ATLANTA, Ga. – The Tuskegee Golden Tigers' five-game winning streak came to a dramatic halt on Saturday afternoon in a crucial SIAC showdown against the Clark Atlanta Panthers.
Playing at the Panthers' home field in Atlanta, Georgia, Tuskegee was edged out 36-28, dropping to 6-4 overall and 6-2 in conference play. Meanwhile, Clark Atlanta improved to 6-2 in the SIAC, tightening the race for league supremacy.
Tuskegee opened the game on a high note, executing a methodical 15-play, 68-yard drive that consumed over eight minutes of clock. The drive was capped off by
Desmond Leverette's 3-yard touchdown run, giving Tuskegee an early 7-0 lead after
Lorcan Ryans' successful extra point.
The Golden Tigers' defense showed early promise but eventually yielded a 1-yard touchdown run by Clark Atlanta's quarterback David Wright III. A missed extra point kept Tuskegee ahead 7-6 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter proved challenging for the Golden Tigers. Clark Atlanta's Alan Riggins broke free for a 20-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Panthers ahead for the first time.
Tuskegee's offense struggled to respond, and Clark Atlanta capitalized again late in the quarter, with Riggins scoring his second touchdown on a 3-yard run. The Golden Tigers went into halftime trailing 20-7, despite out-possessing the Panthers for much of the half. Missed opportunities and penalties hindered Tuskegee's efforts to keep pace.
Tuskegee came out of the halftime break determined to close the gap. Leverette found the end zone for the second time, scoring on a 1-yard run to conclude an impressive 11-play, 80-yard drive, cutting the deficit to 20-14.
However, the momentum shift was short-lived, as Clark Atlanta struck back immediately. Wright connected with wide receiver Jamal Jones on a 68-yard touchdown pass, extending the Panthers' lead to 26-14. Tuskegee's defense had difficulty containing Wright's explosive plays, a factor that proved costly throughout the game.
The fourth quarter saw a valiant comeback attempt from Tuskegee. Quarterback
Raequan Beal scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown, making it a one-score game at 26-21. Clark Atlanta, however, maintained their composure and answered with another touchdown, as Wright found Armone Harris in the end zone, stretching the lead to 33-21.
Beal connected with
Quavon Beckford on a 19-yard touchdown pass, bringing Tuskegee back to within five points at 33-28. However, Clark Atlanta held off the Golden Tigers with help from a 27-yard field goal, sealing the final score at 36-28.
Beal led the Golden Tigers' passing attack, completing 18 of 31 passes for 174 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also contributed on the ground, rushing for 38 yards and a touchdown.
Renoldo Spivey Jr. was the top performer in the backfield, rushing for 75 yards on 15 carries, while Leverette added two rushing touchdowns. Beckford stood out among the receivers, hauling in three catches for 49 yards and a touchdown. Overall, Tuskegee's offense produced 358 total yards, with 184 yards coming on the ground and 174 through the air.
Malik Moore anchored the defense with nine total tackles, while
Charles Davis Jr. recorded seven tackles on the day. However, the defense struggled to contain Clark Atlanta quarterback David Wright III, who had a stellar performance, completing 21 of 25 passes for 310 yards and two touchdowns.
The Golden Tigers' defense also had difficulty in key moments, allowing several explosive plays that swung momentum in Clark Atlanta's favor.
Up Next
Tuskegee will return to the field next weekend as they host rival Miles College for the Centennial Homecoming game. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. inside of Abbott Memorial Stadium.
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