JACKSON, Tenn. — Playing their fourth game away from home, Tuskegee produced a dominating performance on defense as the Golden Tigers earned its third win of the season with a 28-23 win over Lane College from Jackson, Tenn. The victory keeps TU perfect in the series having never loss to the Dragons owning the overall record at 22-0.
The Golden Tigers played its fourth game away from home Saturday afternoon and after both teams failed to convert early fourth down conversions, Eric Bright put Tuskegee (3-2, 2-0) on the board first with a 14-yard touchdown run making the score 7-0 following the point after touchdown. Lane (1-4, 0-2) had a chance to respond but missed a 33-yard field goal on the final play of the first quarter.
With 2:12 left in the second quarter and Lane backed up in their own territory, linebacker Osband Thompson deflected and intercepted a Marcus Reynolds pass in the end zone which put TU ahead 14-0 just before halftime.
The Dragons moved the ball early on their first possession of the second half gaining three first downs before TU cornerback Dashae Hubbard blocked a Vincentie Pena’ field goal. On the ensuing possession for the Golden Tigers, Hoderick Lowe scored on a 73 yard run, increasing Tuskegee’s lead to 21-3 at the 11:16 mark of the second quarter.
The two schools exchanged scores when Lane would capitalize from a muffed punt by Ladarell Pettway in the fourth quarter that led to Thomas Rubin connecting with Micah Grigsby for a 10-yard score in the corner of the end zone making the score 21-10. Justice Owens would respond for the Golden Tigers with a 20 yard touchdown run with just under 10 minutes left in the game creating a 28-10 lead. One possession later, Rubin scampered for 15 yard touchdown run slimming TU’s lead to 28-17.
The gutsy performance from Lane’s Thomas would continue when he again found Grigsby in the same corner of the end zone narrowing Tuskegee’s lead to 28-23 with: 50 seconds left to play. The Golden Tigers would recover the ensuing onside kick sealing deal and keeping TU undefeated in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) play.
Terance Leatherwood had a career day for the Golden Tigers with a two sack effort and six sacks. For the fifth straight game, Thompson led the team in tackles with 11 stops including one interception. Davoris Thomas added 11 tackles of his own with seven of those being solos. Kevin Dawson added seven tackles while Twan Adams finished the game with one sack.
Tuskegee face Morehouse in the 82 Annual Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic next Saturday in Columbus, Georgia. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET.
Courtesy: Tuskegee Athletics
