TUSKEGEE, Ala. __ Trailing 3-0 in the fourth quarter, Tuskegee scored 14 points over the last eight minutes of the game to earn their fifth come-from-behind win of the season, defeating Clark Atlanta, 14-3, in the final game of 2023 inside of Abbott Memorial Stadium.
Running backs
Zina Mulbah and
Johnny Morris both found the endzone late in the game on rushes of over 20 yards, with Mulbah scoring with 7:32 to play on a 21-yard run, followed later by Morris scoring on a 23-yard rush with 4:53 to play for the final score on either side.
A trio of true freshman in the secondary including
Rossie Grimes,
Noah Holton, and
Tyler Smith combined to catch the three interceptions of Clark Atlanta's Heath Williams, who finished the game just 7-for-19 for 64 yards and was sacked twice.
Meanwhile, two quarterbacks saw action for Tuskegee, as
Christopher Roberson started the game and went 6-for-13 for 58 yards and an interception in the first half, while senior
Bryson Williams came in for the second half, finishing 3-for-7 for 41 yards on the day.
Mulbah recorded his second straight 100-yard game on the ground, rushing 23 times for a career-high 134 yards and a touchdown, while Morris added 46 yards on nine carries and his lone score.
The Golden Tigers set up their first touchdown after forcing a three-and-out from Clark Atlanta with just over 12 minutes remaining, with
Mikael King calling a fair catch at their own 40-yard line. Tuskegee converted the drive for its first lead of the game, with Mulbah capping off a nine-play, 60-yard drive.
The next Panther possession started with a sack from the combination of
Jarell Culberth and Javeion Miller, followed by a four-yard pass to make it second and 12 to go. Grimes all but secured the game on the next play, picking off Williams and returned it to the CAU 27-yard line to give the Golden Tigers the ball with a short field and just under six minutes to play.
Tuskegee capitalized off the turnover three plays later, as Morris gained all 27 yards, finishing the three-play drive with his seventh touchdown run of the season, making the score 14-3.
The Golden Tigers forced a final stop following the score, regaining possession with 2:57 to go after a crucial sack and false start penalty from the Panthers. Tuskegee ran out the clock to close out the game, finishing 2023 with a 3-1 home record.
King and
Malik Moore led the way for the Golden Tiger defensive unit with five tackles each, while 12 total members of the defense recorded multiple tackles in the win.
Up Next
Tuskegee will play in their final regular season SIAC game next weekend as they travel to face off with Miles College on Saturday, November 4, in Fairfield, Alabama. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. inside of Sloan-Alumni Stadium, with the game being televised on ESPN+.
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