Sunday, November 1, 2015
JSU Tigers Avoid Halloween Scare, Beat MVSU Delta Devils 26-16
ITTA BENA, Mississippi – The Jackson State Tigers overcame a 16-9 fourth quarter deficit, four turnovers (two interceptions and two lost fumbles) and nine penalties for 92 yards to beat the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils 26-16 at Rice-Totten Stadium on Halloween.
With the Tigers trailing 16-9 in the fourth quarter, freshman quarterback Jordan Williams helped cap a five play, 32-yard drive with an electrifying eight yard run. In his collegiate debut, Williams was able to weave his way through the Delta Devil goal line defense en route to the score. Ryan Deising’s point after kick tied the game at 16-16 with 9:06 left in the game. From that moment on JSU had the momentum.
Four minutes later a visibly injured LaMontiez Ivy connected with Devin Fosselman on a 24-yard touchdown pass to give the Tigers a 23-16 advantage. With 1:40 left in the game Deising connected on a 33-yard field goal (the 52nd of his career) to put the game out of reach.
When asked how his team scored 17 fourth quarter points during the post game interview, interim head coach Derrick McCall stated, “we just stuck with our game plan (to have a good run/pass balance).”
Deising who put the first points of the game on the scoreboard with a 36-yard field goal broke JSU’s career field goal record. He went into the game tied with Eric Perri, with each having 48 field goals. Deising also connected on a 33-yard field goal at the 5:02 mark in the first quarter to give JSU an early 6-0 advantage.
JSU’s offense struggled to consistently move the ball over the next two quarters, due to the sloppy field conditions. The game, which had to be moved up due to inclement weather, saw a steady downpour through the first half. The rain was so heavy that neither marching band performed during halftime. In addition to the weather obstacle, the Tigers had to use Ivy as an emergency quarterback because Jarin Morikawa, who started the game, lasted two series before going out with an injury himself.
The Delta Devils tied the game at 6-6 at the 8:32 mark in the second quarter when Farrean Toney returned an Ivy interception 32 yards for a touchdown. Ruben Piraquive’s 27-yard field goal at 7:57 in the second quarter gave Mississippi Valley State its first lead of the game.
With JSU trailing 16-6, Zavian Bingham’s 41-yard kick-off return, to the JSU 45-yard line, put the Tigers in position to end the third quarter with a score. With the Tigers facing a fourth and two, Daniel Williams, hauled in a 35-yard strike from Ivy to the Valley seven-yard line, which eventually led to a 24-yard Deising field goal with 54 seconds left in the third quarter.
JSU used an effective ground game, led by Robert Johnson who finished with 112 rushing yards on 24 carries. Johnson posted his second straight 100-yard rushing game of the season. Ivy completed 12 of 28 passing attempts for 147 yards and a touchdown. Devin Fosselman led all receivers with six catches for 85 yards and touchdown. Deising was perfect going 4-4 in field goals attempts.
JSU returns to action Saturday, Nov. 7 when Alabama State visits Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. Kick-off is set for 6 p.m. For ticket information call the JSU Athletics Ticket Office at 601-979-2420. For all the up-to-date information of JSU athletics visit www.jsutigers.com,
Post Game Notes:
-Ryan Deising now stands alone as JSU’s all-time leader in career field goals (52). He was a perfect 4-4 against MVSU.
-Freshman QB Jordan Williams made an impressive collegiate debut, as he jump-started the Tigers offense, scoring on an electrifying eight-yard TD run.
-RB Robert Johnson posted his second straight and third career 100-yard rushing game. He finished with 112 against Mississippi Valley State.
-DE/LB Javancy Jones was all over the field for JSU. He finished with nine tackles, a sack, 2.5 tackles for loss and a QB hurry.
-LB Kwame Bowens also had an outstanding game as he posted eight tackles. Half a tackle for loss, a pass breakup, a blocked kick and an interception.
-JSU held Valley to 11 first downs, 69 rush yards, 62 pass yards and 131 total offensive yards.
