TUSKEGEE, Ala. – The Tuskegee University football program will attempt to put last week's setback in the rearview mirror and stifle a balanced West Alabama squad in the team's Home Opener inside "The Shed".
What You Need to Know
- Time and Date: Saturday, September 11 (1 pm)
- Records: Tuskegee (0-1, 0-0 SIAC) | West Alabama (1-0, 0-0 GSC)
- Location: Tuskegee, Alabama – Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium
- Series History: West Alabama Leads 7-3
- Last Meeting: September 28, 2019 | West Alabama 36, Tuskegee 16 | Tiger Stadium (Livingston, Alabama)
- Winning Streak: West Alabama (W1) | Tuskegee's Last Win: September 4, 2004 (20-0)
Tuskegee Overview
Offense
- Quarterback Bryson Williams made his first career start last weekend in Montgomery, averaging 14.14 yards per completion which ranks second in the conference and just outside the top-50 nationally.
- Williams also places among the league's top-five signal callers in passing yards (99) and top-ten regarding total offense (91.0).
Defense
- The defense played well despite what was displayed on the scoreboard, allowing fewer than 300 yards of total offense (284) and grabbing two takeaways (one fumble and one interception).
- Their 118 rushing yards allowed placed them third in the SIAC after one week of action.
- Transfers Woodly Appolon (Northern Illinois), Kevin Scott (Texas A&M-Kingsville) and Marquez Delafield (Fort Scott CC) were all involved in the turnovers as Appolon popped the ball free, Scott fell on it and Delafield snatched the pick.
- Delafield fronted the secondary with three pass breakups to rank seventh in the nation, Antonio Kennon Jr. notched two to slot immediately outside the top-25 and four other Golden Tigers swatting down one apiece.
- Wesly Appolon, twin of Woodly, made his TU debut in style, racking up 11 tackles (6 solo) to rank third in the league and top-40 in the NCAA in that category.
Special Teams
- Devarens Valcin accounted for the most total yardage for Tuskegee despite not hauling in a reception or logging a carry. Valcin put together 120 all-purpose yards, 97 on kickoffs and 23 on punts, the 12th-most return yards in Division II.
- The sophomore wideout is 16th in the NCAA for punt return average (11.5) and top-45 for kickoff return average (24.2).
- Ryan Duff sailed four punts for 124, averaging 31 yards per attempt with a long of 40.
- Arnes Huskic only made one appearance on the opening kickoff, booting the pigskin 65 yards for a touchback.
Scouting The West Alabama Tigers
UWA began the year in dominant fashion, blowing out Morehouse by a score of 48-7 in Livingston last weekend.
The Tigers are already setting the pace in several stats so far, ranking among the nation's ten-best squads in third down conversion percentage allowed (0.077), first downs allowed (8), first downs gained (29), scoring offense (48.0), passing efficiency against (49.28), yards allowed (131.0) and total offense (550.0).
The Red and White will have two All-Gulf South selections on the offensive side of the ball in wide receiver Tyriq Martin and offensive lineman Joe Oliver. Martin was held relatively in check during the opener, going for 52 yards and a score through the air.
His teammate Darius Nails stole the spotlight instead, exploding for 200 receiving yards and two touchdowns, the third-most yards in a game among all NCAA Division II this season so far.
Quarterback Darius Nails lit up the Maroon Tigers' secondary to the tune of 344 yards and four touchdowns while completing 64% of his passes and producing a rating of 200.31.
Reggie Davenport crossed the century mark as the lead back, going for 111 yards on the ground including a 53-yard gain.
On defense for UWA, the Tigers relied on sharing the wealth as only one player recorded five or more tackles (Chris Terrell, 5). West Alabama relentlessly pursued the football, leading to an interception (Shamar Lewis), fumble recovery (Terrance Carter) and even blocking a kick (Terrance Monroe).
Primary placekicker Gabriel Dunkle put two-of-three attempts through the uprights from 40 and 39 yards out while Trey Sullivan pinned Morehouse inside their own redzone on all three of his punts which traveled 92 yards.
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