MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Tuskegee struck early and traded blows throughout an explosive first quarter, but Alabama State capitalized on turnovers and big plays the rest of the way as the Golden Tigers fell 58-21 on Thursday afternoon at ASU Stadium.
 
The annual Turkey Day Classic drew a packed crowd and the contest opened with an offensive shootout before the Hornets pulled away.
 
Tuskegee came out firing with one of its best opening drives of the season. On the fourth play from scrimmage, quarterback Michael Franklin connected with Devon Cooper on a perfectly placed deep ball down the left sideline for a 67-yard touchdown, giving Tuskegee a 7-0 lead just 1:37 into the game. Alabama State immediately responded with a 75-yard drive to tie it at 7-7, setting the tone for a high-scoring first quarter.
 
The Golden Tigers answered again moments later after recovering a muffed punt at the ASU 20-yard line. On the next snap, Zina Mulbah II broke through the middle for a 20-yard touchdown run, restoring the Tuskegee lead at 14-7 with 7:04 remaining.
 
The Hornets countered with an 80-yard drive to even the game at 14-14, but Tuskegee closed the quarter with another impressive march. Mulbah capped a 7-play, 68-yard drive with a 9-yard score as time expired, giving the Golden Tigers a 21-14 lead after one.
 
From there, the momentum shifted sharply. Alabama State scored 24 unanswered points in the second quarter, beginning with an 11-yard touchdown pass, followed by an 82-yard touchdown drive, then a defensive score on a 42-yard interception return, and finally a late field goal to take a 38-21 halftime lead.
 
The Hornets continued to extend their advantage in the third quarter, opening with a three-play, 75-yard touchdown drive before adding another score on a 13-yard pass at the 8:33 mark, pushing the margin to 52-21.
 
Tuskegee's offense moved the ball in spurts but struggled to finish drives, and the Hornets added the final touchdown of the game late in the fourth quarter on a 2-yard rush.
 
Despite the final score, Tuskegee produced strong individual performances. Mulbah highlighted the afternoon with 51 rushing yards and two touchdowns, averaging 8.5 yards per carry.
 
Johnny Morris added 44 rushing yards, while Renoldo Spivey Jr. contributed 33. Franklin threw for 208 yards, including the long strike to Cooper, and EJ Hall hauled in three passes for 54 yards. Cooper finished with 76 all-purpose yards, including his early touchdown.
 
Defensively, Masiah Wells, Varian Terry, and Devon Irving Jr. anchored the Golden Tigers with six or more tackles each. Wells also recorded a fumble recovery, and Emmanuel Cannon tallied Tuskegee's lone sack of the day.
 
As a team, Tuskegee finished with 358 total yards, including 150 on the ground, and converted 6-of-11 third downs. Alabama State countered with 598 total yards, powered by a 463-yard passing performance from quarterback Te'Sean Smoot.
 
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