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VSU Football Gives Chowan Hawks a 32-28 Homecoming Upset
MURFREESBORO, North Carolina -- The Trojans battle back to defeat Chowan University Hawks in a 32-28 seat clinching homecoming upset. The win lifts the Trojans to a 6-3 overall record, 4-2 in the conference.
The Trojan offense was fueled by the running back duo of sophomore running back Trenton Cannon (Hampton, VA) and junior running back Kavon Bellamy (Hampton, VA). Cannon recorded 106 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown while Bellamy contributed 99 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. Senior wide receiver Gene Holloman, Jr. (Virginia Beach, VA) added 68 yards on 4 receptions and a touchdown. Running back Tyree Lee led the Hawks offense recording 118 yards on 25 touches.
Defensively the Trojans were led by sophomore defensive lineman Jonathan Pearson (Chesterfield, VA) who recorded nine tackles (six solo) while junior defensive lineman Erin Pettiford (Cedar Grove, NC) recorded seven tackles (six solo) and two sacks. The Hawks defense was led by Newberry who recorded nine tackles all solo.
On their first drive of the game the Hawks put together an eight play drive for 65 yards to take the early lead. Down by seven, Cannon burst through the Hawk defense for a 29 yard run to put the Trojans on the board and tie the game with an extra point kick by sophomore kicker Mathew Hillquist (Glenn Allen, VA) The score would remain tied at 7-7 to end the first quarter.
Watkins and Lee of the Hawks took turns running the ball on their first drive of the second quarter. A 6 yard run by Lee quickly breaks the tie and Chowan regains the lead.
The Trojans seek to answer back starting their drive with a quick pass to Holloman on first down for 17 yards, followed by a completion on 3rd & 9 to sophomore wide receiver Josh Harris (Mechanicsville, VA) to keep the drive alive. A quarterback keep by junior Tarian Ayres (Dillwyn, VA) resulted in a 7 yard touchdown for the Trojans, but a missed extra point kick attempt would leave the lead with the Hawks.
The Hawks don't hold back and revisit the end zone on a 20 yard run by Watkins to extend their lead, 21 -13. The Hawks maintained their 21 - 13 lead heading into halftime.
Chowan's offense take a shot at the end zone on their opening drive of the third quarter. A pass from Watkins to Lombard for 34 yards extended the Hawks lead to 28-13 over the Trojans.
Down by 15 the Trojans attempted to rally back, but can't convert on 3rd and 10 at the Hawks 22 yard line. Hillquist's field goal chipped away at Chowan's lead. At the end of the third quarter, the score was 28-16.
The Trojans looked to Hillquist again as they enter the fourth quarter with a fourth and goal scenario. Hillquist's field goal cuts the Hawks lead to 28 - 19.
Having under eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, a 6 yard run by Bellamy closed the scoring gap and brought the Trojans within two points of the Hawks, 28 - 26.
A two point differential and the win on the line, the Trojans put together a 19 yard drive to get the ball into Chowan's territory.
On 1st and 10 at the Chowan 39 yard line, Ayres completes a quick pass to Cannon. Cannon throws the ball deep down the field to Holloman for a Trojans touchdown. The Trojans take the lead, 32-28.
The Hawks made one last effort to score, but couldn't withstand the pressure coming from the Trojan defense. The Trojan victory would give the Hawks a homecoming upset.
"With the game on the line you got to be willing to take shots," said Head Coach Byron Thweatt. "The execution was great and it all goes back to being poised."
The Hawks move to a 5-4 overall record, 3-3 in the conference.
"Wins like this symbolize unity and family. I love this team and we understand that we practice, and play for each other," said Coach Thweatt. "It symbolizes that we stay together in times of adversity and we will always believe in each other. We are all we got and all we need."
Mark your calendars! The Trojans will take on the Panthers of Virginia Union University on Nov. 7 for Senior Day. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Rogers Stadium.
