With the loss, the Golden Rams have now lost to TU four consecutive times in the series. Albany State is falls to 0-2 overall, while Tuskegee, the 15th-ranked team in the country, improves to 2-0.
Albany State scored the first points of the game at the 10:15 mark of the initial quarter. Freshman Emilio Maldonado connected of his first career field goal attempt from 33 yards. The drive went six plays for 36 yards in three minutes.
Tuskegee answered the ASU scoring drive with one of its own. The Golden Tigers’ quarterback Kevin Lacey completed a 9-yard touchdown to Leo Gilbert, and ASU trailed 7-3 after a successful PAT.
In the third quarter, the Golden Rams reclaimed the lead. After Grover Stewart sacked Lacey, the TU quarterback fumbled and it was recovered by Emmauel Brown at the Tuskegee 3-yard line. ASU only needed one play to take the lead, and Jarvis Small completed the drive with the damper. The PAT was successful by Maldonado, and Albany State regained the lead at 14-10.
Between the latter part of the third period and the early moments of the fourth, the Golden Tigers regained and extended their lead. In the final two and a half minutes of the third, TU scored two touchdowns to take a 21-10 lead into the final stanza.
At the 7:29 mark of the fourth, Lacey threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to Desmond Reece to put Tuskegee ahead 28-10. Two minutes later, Albany State made an attempt at a comeback. Edmonds found Michael Green, Jr. for a 21-yard touchdown and added a two-point conversion with a pass to Christopher Hunt to cut the team’s deficit to 28-18. The drive used 1:38 and went five plays for 50 yards.
After a defensive stand by the “Dirty Blue” Defense, ASU had a chance to narrow Tuskegee’s lead. However, the Golden Rams could not find the end zone on the possession.
Green finished the day with four catches for 74 yards. Freshman McKinley Hambersham rushed seven times for 68 yards. The Golden Rams were outgained by Tuskegee in total yardage. Tuskegee netted 406 yards to ASU’s 293.
Defensively, Ryan Selby led the way with nine tackles (seven solos), while Emmauel Brown added eight tackles (seven solos) and two fumble recoveries. Monte Taylor and Grover Stewart recorded seven tackles apiece. Stewart also had two sacks.
Albany State returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 17 when it travels to Lakeland. Fla. to battle Southeastern University. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.
-Via Albany State University Athletics
