Image via DJ Pearson
Tuskegee made it a game early on Alabama, but Alabama State would eventually seize control and cruise to a 58-21 win in the Turkey Day Classic.
The Golden Tigers struck first when quarterback Michael Franklin connected on a 67-yard strike with Devon Cooper on the fourth play of the game to put Tuskegee up 7-0 just 105 seconds into the contest.
The Hornets answered back on the next possession with a quick strike score of their own. Te’Sean Smoot’s 69-yard pass to Jalen Jones set up Alabama State on TU’s 6-yard line. Two plays later Jamarie Hostzclaw’s 3-yard touchdown run tied the game at 7 at the 12:02 mark.
Later in the quarter, Alabama State muffed a punt, which Tuskegee’s Gabriel Garmon recovered at the ASU 20-yard line. Zina Mulbah II scampered in from 20 yards out, putting Tuskegee back out in front 14-7 with 7:04 remaining in the opening quarter.
Alabama State responded by tying the game when Smoot connected with Ajai Harrell on a 2-yard scoring pass that capped off a 6-play, 80-yard drive.
Tuskegee answered back once again, this time with a 7-play, 68-yard drive that ended on Mulbah II’s second scoring run of the day. His 9-yard touchdown run put the Golden Tigers back in front 21-14.
Alabama State knotted the score back at 21 on an 11-yard pass from Smoot to Dylan Creech at the 13:14 mark of the second period.
After Te’Shaun Sims intercepted a Franklin pass, Alabama state March 82 yards and 10 points getting in the end zone on Marcus Harris ‘ second 6-yard rush then put them on 2821.
Call 2 next possession Sims picked off Franklin again but this time we took it 42 yards to The House house pushing the Alabama state advantage for 35 to 21 with 143 left in the first half.
Alabama State was able to force the Tuskegee three-and-out on the next possession, giving the ball back to their opponents with a minute and eight seconds left in the first half. The Alabama State offense would make use of that time turning it into an additional three points when Brandon Gilligan connected with a 23-yard field goal to extend the Alabama State lead to 38 to 21 heading into halftime.
Receiving the second half opening kickoff the Alabama State off it’s wasted little time getting back on the board travelling 75 yards in just three plays, reaching the end zone when Smoot connected with Derick Harden on a 12-yard pass that pushed the lead to 45 to 21 with 13 minutes and 34 seconds left in the third quarter.
Another score would come on Alabama State’s very next offensive possession when in smooth The connected with Manny Thompson on a 13-yard pass making the score 52 to 21 at the 833 mark of the period.
The Alabama State offense lit the lamp again, going for it on 4th and 1 at the Tuskegee 2-yard line and turning it into points when Aydden Moody-Copeland got into the endzone. The PAT was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 58-21. Mercifully for Tuskegee, this was the Hornets’ last score of the afternoon.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Te’Sean Smoot completed 20 of 24 passes for 422 yards and 4 touchdowns. The completions and touchdown passes both tie season highs, while his 422 passing yards are a season high.
Jalen Jones hauled in 6 passes for 189 yards, while Marcus Harris II ran for 34 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts.
With the win, Alabama State moves to 10-2 overall and 7-1 within the c