The Virginia State Department of Athletics annual 1,000 cans, 1 goal campaign initiative is underway. The canned food items collected will be donated to the local food banks. The Department encourages all fans, alumni, faculty and friends to bring a canned food item to all of the home volleyball and football games this season.
For more information on VSU Trojans Football, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports, or call 804-524-5030.
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The Trojan offense was fueled by the running back duo of sophomore running back Trenton Cannon (Hampton, VA) and junior running back Kavon Bellamy (Hampton, VA). Cannon recorded 106 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown while Bellamy contributed 99 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. Senior wide receiver Gene Holloman, Jr. (Virginia Beach, VA) added 68 yards on 4 receptions and a touchdown. Running back Tyree Lee led the Hawks offense recording 118 yards on 25 touches.
Defensively the Trojans were led by sophomore defensive lineman Jonathan Pearson (Chesterfield, VA) who recorded nine tackles (six solo) while junior defensive lineman Erin Pettiford (Cedar Grove, NC) recorded seven tackles (six solo) and two sacks. The Hawks defense was led by Newberry who recorded nine tackles all solo.
On their first drive of the game the Hawks put together an eight play drive for 65 yards to take the early lead. Down by seven, Cannon burst through the Hawk defense for a 29 yard run to put the Trojans on the board and tie the game with an extra point kick by sophomore kicker Mathew Hillquist (Glenn Allen, VA) The score would remain tied at 7-7 to end the first quarter.
Watkins and Lee of the Hawks took turns running the ball on their first drive of the second quarter. A 6 yard run by Lee quickly breaks the tie and Chowan regains the lead.
The Trojans seek to answer back starting their drive with a quick pass to Holloman on first down for 17 yards, followed by a completion on 3rd & 9 to sophomore wide receiver Josh Harris (Mechanicsville, VA) to keep the drive alive. A quarterback keep by junior Tarian Ayres (Dillwyn, VA) resulted in a 7 yard touchdown for the Trojans, but a missed extra point kick attempt would leave the lead with the Hawks.
The Hawks don't hold back and revisit the end zone on a 20 yard run by Watkins to extend their lead, 21 -13. The Hawks maintained their 21 - 13 lead heading into halftime.
Chowan's offense take a shot at the end zone on their opening drive of the third quarter. A pass from Watkins to Lombard for 34 yards extended the Hawks lead to 28-13 over the Trojans.
Down by 15 the Trojans attempted to rally back, but can't convert on 3rd and 10 at the Hawks 22 yard line. Hillquist's field goal chipped away at Chowan's lead. At the end of the third quarter, the score was 28-16.
The Trojans looked to Hillquist again as they enter the fourth quarter with a fourth and goal scenario. Hillquist's field goal cuts the Hawks lead to 28 - 19.
Having under eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, a 6 yard run by Bellamy closed the scoring gap and brought the Trojans within two points of the Hawks, 28 - 26.
A two point differential and the win on the line, the Trojans put together a 19 yard drive to get the ball into Chowan's territory.
On 1st and 10 at the Chowan 39 yard line, Ayres completes a quick pass to Cannon. Cannon throws the ball deep down the field to Holloman for a Trojans touchdown. The Trojans take the lead, 32-28.
The Hawks made one last effort to score, but couldn't withstand the pressure coming from the Trojan defense. The Trojan victory would give the Hawks a homecoming upset.
"With the game on the line you got to be willing to take shots," said Head Coach Byron Thweatt. "The execution was great and it all goes back to being poised."
The Hawks move to a 5-4 overall record, 3-3 in the conference.
"Wins like this symbolize unity and family. I love this team and we understand that we practice, and play for each other," said Coach Thweatt. "It symbolizes that we stay together in times of adversity and we will always believe in each other. We are all we got and all we need."
Mark your calendars! The Trojans will take on the Panthers of Virginia Union University on Nov. 7 for Senior Day. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Rogers Stadium.
