FORT VALLEY, GA - The Tuskegee Golden Tigers defeated Fort Valley State in their fifth consecutive road game to start the 2013 season by a score of 21-13 Saturday, in a rematch of the 2013 SIAC Championship Game.  With the victory came new personnel questions as the Golden Tigers prepare for their final game in which they have to travel for six consecutive weekends next Saturday.

Tyree Brooks fumbled a pitch from QB Justin Nared but was able to run the pigskin in from 36 yards out to give the Golden Tigers a 14-7 lead.  However, starting Junior Quarterback Justin Nared had to come out after the play, and he did not play a down for the rest of the game.

Questions linger for Tuskegee Football, as Nared looks to be a game-time decision heading into next week's game.  Senior QB Rashard Burkette from Montgomery played the entire second half, going 3-of-10 for 43 yards and an interception.  The Sidney Lanier product could start for the first time since the 2012 Tuskegee season opener (a 7-6 loss to Alabama A&M) next week at the 78th TU-Morehouse Classic in Columbus, GA.

It is a standard policy with Tuskegee Football that coaches on the staff do not comment on player injures.  But, given the situation that Burkette had to come into while playing the entire second half, Tuskegee Coach Willie Slater thinks that his quarterback played as well as he could.

"I think that he did okay," Slater said.  "He didn't get too many snaps heading into the game this week.  These are things that can be fixed in practice, so I think that everything will be fine."

A quick drive to start the second half gave the Golden Tigers a 21-7 lead, as Michael D. Thornton ran in the game-clinching touchdown from two yards out.  Jonquez Sanders scored on an eight-yard touchdown run for the Wildcats late in the game, but Tuskegee was able to run the remaining 4:13 in regulation off of the clock.

The offensive line and Tuskegee's multiple running backs were able to carry a significant portion of the load for the Golden Tigers for the second consecutive week.  A total of 201 out of 308 total offensive yards on Saturday were earned on the ground, while Devonte' Jones was able to pick up the SIAC's Lineman of the Week honor.  It is the second time in as many weeks that a Tuskegee offensive lineman has picked up the award, when Christopher Tolbert was awarded with the honor in his first week back from injury in the previous game.

On Saturday, five TU running backs were able to gain 30 yards rushing or more.  This is similar to the 41-14 victory over Lane in Jackson, Tenn. the Saturday before, when the same five players ran for over 40 yards each.  Slater credited his offensive line for finally being healthy as to why the Golden Tigers have been dependent on the running game.

"We are doing better because our guys are healthy," Slater said.  "With the return of Chris Tolbert and Ryan Jackson, we have brought a little more depth on the line, so we are able to run the football much better."

The oldest active rivalry in the SIAC resumes next week, with the 78th Annual Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic at A.J. McClung Stadium in Columbus, GA.  Both teams will be at the annual press conference at the Columbus Civic Center on Wednesday.  The game will be played this Saturday, with a start time of 2:00 p.m. Eastern/1:00 p.m. Central.  For more information on this historic rivalry (and how to purchase tickets), call (334) 727-8594 or visit www.tuskegee-morehouse.com.