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Tuskegee had several electric moments during Saturday's Homecoming battle with in-state rival Miles on Saturday afternoon. But the Golden Tigers could not hold on to a fourth-quarter lead and suffered a heartbreaking 35–27 defeat to the Golden Bears at Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium.
In front of 20,363 fans, Tuskegee battled the Golden Bears throughout the contest, but Miles used a decisive fourth-quarter surge to overcome a six-point deficit and secure the eight-point victory.
The first half was a back-and-forth affair. Miles scored on its opening drive but Tuskegee answered almost immediately when Pryce Lewis electrified the homecoming crowd with a spectacular 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, tying the game at 7. Miles regained the lead in the second quarter but Tuskegee responded with a 17-yard scoring run by Ja'Khael Rowser. After another Miles touchdown pass, Tuskegee kicker Lorcan Ryans connected on a 36-yard field goal just before halftime to cut the deficit to 21–17 going into the break.
Tuskegee came out of halftime with renewed energy. Rowser scored his second rushing touchdown of the afternoon on a one-yard run, giving the Golden Tigers a 24–21 lead in the third quarter. Ryans added a 31-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, extending Tuskegee's advantage to 27–21. After forcing a turnover on downs, it appeared as if the Golden Tigers were headed to a third straight victory.
But a botched handoff between McGrew and Rowser turned into a Miles possession deep in Tuskegee territory. The Golden Bears answered with touchdowns on consecutive possessions to put the game away and see the Golden Bears win on Homecoming at Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium for the second time in three years.
Tuskegee will close out its 2026 campaign in the Turkey Day Classic against Alabama State on Nov. 26 in Montgomery, Ala. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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