TUSKEGEE, Ala. __ In a thrilling home victory, the Tuskegee Golden Tigers claimed a 38-24 win over Kentucky State at Abbott Memorial Stadium, marking their fourth straight victory and improving their record to 4-3 overall and 4-1 in the SIAC.
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Tuskegee's balanced attack, strong defense, and key special teams play were instrumental in securing the win.
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The game started explosively for the Golden Tigers. Just 48 seconds into the game, quarterback
Raequan Beal connected with
Quavon Beckford on a 63-yard touchdown pass, putting Tuskegee up 7-0 early.
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Kentucky State responded quickly with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Denim Johnson to Tyler Bercy to even the score at 7-7 with over eight minutes in the first.
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Tuskegee wasted no time regaining the lead, however, as Beal found Beckford again, this time for a 23-yard touchdown, capping a seven-play, 75-yard drive.
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The Golden Tigers defense came through in a big way later in the quarter, with
Kaquan Kimber recovering a fumble and returning it 93 yards for a touchdown, pushing the lead to 21-7 by the end of the first.
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Kentucky State trimmed the lead early in the second quarter with a one-yard rushing touchdown by Guy Dorsey, but Tuskegee's
Lorcan Ryans responded with a 43-yard field goal, maintaining a two-score lead at 24-14.
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The Thorobreds added a field goal before the half, making it 24-17 at the break. Despite the pressure from Kentucky State, Tuskegee's defense and special teams kept the visitors at bay.
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The Golden Tigers dominated the third quarter, controlling the line of scrimmage and extending their lead with a nine-yard rushing touchdown by
Renoldo Spivey Jr. after a 10-play, 69-yard drive.
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The defensive continued to shine, holding Kentucky State scoreless in the third quarter. Moore registered two sacks during this stretch, helping keep the Thorobreds' offense in check.
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Tuskegee all but sealed the win with a one-yard touchdown run by
Chase Sellers early in the fourth quarter, completing an 11-play, 99-yard drive that chewed up more than six minutes of clock time.
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Kentucky State scored a late touchdown on a 27-yard pass later in the quarter, but it wasn't enough to mount a comeback as Tuskegee closed out the 38-24 win.
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Beal led the way for the Golden Tigers, completing 11-of-18 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns, both to Quavo Beckford, who finished with 125 yards on three catches.
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On the ground,
Desmond Leverette rushed for 63 yards on seven carries, while Spivey Jr. added 52 yards and a touchdown, and Sellers also contributed 23 yards and a touchdown.
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Tuskegee's defense was led by
Charles Davis Jr., who recorded 13 tackles, including six solo stops and one sack. Kimber was also a standout, not only with his 93-yard fumble recovery touchdown but also contributing solidly in the defensive backfield.
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Malik Moore added a pair of sacks along with six total tackles, while
Noah Holton and
Michiel McGuire both had six tackles, while McGuire added three pass breakups.
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Ryans was perfect in the kicking game, nailing a 43-yard field goal and converting all five extra points. He also averaged 38.5 yards per punt, playing a crucial role in the field position battle.
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Up Next
Tuskegee will return to the feel next week as they travel north to face off against Central State in Wilberforce, Ohio. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET in the SIAC battle.
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www.goldentigersports.com.
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