The Virginia State Department of Athletics annual 1,000 cans, 1 goal campaign initiative is underway. The canned food items collected will be donated to the local food banks. The Department encourages all fans, alumni, faculty and friends to bring a canned food item to all of the home volleyball and football games this season.
For more information on VSU Trojans Football, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports, or call 804-524-5030.
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Sports Information GA- Shalyn Moore
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NCCU Earns Clutch Homecoming Victory with Fourth-Quarter Play
DURHAM, North Carolina – With an ecstatic fourth quarter and minimal room for error, the North Carolina Central University football team reigned victorious with a 24-16 triumph over the Norfolk State University Spartans on Saturday, Oct. 31 in front of a sellout homecoming crowd of 11,965 inside NCCU's O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
NCCU (5-3, 4-1 MEAC) receiver Armani Lanier caught a 77-yard fourth-quarter touchdown pass from quarterback Malcolm Bell, making for the longest play-pass since Oct. 30, 1999, when the Eagles battled Livingstone College and Darrell Sanders caught an 81-yard pass from Brandon Roberson. Bell's connection with Lanier broke a 7-7 tie and provided the Eagles with a much-needed push.
The Eagles defense worked wonders for NCCU with five sacks and 12 tackles for a loss. Of the team's 81 total tackles, C.J. Moore and Theo Livingston were each responsible for 13 total stops on the day.
NCCU defensive linemen Richard Mitchell had a clutch performance near the end of the game with one of his two-and-a-half sacks of NSU quarterback Greg Hankerson on a fourth-down conversion attempt with less than three minutes remaining in the game. Livingston forced the Spartan fourth down by aggressively breaking up a pass from Hankerson, who threw for 230 yards.
Eagles' running back Dorrel McClain led the offense in rushing and receiving yards with 93 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and 43 in the air. Bell finished with 281 yards of total offense, accounting for 193 yards passing and 88 rushing.
The Spartans (2-6, 2-3 MEAC) created a 13-yard touchdown run from Hankerson to claim the scoreboard early, leading 7-0 in the first quarter.
The Eagles were unable to immediately respond, and it wasn't until inside the two-minute warning of the first half that the Eagles managed to join the scoreboard, thanks to a one-yard rushing touchdown by McClain.
NCCU and NSU matched the score at seven before their journey into the locker room at halftime, but returned to the field with a scoreless third quarter.
After Lanier's tie-breaking touchdown catch, McClain ran in for a short, two-yard touchdown to give the Eagles a greater advantage, leading 21-7 with the fourth-quarter clock reading 10:56.
NSU's Hankerson responded to the Eagles, taking matters into his own hands with an electric 77-yard touchdown run, narrowing the NCCU lead to 21-13.
Near the seven-minute mark, NCCU kicker Nigel Macauley provided the Eagles with three points after a successful 33-yard field goal attempt to give the Eagles a 24-13 edge as the final minutes approached the game clock.
Despite a late 32-yard field goal from NSU's Cameron Marouf, the Eagles managed to close out another conference victory, their fourth in-a-row.
Senior day is the next event for NCCU football as the Eagles look to handle Delaware State University on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. in O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
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NCCU (5-3, 4-1 MEAC) receiver Armani Lanier caught a 77-yard fourth-quarter touchdown pass from quarterback Malcolm Bell, making for the longest play-pass since Oct. 30, 1999, when the Eagles battled Livingstone College and Darrell Sanders caught an 81-yard pass from Brandon Roberson. Bell's connection with Lanier broke a 7-7 tie and provided the Eagles with a much-needed push.
The Eagles defense worked wonders for NCCU with five sacks and 12 tackles for a loss. Of the team's 81 total tackles, C.J. Moore and Theo Livingston were each responsible for 13 total stops on the day.
NCCU defensive linemen Richard Mitchell had a clutch performance near the end of the game with one of his two-and-a-half sacks of NSU quarterback Greg Hankerson on a fourth-down conversion attempt with less than three minutes remaining in the game. Livingston forced the Spartan fourth down by aggressively breaking up a pass from Hankerson, who threw for 230 yards.
