Box Score
Golden Rams comeback falls short against Miles
Junior wide receiver Jessie Atkins caught 13 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns, but the Albany State Golden Rams' comeback fell short, losing to Miles College 22-14. With the loss, ASU is now 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the SIAC. Miles is now 1-2, 1-0 in the SIAC.
Albany State got off to a solid start, as the "Dirty Blue" defense held the Golden Bears in check on their first possession. When the ASU "Gold Rush" offense took the field in the first quarter, it immediately went on a 12-play, 75-yard drive that ended when quarterback Frank Rivers found Jessie Atkins in the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown at the 7:01 mark. The PAT by Zachary Gayden-Holley was good to give Albany a 7-0 lead.
The Golden Rams held the lead until 3:14 remaining in the second period. Miles tied the game at that moment with a touchdown, and the halftime score arrived with both teams tied at seven apiece.
In the third quarter, Miles took the lead at the 9:53 mark with a 37-yard rushing touchdown to give the Golden Bears a 13-7 lead. Albany State was able to stop Miles on their attempted PAT. Another Golden Bear touchdown at the start of the fourth period brought Albany State's deficit to 19-7. Miles added a field goal at the 8:33 mark to make the score 22-7 in favor of the Golden Bears.
Albany State refused to go away. The Golden Rams used seven plays and 75 yards on its next drive. Rivers found Atkins in the end zone again, this time for a 12-yard touchdown pass. Gayden-Holley 's PAT score 22-14 with 5:14 left in the game.
The Albany State defense was able to stop Miles and get the ball back. However, the Golden Rams could not find the end zone to tie the game.
Rivers attempted 36 passes and connected on 25 of them for 260 yards. He also was the team's leading rusher with 44 yards. Marcavius Dudley led the ASU defense with 14 tackles (seven solo) and Tavarius Washington added 11 more tackles (seven solo).
Albany State will be open on October 5th. The Golden Rams will return to action on October 12th when they travel to Lane College. Game time is slated for 2 p.m.
