image via Arianna Durrell
Tuskegee found a way to win when it mattered most.
The Golden Tigers defeated Allen 26-23 on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Charles F. Bolden Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina, using a game-changing special teams touchdown and timely defensive stops to escape with a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) victory.
Preston Parker delivered the decisive play, returning a punt 50 yards for a touchdown with 6:47 remaining in the fourth quarter. His score restored a nine-point Tuskegee advantage after Allen had pulled within two points, giving the Golden Tigers enough breathing room to withstand one final push from the Yellow Jackets.
Allen cut the deficit to three points on Demetri Simmons’ 2-yard touchdown run with 2:07 remaining, but Tuskegee held on to secure the win.
According to the official SIAC box score, Tuskegee improved to 4-4 overall and 4-2 in conference play. Allen fell to 2-6 overall and 1-5 in SIAC competition.
Tuskegee Strikes Early
The Golden Tigers wasted little time getting on the scoreboard after recovering a fumble on Allen’s opening kickoff return, giving the offense possession at the Yellow Jackets’ 16-yard line.
Running back Ja’Khael Rowser finished the short drive with a 5-yard touchdown run at the 13:31 mark of the first quarter. Lorcan Ryans converted the extra point to give Tuskegee a 7-0 lead.
The Golden Tigers extended their advantage later in the opening quarter when quarterback Bryson McGrew connected with EJ Hall for a 40-yard touchdown pass. Allen blocked the extra-point attempt, leaving Tuskegee ahead 13-0.
Allen responded with a nine-play, 75-yard drive that carried into the second quarter. Brent Upshaw Jr. capped the possession with a 12-yard touchdown run, and Ethan Piel’s extra point made it 13-7.
Tuskegee threatened to extend its lead again, but a Rowser fumble ended a promising drive. Allen defensive back Ja’Mel Patterson later intercepted McGrew, giving the Yellow Jackets another opportunity to stay within striking distance.
The Golden Tigers’ defense answered by keeping Allen off the scoreboard on the ensuing possession. Tuskegee then drove into field-goal range, and Ryans connected from 33 yards with 32 seconds remaining in the first half.
Tuskegee entered halftime leading 16-7.
Allen Cuts Into the Deficit
The Yellow Jackets came out of the break with renewed momentum.
Upshaw connected with Nanders Lawrence for a 29-yard gain before finding Deveon Williams for an 18-yard reception. Ja’Morian Phillips finished the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run at 10:32 of the third quarter.
Piel’s extra point brought Allen within two points at 16-14.
Tuskegee responded with a marathon possession that consumed 11 minutes and 17 seconds. The 20-play, 66-yard drive featured contributions from the Golden Tigers’ rushing attack and McGrew, but the offense settled for another field goal.
Ryans converted from 26 yards at 14:15 of the fourth quarter, extending Tuskegee’s lead to 19-14.
Allen nearly took control on its next possession. Upshaw broke loose for a 45-yard run to the Tuskegee 8-yard line, putting the Yellow Jackets in position to take the lead. However, the Golden Tigers’ defense tightened near the goal line, and pressure forced Allen backward.
Piel salvaged the drive with a 29-yard field goal at 10:23, cutting the deficit to 19-17.
Preston Parker Delivers the Game-Changing Play
Tuskegee appeared poised to answer with another scoring drive, but a fumble by Desmond Leverette returned possession to Allen and threatened to swing the momentum.
The Golden Tigers’ defense responded by forcing another punt.
Parker fielded the kick and raced 50 yards into the end zone with 6:47 remaining. Ryans added the extra point, putting Tuskegee ahead 26-17.
The return was the game’s defining moment, giving the Golden Tigers a two-score lead after Allen had worked its way back into contention.
The Yellow Jackets continued to battle. Simmons scored on a 2-yard run with 2:07 remaining, making it 26-23. The scoring summary lists no successful extra point on the final touchdown.
Tuskegee held on for the three-point victory.
Ja’Khael Rowser Powers Tuskegee’s Ground Game
Tuskegee finished with 373 yards of total offense, including 287 rushing yards on 51 attempts. The Golden Tigers averaged 5.6 yards per carry and held the ball for 34:15, compared with Allen’s 25:45.
Rowser led the rushing attack with 131 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, averaging 6.0 yards per attempt.
Renoldo Spivey Jr. added 56 yards on six carries, averaging 9.3 yards per attempt. McGrew contributed 51 rushing yards on 11 attempts, while Cur’Tavian Clark added 22 yards on two carries.
McGrew completed 7 of 19 passes for 86 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Hall led Tuskegee’s receivers with two catches for 49 yards and a touchdown, including the 40-yard scoring reception.
Parker contributed 14 receiving yards on one catch in addition to his game-changing punt return.
Brent Upshaw Jr. Leads Allen’s Offense
Allen generated 336 total yards, including 199 passing yards and 137 rushing yards.
Upshaw completed 15 of 26 passes for 199 yards and one interception. He also led the Yellow Jackets on the ground, rushing 11 times for 61 yards and a touchdown. His longest run covered 45 yards.
Deveon Williams was Allen’s leading receiver with six catches for 66 yards. Mike Bowman added 33 yards on one reception, while Talik Graham recorded two catches for 29 yards.
Simmons finished with 48 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Phillips added a rushing touchdown, giving Allen three rushing scores in the game.
Despite producing 23 points and moving the ball effectively, the Yellow Jackets could not overcome Tuskegee’s early advantage and the pivotal punt return.
Tuskegee Defense Makes Critical Stops
The Golden Tigers recorded five sacks and limited Allen to three conversions on 10 third-down attempts.
Devin Smith led Tuskegee with eight total tackles and 1.5 sacks. Tyranny McGowan and Braylon Jessie also recorded 1.5 sacks apiece, while Jordan Reed added half a sack.
Quincy Crawford recorded an interception for the Golden Tigers.
Allen linebacker Jayshawn Smalls led all defenders with 15 total tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss. Joseph King added 10 tackles and one sack, while Patterson finished with nine tackles and an interception.
The defensive effort was especially important late in the game, when Tuskegee needed to prevent Allen from turning its final possessions into a comeback victory.
Tuskegee vs. Allen: Final Team Statistics
| Category | Tuskegee | Allen |
| Final score | 26 | 23 |
| Total offense | 373 | 336 |
| Rushing yards | 287 | 137 |
| Passing yards | 86 | 199 |
| First downs | 22 | 20 |
| Total plays | 70 | 57 |
| Time of possession | 34:15 | 25:45 |
| Third-down conversions | 6-of-14 | 3-of-10 |
| Sacks | 5 | 2 |
| Turnovers lost | 2 | 2 |
| Penalties | 7 for 73 yards | 6 for 44Â |
Tuskegee’s rushing production and possession advantage helped offset its passing struggles and two lost fumbles. Allen’s five sacks of McGrew disrupted the Golden Tigers’ passing game, but the visitors made the most of their opportunities on the ground and in the return game.
Parker’s 50-yard punt return ultimately proved the difference in a contest that remained in doubt until the final minutes.
Final: Tuskegee 26, Allen 23