Eagles' running back Dorrel McClain led the offense in rushing and receiving yards with 93 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and 43 in the air. Bell finished with 281 yards of total offense, accounting for 193 yards passing and 88 rushing.
The Spartans (2-6, 2-3 MEAC) created a 13-yard touchdown run from Hankerson to claim the scoreboard early, leading 7-0 in the first quarter.
The Eagles were unable to immediately respond, and it wasn't until inside the two-minute warning of the first half that the Eagles managed to join the scoreboard, thanks to a one-yard rushing touchdown by McClain.
NCCU and NSU matched the score at seven before their journey into the locker room at halftime, but returned to the field with a scoreless third quarter.
After Lanier's tie-breaking touchdown catch, McClain ran in for a short, two-yard touchdown to give the Eagles a greater advantage, leading 21-7 with the fourth-quarter clock reading 10:56.
NSU's Hankerson responded to the Eagles, taking matters into his own hands with an electric 77-yard touchdown run, narrowing the NCCU lead to 21-13.
Near the seven-minute mark, NCCU kicker Nigel Macauley provided the Eagles with three points after a successful 33-yard field goal attempt to give the Eagles a 24-13 edge as the final minutes approached the game clock.
Despite a late 32-yard field goal from NSU's Cameron Marouf, the Eagles managed to close out another conference victory, their fourth in-a-row.
Senior day is the next event for NCCU football as the Eagles look to handle Delaware State University on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. in O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
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Duhart Leads ASU Past AAMU
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Senior quarterback Daniel Duhart had a hand in all five touchdowns to lead Alabama State to a 35-20 win over Alabama A&M in the 74thMagic City Classic.
Duhart completed 12 of his 22 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns while also tying his career-high with three rushing touchdowns while gaining 35 yards on the ground.
Most of the scoring for both teams was done in the first half before the rain starting falling right before halftime. Both teams only scored one touchdown in the third quarter and neither team could cross the goal line in the final quarter as a hard rain dampened both offenses.
The Hornets finished the game with 444 total yards with 228 through the air and 216 rushing. Khalid Thomas rushed for a game-high 100 yards on 20 carries to lead ASU's rushing game.
The Hornets led 28-14 at halftime and scored their only points of the second half on their first possession. ASU went 50 yards in five plays with Duhart finishing it off with a one yard run.
For his efforts Duhart was named the Most Valuable Offensive Player of the game. It was the second time he had received the game honor. He also received the honor in 2013 when he threw for his career-high 301 yards and two scores.
The Hornets defense gave up 404 yards, but was able to come up with a turnover and forced change of possessions after stopping the Bulldogs on three fourth down attempts.
Kourtney Berry was named the game's Defensive Most Valuable Player after recording a team-high 13 tackles. He also had tackle for lost yardage and recovered a fumble. He officially went over 100 total tackles on the season as his 13 tackles now gives him 101 on the season.
The game couldn't have started any better for the Hornets as Shawan Parks returned the opening kick to the ASU 42 yard line. From there it took two plays for ASU to travel the required 58 yards. The first play was a 43 yard pass to DeMario Bell and Duhart took the final 15 yards for the first score. It only took 30 seconds for the Hornets to break into the scoring column.
Duhart added another one yard touchdown run just six minutes later to put the Hornets up 14-0.
AAMU bounced right back with two scores of their own to even the score at 14. Brand Eldemire had two runs, one from nine yards and the second from 11 yards out.
The Hornets then scored the final two touchdowns as Duhart hit Brandon Barnesfrom 60 yards out and then hit Joshua Davis on a diving 18 yard reception to send ASU into the locker room with a 28-14 halftime lead.
The Hornets evened their overall record at 4-4 and now stand 4-3 in the East Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
ASU will hit the road for the final time next week when they travel to Jackson to face the Tigers Nov. 7 at 6 p.m.
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ATTENDANCE: 63,874
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Duhart added another one yard touchdown run just six minutes later to put the Hornets up 14-0.
