BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ^__ Despite a slow start to the ball game, Tuskegee responded with a strong second half to beat the Morehouse, 40-28, at Legion Field, in the 87th Morehouse Tuskegee Classic presented by the city of Birmingham.

Tuskegee is off to a 4-0 start in consecutive seasons in conference play for the first time since 2015-16, and now head into the back half of the schedule, beginning with a matchup next week against Edward Waters for Homecoming.

The Golden Tigers led 3-0 early in the first quarter after an opening drive field goal but had only 47 total yards on 12 plays at the end of the frame, but by the end of the day Tuskegee had over 400 yards of offense, while the defense forced two or more turnovers for the fourth time this season.

The first half was a battle, as neither team could create much separation on the field. But the Golden Tigers kept battling, made some adjustments, and got it rolling out of the halftime break, scoring a season-high 37 points in the second half.

The TU defense made its presence known early, as Zelly Aldridge picked off the first pass of the game on the second play from scrimmage to set Tuskegee up with great field position, leading to the first field goal. The unit went on to intercept three more passes on the day, including two by the game's MVP junior Christian Ramsey, followed by the fourth interception of the year from Mikael King. Offensively, Johnny Morris carried the load in the backfield, posting career highs of 20 carries and 188 yards on the ground, and two scores, along with two scores on the ground and one through the air from quarterback Christopher Roberson, as the Golden Tigers ran for 237 yards and threw for 148 yards in the winning effort.

After a 6-6 first half where neither team could get going offensively, Tuskegee got on the board quickly in the second half, receiving the ball and scoring on all running plays, capped off by a 43-yard rush for a score from Roberson to gain a 13-6 lead. The play changed momentum of the game, as the Golden Tigers went on to outscore the Maroon Tigers in the third quarter 27-7 to take control of the game heading into the final quarter.

Roberson found the endzone again later in the third with a short run at the goal line to end a three-play, six-yard drive, after one of two Ramsey interceptions, before Roberson found sophomore Corey Petty for a 71-yard bomb and score, the longest play from scrimmage in the game, giving Tuskegee a 26-6 lead with just over seven minutes to go in the third.

Morehouse responded with their first touchdown minutes later with a five-play, 77-yard drive to make the score 26-13, however Morris continued his strong effort in the backfield. The running back broke loose for a 33-yard scamper and score with under a minute in the quarter to put Tuskegee back up 20, at 33-13.

After another score from the Maroon Tigers, Morris helped seal the game for good with another score, this time on an 11-yard rush to cap an eight-play, 75-yard drive, taking up over four minutes of game play. Morehouse later scored once more in the closing moments with under 30 seconds to play to pull within 12, for the 40-28 final.

Vincent Hill had ten tackles to lead Tuskegee defensively Saturday ^__ his third double figure tackle game on the year ^__ while Ramsey had nine stops, including eight solos along with his interceptions. Petty led the receiving core for the third straight game, catching two passes for 102 yards and a touchdown, while Morris and Roberson combined for 223 yards and four scores on the ground in the win.

Up Next
Tuskegee will return home next weekend, as they host Edward Waters for Homecoming week. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. inside of the Cleve Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium, with the game being broadcast on ESPN+.

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