Boxscore
NORMAL – With an announced crowd of 18,629 onlookers, the Alabama A&M football team defeated in-state rival Tuskegee University 21-6 to win their first contest of the year in the Second Annual Louis Crews Classic.
Junior quarterback Deaunte Mason led the team with 62 yards passing, his lowest output in the pocket during his career, but connected with junior G’Alonzo Milton for the only passing TD of the game for A&M. Mason rushed for 91 yards his highest total of the season for his second touchdown of the game. Junior running back Kaderius Lacey rushed for 61 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown.
Defensively senior Willie Fuller led A&M by posting a career high 12 tackles including a sack for a loss of seven yards and three and a half tackles for a loss of 24 yards. Freshman Chris Ervin and transfer Montay Rover each tallied eight stops for the Maroon & White.
On Alabama A&M’s opening drive the Bulldogs went nine plays for 51 yards in four minutes and 55 seconds to open the scoring in the classic. The Bulldog defense held the Golden Tigers through the first quarter not allowing their former SIAC rivals to put points on the board until 1:36 remained on the clock in the second quarter when TU’s Michael Thornton rushed in from the two yard line. The PAT failed allowing A&M to maintain the lead.
The Bulldogs then drove 42 yards in 0:58 seconds to add seven points to their total taking a 14-6 lead into half-time.
In the third quarter Tuskegee held the ball 11:19 seconds but A&M held strong not allowing the Golden Tiger to score even though there were in the red zone twice during the quarter.
The Maroon & White would go on to secure the game when Lacey burst through the middle for his longest rush and his only score.
The Bulldogs totaled 22 first downs, 178 rushing yards, 98 yards passing and scored a touchdown for the first time this season in the second half. The five sacks for 32 yards was a season high for the Bulldog defense.
Next up for the Bulldogs is a trip to Grambling, Louisiana on Saturday, September 24, for a 5:00 p.m. conference contest with the Tigers.