AAMU bounced right back with two scores of their own to even the score at 14. Brand Eldemire had two runs, one from nine yards and the second from 11 yards out.
The Hornets then scored the final two touchdowns as Duhart hit Brandon Barnesfrom 60 yards out and then hit Joshua Davis on a diving 18 yard reception to send ASU into the locker room with a 28-14 halftime lead.
The Hornets evened their overall record at 4-4 and now stand 4-3 in the East Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
ASU will hit the road for the final time next week when they travel to Jackson to face the Tigers Nov. 7 at 6 p.m.
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ASU coach Brian Jenkins collapses after Magic City Classic victory
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Alabama State coach Brian Jenkins collapsed before doing a postgame interview after Alabama State's 35-20 victory over rival Alabama A&M in the Magic City Classic at Legion Field.
ASU sports information director Darrell Orand said Jenkins, 44, was dehydrated. Orand added that Jenkins was put on IVs and drank fluids in the locker room after dropping to the ground against the wall. Jenkins was conscious when sitting on the ground.
"He's going to be alright," said ASU senior linebacker Kourtney Berry after Jenkins was taken in the locker room.
After the game, ASU players were doing interviews in the stadium near the locker room. Jenkins came out to do his interview and was holding his upper leg and bending forward in obvious pain.
Seconds later, Jenkins suddenly fell as he was surrounded by media ready to interview the first-year ASU coach.
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Magic City Classic: Alabama State 35, Alabama A&M 20
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Daniel Duhart was responsible for a career-high five touchdowns to lead Alabama State in a 35-20 win over Alabama A&M in Saturday's Magic City Classic.Duhart ran for three touchdowns and threw for two scores. His three rushing TDs matches his total in last year's Magic City Classic.
The Hornets (4-4) improved to 4-3 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play. The Bulldogs (2-5) fell to 2-3.
ASU, which has won four of its last five games, has beaten A&M in three of the last four years -- and four of the last six.
Duhart connected with DeMario Bell for a 43-yard pass play on the game's first play and scored on a 15-yard run on the second. Duhart added a 1-yard TD run midway through the first quarter to make it 14-0.
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Tuskegee Golden Tigers Survive Saturday Scare
TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- The ultimate trap game was set up for the 16th-ranked Tuskegee University Golden Tigers with next week's match-up with Miles College looming, as Central State University came to town looking to spoil Senior Day.
And for the first 28 minutes it looked as though the trap had been perfectly set up by the visiting Marauders.
However, the trio of linebackers for the Golden Tigers and a senior running back led the Golden Tigers back in the final 32 minutes and as they were able to pull out a hard-fought 19-7 victory over Central State on Saturday afternoon at Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium.
Trailing 7-6 at halftime, the Golden Tigers had to kick off to Central State to start the second half – a team that is one of the leaders in time of possession in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). But that is when the momentum shifted, and shifted quickly to the home team.
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After electing to bring the kickoff out from six yards deep in their own end zone, Central State found themselves starting a drive from their own 12 to start the second half. After a two short rushing attempts, the Marauders dropped back to pass and found an open Jewell Ratliff – the only problem, Ratliff plays for the Golden Tigers. The senior linebacker, turned receiver on the play and weaved his way through eight players and found the end zone from 20 yards out, giving Tuskegee their first lead of the game at 12-7 just 1:31 into the second half.
Following a three and out by both teams, Tuskegee (8-1, 7-0 SIAC, 4-0 West) used nine plays to go 80 yards and extend their lead in the third quarter. The drive was highlighted by Dennis Norfleet picking up 24 of his career-high 106 yards on the drive and getting the ball to the Central State (4-5, 4-3 SIAC, 2-3 West) 45-yard line.
After six plays on that drive were rushing plays, Kevin Lacey dropped back to hit a streaking Leo Gilbert down the sideline for a 45-yard touchdown. The score extended the lead to 19-7 with just 1:21 remaining in the third.
