TUSKEGEE, Ala. ^__ After a pair of tough losses away from home to start the 2024 season, the Tuskegee Golden Tigers are set to return to the friendly confines of Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium for their home opener against Savannah State this Saturday, with kickoff set for 1 p.m.
 
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Sept. 21
Time: 1 p.m. (CT)
Location: Tuskegee, Ala. (Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium)
Watch: Golden Tiger Sports Network (YouTube)
Live Stats: goldentigersports.com/sidearmstats
Tickets: Click Here
 
SERIES HISTORY
Series: Tuskegee leads 15-6-0
First Meeting: Tuskegee, W, 26-6 (1934)
Last Meeting: Tuskegee, W, 21-14 (2023)
Longest Win Streak: Tuskegee, 8 (1934-1987)
Most TU Points: 44 (1986)
Most SSU Points: 43 (1991)
Most Combined Points: 81 (1991)
Biggest TU Win: 44-15 (1986)
Biggest SSU Win: 32-16 (1993)
 
About Tuskegee (0-2)
Tuskegee sits at 0-2 so far and heading into the matchup off a bye week after falling 37-20 on the road to Grambling State on September 7. The Golden Tigers held the Grambling offense scoreless in the second half, keeping the game in reach.
 
Receiver Gabriel Garmon had a breakout performance against the Tigers as the redshirt freshman logged his first 100-yard receiving game with six grabs for 116 yards, both career-marks. The Jacksonville, Fla. native recorded three receptions of 25+ yards (46, 26, 25).
 
Defensively, Rossie Grimes leads the team with 21 total tackles, followed by Charles Davis Jr. and Kaquon Kimber with 16 and 15 respectively, and rounded out by Malik Moore with 11.
 
The Golden Tiger offense is averaging 306.0 yards per outing after two games (228.5 passing, 77.5 rushing). Tuskegee has accumulated 612 total yards and six scores with two touchdowns through the air and two on the ground. 457 of TU's offensive yards have come via the pass with eight different players logging a reception.
 
ABOUT SAVANNAH STATE (0-2)
Savannah State also enters the game with an 0-2 record, having faced defeats against Southern University and Central State University. The Tigers have had difficulties on offense, averaging just 110.5 total yards per game and only 44.0 yards passing.

However, their defense has been aggressive, accumulating 11 tackles for loss and five sacks so far this season?. Tuskegee will need to protect their quarterback and establish a stronger rushing game to exploit the defensive gaps in Savannah State's line.
 
Key Matchups to Watch

• Tuskegee's Rushing Attack vs. Savannah State's Defense: After two games where Tuskegee's run game has struggled, totaling only 50 yards in the first game and finding minimal success against Grambling, the Golden Tigers will look to establish their ground game early against Savannah State. Johnny Morris III will be key to this effort as Tuskegee aims to get him more involved.
• Quarterback Battle: Both teams have had stretches inconsistency at quarterback. Raequan Beal and Christopher Roberson will look to shake off slow starts to the season and find a balance in the two quarterback system. For Savannah State, Jadon Adams has shown flashes of potential but will need to elevate his game, having passed for just 88 yards and thrown two interceptions in two games.
• Tuskegee's Defensive Line vs. Savannah State's Running Game: Savannah State has leaned on Jadon Adams in the run game, but Tuskegee's defensive line, led by Kimber, will aim to shut down Savannah State's 66.5-yard average rushing attack. Tuskegee's defense will need to control the line of scrimmage and force Savannah State to rely on their struggling passing game.

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