ALBANY, Ga. __ The Tuskegee football team turned in a gritty defensive performance on Saturday afternoon but came up just short in a 7-3 loss to Albany State at the ASU Coliseum.
The Golden Tigers limited the Golden Rams to a single touchdown, while kicker Lorcan Ryans provided Tuskegee's only points with a long-distance field goal midway through the third quarter.
The contest, played in front of a crowd of 8,726 during Albany State's Homecoming, was a defensive showcase from start to finish.
The Golden Rams (6-1, 5-0 SIAC) scored the game's only touchdown midway through the first quarter on a 12-play, 9- yard drive.
Albany State leaned heavily on the ground attack during the series, with Aljhanod Thomas breaking free for a 52-yard run to set up Tiant Wyche's 2-yard touchdown carry with 2:52 remaining in the opening period.
That score would prove to be the difference in a physical, field-position battle that followed.
Tuskegee (2-5, 1-4 SIAC) created an early spark when Mikael King Jr. intercepted Albany State's first pass of the game at the 37-yard line.
The Golden Tigers later engineered one of their best drives of the day late in the second quarter, highlighted by a 38-yard completion from wide receiver EJ Hall on a trick play, but the drive stalled and later ended in a punt from Callum Brent.
The second half opened with both defenses trading stops before the Golden Tigers broke through midway through the third quarter.
After Albany State missed a 39-yard field goal on a block by Timothy Grayson Jr., Tuskegee capitalized with an eight-play, 29-yard drive that ended with Lorcan Ryans drilling a 50-yard field goal, the longest of his career, to cut the deficit to 7-3 with 4:33 left in the third.
Tuskegee's defense continued to hold firm throughout the second half, limiting the Golden Rams to 215 rushing yards and just 69 through the air while forcing multiple turnovers on downs.
Linebacker Devon Irving Jr. led the defensive charge with eight total tackles and two tackles for loss, while Kaquan Kimber, Varian Terry, and Masiah Wells each tallied six stops.
On offense, McGrew finished 8-of-36 for 73 yards, while Hall led the receivers with three catches for 60 yards, including a 38-yard grab. Preston Parker added four receptions for 40 yards, and Zina Mulbah II paced the ground game with 47 rushing yards on nine carries.
Despite the loss, the Golden Tigers held Albany State to its lowest point total of the season and limited the league's top-ranked offense to just 284 total yards, nearly 150 below its season average.
The Golden Tiger special teams unit also had a strong outing, as Brent averaged 45.8 yards per punt, including a 65-yarder that pinned the Golden Rams deep in their own territory.
Tuskegee totaled 196 yards of offense on the day, with 85 on the ground and 111 through the air. The Golden Tigers converted two fourth-down attempts and forced one turnover while committing just five penalties for 47 yards.
Tuskegee returns home next weekend to host Allen inside the Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m., with the game being broadcast live on ESPN+.
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