Central State dominated the clock in the fourth quarter, as they went on a 23-play drive that totaled 69 yards. The drive used up 10:35 on the clock, but the Marauders came away empty-handed as the Golden Tigers – the second-best red zone defense in the country – held on four plays from the three yard line with 5:46 to play in the contest.
The Tuskegee defense held Central State to just 133 yards of total offense (2.25 yards per play), although the Marauders held the ball for just over 33 minutes in the game on offense.
Ratliff led the charge for the Golden Tigers, racking up 19 tackles with two tackles for loss. Sophomore Osband Thompson added 15 tackles with the sack that ended the long drive in the fourth quarter, and two tackles for loss. Seniors Jason Ashley and Michael Robinson each added seven tackles, while Daryl George added seven in the victory.
Senior Travis Hawkins recorded a season-high three catches for 39 yards on Senior Day, while the offense totaled 296 yards on offense in the win.
The stage is set for next week in the West Division, as Tuskegee plays host to Miles College on Homecoming Weekend at Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium. The winner of the game will advance to the SIAC Championship Game to be played at Cramton Bowl on November 14.
For more information on Tuskegee University athletics, follow us on Twitter @MyTUAthletics and like us on Facebook.
And for the first 28 minutes it looked as though the trap had been perfectly set up by the visiting Marauders.
However, the trio of linebackers for the Golden Tigers and a senior running back led the Golden Tigers back in the final 32 minutes and as they were able to pull out a hard-fought 19-7 victory over Central State on Saturday afternoon at Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium.
Trailing 7-6 at halftime, the Golden Tigers had to kick off to Central State to start the second half – a team that is one of the leaders in time of possession in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). But that is when the momentum shifted, and shifted quickly to the home team.
ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN
After electing to bring the kickoff out from six yards deep in their own end zone, Central State found themselves starting a drive from their own 12 to start the second half. After a two short rushing attempts, the Marauders dropped back to pass and found an open Jewell Ratliff – the only problem, Ratliff plays for the Golden Tigers. The senior linebacker, turned receiver on the play and weaved his way through eight players and found the end zone from 20 yards out, giving Tuskegee their first lead of the game at 12-7 just 1:31 into the second half.
Following a three and out by both teams, Tuskegee (8-1, 7-0 SIAC, 4-0 West) used nine plays to go 80 yards and extend their lead in the third quarter. The drive was highlighted by Dennis Norfleet picking up 24 of his career-high 106 yards on the drive and getting the ball to the Central State (4-5, 4-3 SIAC, 2-3 West) 45-yard line.
After six plays on that drive were rushing plays, Kevin Lacey dropped back to hit a streaking Leo Gilbert down the sideline for a 45-yard touchdown. The score extended the lead to 19-7 with just 1:21 remaining in the third.
Central State dominated the clock in the fourth quarter, as they went on a 23-play drive that totaled 69 yards. The drive used up 10:35 on the clock, but the Marauders came away empty-handed as the Golden Tigers – the second-best red zone defense in the country – held on four plays from the three yard line with 5:46 to play in the contest.
The Tuskegee defense held Central State to just 133 yards of total offense (2.25 yards per play), although the Marauders held the ball for just over 33 minutes in the game on offense.
Ratliff led the charge for the Golden Tigers, racking up 19 tackles with two tackles for loss. Sophomore Osband Thompson added 15 tackles with the sack that ended the long drive in the fourth quarter, and two tackles for loss. Seniors Jason Ashley and Michael Robinson each added seven tackles, while Daryl George added seven in the victory.
Senior Travis Hawkins recorded a season-high three catches for 39 yards on Senior Day, while the offense totaled 296 yards on offense in the win.
The stage is set for next week in the West Division, as Tuskegee plays host to Miles College on Homecoming Weekend at Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium. The winner of the game will advance to the SIAC Championship Game to be played at Cramton Bowl on November 14.
For more information on Tuskegee University athletics, follow us on Twitter @MyTUAthletics and like us on Facebook.
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