SAVANNAH, Ga. – Tuskegee's defense, embarrassed a week ago in a disappointing loss to Edward Waters, showed up Saturday against Savannah State.

The Golden Tigers, after giving up 41 points and 428 yards in total offense, including 354 through the air, limited the Tigers to 269 yards in total offense and pitched a shutout in the second half to come away with a 21-14 victory at Theodore A. Wright Stadium before an announced crowd of 12,723.

Tuskegee improved to 6-2 overall and 5-1 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with the win. Savannah State fell to 2-6 and 1-5.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Golden Tigers struck first when Zina Mulbah scored on a 5-yard run to cap an eight-play, 48-yard drive. Lorcan Ryans' extra point gave Tuskegee a 7-0 lead with 6:38 left in the first half.

Savannah State rallied with two touchdowns in a three-minute span to take the lead at intermission.

Quarterback Jadon Adams scored on a 19-yard run at the 5:12 mark to cap a three-play, 64-yard drive and less than three minutes later, Shamarcus Poole capped a three-play, 56-yard drive with a nine-yard run to give the Tigers a 14-7 lead at the half.

Tuskegee dominated from there.

Johnny Morris scored on a two-yard run to cap a seven-play, 45-yard drive with just under four minutes left in the third quarter. Ryans' extra point tied the game at 14-all.

Then, with just under seven minutes left in the game, quarterback Christopher Roberson scored from a yard out to give the Golden Tigers the lead for good. Ryans' third extra point gave Tuskegee a 21-14 advantage and the defense did the rest.

Tuskegee's defense harassed Adams all day long, coming away with three sacks, while limiting him to 11-of-19 completions for 182 yards and one interception. 

Linebackers Vincent Hill and Malik Moore led the way for the Golden Tigers.

Hill had seven tackles and one pass break up, while Moore finished with seven tackles, including a sack, two tackles for loss and a pass breakup.

Defensive back Christian Ramsey came away with six tackles and a sack, while defensive back Noah Holton finished with four tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. Defensive back Mikael King had two tackles and two interceptions.

Offensively, Roberson was 10-of-25 for 135 yards and an interception. Mulbah rushed for 113 yards on 16 carries and scored a touchdown, while  Morris III finished with 53 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown.

Wide receiver Antonio Meeks had five catches for 92 yards.

Tuskegee hosts Clark Atlanta Saturday at Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium. Kickoff is 1 p.m.