas led the Golden Tigers on defense with 12 tackles, one tackle for a loss and a forced fumble. Kalil Gray ended with eight stops while Kevin Dawson added six. Cornerback Rorrick Steward also earned his third interception of the season to go along with four tackles on the afternoon for TU.

Midway through the third quarter, it would appear as if the Golden Tigers put things away when Chardian Johnson caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Deramus, which made the score 17-0 after the PAT from Arnes. However, Justin Hill scored on a nine yard run for Lane to narrow the margin to 17-7, leaving the Dragons with a little life. Linebacker Thomas would take the remaining life away for TU after he recovered a fumble in Lane's red zone with 1:07 left in the game.

Deramus completed 9-of-16 passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns. He now has seven on the season.

BOX SCORE

Tuskegee will face Morehouse in Columbus, Ga. next week in the annual Tuskegee/Morehouse Classic. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CST.

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY GOLDEN TIGERS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS