Football 10/15/2026 12:28:00 PM Chris Myers

ASU Makes First Trip to Tuskegee in 16 Years Saturday

ALBANY, Ga. – Coming off a resounding Homecoming win, the Golden Rams take their show back on the road this weekend. Albany State looks to stay in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference mix when it heads to Tuskegee University for the first time in 16 years.
     ASU takes on a battled-tested Tuskegee program. The Golden Rams and Golden Tigers kick off the action at 2 p.m. CST/3 p.m. EST. It can be seen on ESPN+ and heard on the ASU Radio Network on WZBN 105.5 FM.

SIAC Season Week #7
ASU (3-3/3-1 SIAC) vs. Tuskegee (2-4/2-2 SIAC)
     It will be a test of a new environment for the Golden Rams in a tough place to play in Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium. Due to various scheduling of game locations, the two long-time SIAC rivals have not played on the gridiron in Tuskegee since the 2010 campaign
     The Golden Rams returned to the win column last Saturday in their Homecoming contest, which saw the weather clear and over 50 points put on the scoreboard. The Golden Rams surpassed 50 points at 51-0 for the first time since the 2025 season opener at Shaw University (51-7). ASU also evened it home mark to 1-1 and stayed in the SIAC Championship Game race at 3-1. The Golden Ram result helped the team rebound from the close 24-16 loss two weeks before to Kentucky State. ASU had a two-game win streak with victories over both Savannah State (49-17) and Allen (32-28) after a rocky start to the year in losses to FCS Florida A&M (20-7) and defending CIAA champion Johnson C. Smith (27-7).
     The Maroon Tigers have played five close NCAA DII games and fell short in three of those. Tuskegee traveled to southwest Ohio last weekend and suffered a 27-19 decision to upstart Central State. Tuskegee's two wins came in a road classic over Fort Valley State (24-23) in the second game and a Thursday night nationally televised home upset of ranked Benedict College (20-17) three weeks ago.

    Important Matchup in SIAC Ranks
     ASU and Tuskegee are two of the eight teams battling for spots in either the SIAC Championship Game or as one of the two teams who will play an 11^th game against teams of the Conference Carolinas to add to their NCAA playoff resumes.
     Albany State made sure its loss stayed at one game in the SIAC ranks last weekend in the win over Lane College. The Golden Rams claimed the previous 11 Conference contests before the defeat to the Thorobreds of Kentucky State.
     The Golden Tigers are an even 2-2 in the SIAC and can move back in contention for one of the top four spots with a strong end of its season. Tuskegee started 2-0 in league play only to drop two close contests the last two weeks by a combined 10 points.
     The other important SIAC contest this weekend has the only undefeated squad, Edward Waters (4-0), playing at Benedict College (3-1).

Davis Continues Among DII Leaders
     After showing up in the top ranks last week, ASU has its quarterback Jeffery Davis continue to be in the NCAA DII leaders. Davis ranks third in pass completion percentage at .730 (73 of 100) and leads the SIAC in the category. He also is sixth in pass (190.8 yards/game).

49th Meeting between Rams & Golden Tigers
     For the second year in a row, ASU and Tuskegee meet during the regular season after not meeting for the 6 prior campaigns. The Golden Tigers hold a 25-22-1 series advantage but the Golden Rams have claimed the last two and three of the last 4 meetings dating back to 2017.
     ASU won last Oct. 18 in Albany, in a tight 7-3 final. It was the first time the two programs had met since a 21-0 Golden Ram win in Albany.
     The 2020 contest previously slated to be in Tuskegee was canceled.
     In fact, the two teams have not played in Tuskegee since 2010, which was an ASU 34-6 victory. ASU scored 20 points in the second quarter and made it 27-0 with a third-quarter score in the story of the contest.
     After the 2010 meeting, the two teams played in Albany three years later in the series at 2013. From 2014 through 2019, the two foes played five-straight years in the White Water Classic in Phoenix City, Alabama. ASU and Tuskegee did face off in the 2014 SIAC Championship, but it was played in Montgomery, Ala.
     Overall, Tuskegee won six of the last 10 in the series. The Golden Tigers last victory came in 2018 as the final White Water Classic affair by a 20-0 final score.

ASU Last Game: Rams Run Away from Dragons in 'Homecoming' Win

     ALBANY, Ga. – After not knowing if the game would be played due to rain all Friday, the 'Homecoming' weather could not have turned out better. Albany State's gridiron performance equaled the nice Saturday afternoon weather as it ran away with a dominant 51-0 football shutout of Lane College.

The Golden Rams wasted no time in taking control of the action as they scored touchdowns on their first two possessions, totaled five touchdowns and a field goal in the first six times with the ball with only a narrowly missed field goal as the only time without points.

With the victory, ASU returned to the win column to even its season mark to 3-3, but it more importantly went to 3-1 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

ASU's special teams shined brightly with two blocked punts, including one for a touchdown, and a third was going to be blocked before the Lane punter was taken down without attempting the punt. The home blue defense was just as stout by allowing the Dragons -19 net rushing yards, 89 total yards and a strip sack was returned 64-yards for another score.

"That is the way you are supposed to play for Homecoming," pointed out ASU Head Coach David Bowser, who gained his first win at the ASU Coliseum Saturday. "We were strong in the three phases of the game today. I am proud of the coaching staff in the preparation for Lane. We were working ourselves and getting better and we showed the progress we made."

"Coach Schultz and his special teams had a great day. Along with the kick offs, our punt block was aggressive and I love that. Many times that special team's success can set the tempo (as it did today)," continued Bowser.

Not to be left out, the offense had its own efficient day. The Golden Ram attack produced 409 yards of total offense on 67 plays for a 6.1-yard per play average. The unit had 409 yards through the air and 245 yards rushing. Leading the offense through the first half, Jeffery Davis connected on 12 of 18 passes for 128 yards with two touchdowns and also ran for 51 yards on five carries with a pair of rushing scores.

"I am proud of how JD ran the offense and ran the ball today. He ran it today himself where he handed it off in the last game," added Bowser.

The second ASU quarterback Vinson Berry added 28 yards on 3 of 6 passing and had a 15-yard run. Zhay'Lyn Bell completed all three of his passes for 8 yards.

Cardrece Mobley pulled in a team-high six passes for 90 yards and a 33-yard touchdown. Duke Timmons added 25 yards on two catches with the day's first score, a 21-yard catch. Cameran Lloyd added three receptions for 13 yards.

On the ground, Jayden Threatts ran for 46 yards on five totes, while all three of Kameran Ward, William Heck and Ricky Fulton had 24 yards apiece. Sincere Rodriguez plunged into the end zone from five yards of his three carries for 19 yards.

Leading the Ram defense, which allowed only 89 total yards, Rontavion Scott posted seven tackles, a tackle for loss, an interception and a pass breakup. D'Avary Weeks recorded 2.5 tackles for loss with a sack, six stops and a QB hurry. Evan Wynn added five tackles and a tackle for loss to go with his 64-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

Avery Hall chipped in 1.5 sacks, while both Caleb Anderson and Derrick Drayton had a sack each.

After a quick three-and-out by Lane (0-7/0-5 SIAC), ASU took over on the visitor 36-yard line and only needed four plays for Davis to hit Timmons from 21 yards for the first score only 4:06 into the day.

The Rams defense sacked the Dragons on third down back to the Lane 11-yard line on the ensuing possession. Caleb Anderson blocked the Lane punt and Ryker Flynn recovered on the two-yard line and took it into the end zone for the second score.

ASU's punt block ran through and forced the Lane punter to eat the ball on the third possession. Davis ran in the fourth offensive play from two yards out to extend the ASU lead to 20-0 with 4:28 left in the first frame.

The home team added 17 second-quarter points with Wynn's 64-yard fumble recovery touchdown after Anderson strip sacked the Lane quarterback. Mobley pulled in a 33-yard scoring strike and Jonathan Rodriguez booted a 30-yard field goal for the 37-0 intermission total.

Davis burst through the Dragon defense for a 40-yard QB touchdown run and Sincere Rodriguez capped the scoring with 5:11 in the third.

Tuskegee Last Game: Golden Tigers can't run down Central State
(courtesy of Tuskegee Athletic Comms)

WILBERFORCE, Ohio — The Interim head coach Keith Higdon seemed to have a clear philosophy going into his first game leading the Tuskegee football program against Central State.

Pound the rock.

The Golden Tigers ran the ball 49 times for 255 yards - both season highs - but could not withstand the Marauders' aerial assault in a 27-19 loss Saturday at McPherson Stadium. CSU quarterback Jackson Wasik threw for 319 yards and four touchdowns - the last coming early in the fourth quarter of a one-point game - to send Tuskegee (2-4, 2-2 SIAC) to a second straight defeat.

Tuskegee quarterback Bryson McGrew was able to get it done in the air and on the ground, combining for 223 yards of total offense and a touchdown pass, which was a 23-yard strike to EJ Hall midway through the first quarter that gave the Golden Tigers a 7-0 lead. But on the Marauders' thrid play from scrimmage on their ensuing drive, Wasik connected with Avantae Burt on a 60-yard touchdown pass to tie the score less than a minute later.

The Wasik-Burt connect was a problem all afternoon for Tuskegee as the two hooked up twice more for scores. CSU finished a seven-play, 84-yard drive with a 20-yard scoring pass to Burt early in the second quarter to put it ahead. A Lorcan Ryans 25-yard field goal right before halftime cut the deficit to 14-10. But a five-play, 90-yard drive to open the third quarter - highlighted by a 68-yard completion to Tryon Williams - was finished with a 19-yard pitch-and-catch between Wasik and Burt for a 20-10 lead with 12:37 left in the third quarter.

The Golden Tigers mounted their comeback from there. A methodical 13-play, 60-yard drive that took more than seven minutes ended with a 43-yard field goal by Ryans to cut into the deficit. After a missed CSU field goal, McGrew got 31 of his 93 rushing yards on one play, which ultimately led to an 11-yard touchdown run by Ja'Khael Rowser with 12:24 remaining. But the extra point was missed and Tuskegee still trailed 20-10.

Central State then quickly made its way back into the end zone. A 33-yard kick return was followed by a 53-yard completion and, finally a 9-yard touchdown pass from Wasik to Gregory Hughes to give the Marauders an eight-point advantage. The Golden Tigers then went on another lengthy drive in hopes of tying the game. But the 13-play, 67-yard trek was short-circuited when they failed to get in the end zone on four plays after having first-and-goal from the 6. CSU got the ball back with 4:22 remaining, converted three first downs, and TU never got the ball back.

Rowser has 22 carries for 106 yards, his third straight game crossing the century mark on the ground. Renoldo Spivey, Jr. added another 41 yards on 12 totes and Preston Parker had a team-high four catches for 37 yards. Denard Johnson had a team-high six tackles (one for loss) and Ezekiel Moore had two tackles and a sack for Tuskegee

Rams Return Home for 'Senior Day' Against Tigers
            The Golden Rams return home for the final time of the 2026 regular season next Saturday, Oct. 24, against the Tigers of Benedict College. The contest starts in a 1 p.m. kick-off.

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Players Mentioned

#14 Zhay'Lyn Bell: QB; 6' 5"; Sophomore

#34 William Heck: RB; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#91 Derrick Drayton: DE; 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior

#21 Sincere Rodriguez: RB; 5' 11"; Senior

#32 Jayden Threatts: RB; 5' 10"; Redshirt Freshman

#10 Evan Wynn: DB; 6' 0"; Junior

#5 Rontavion Scott: S; 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior

#46 Jonathan Rodriguez: K/P; 5' 9"; Redshirt Freshman

#51 Caleb Anderson: LB; 5' 8"; Junior

#10 Vinson Berry: QB; 6' 2"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#14 Zhay'Lyn Bell
: 6' 5"; Sophomore
: QB

#34 William Heck
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: RB

#91 Derrick Drayton
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior
: DE

#21 Sincere Rodriguez
: 5' 11"; Senior
: RB

#32 Jayden Threatts
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Freshman
: RB

#10 Evan Wynn
: 6' 0"; Junior
: DB

#5 Rontavion Scott
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior
: S

#46 Jonathan Rodriguez
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Freshman
: K/P

#51 Caleb Anderson
: 5' 8"; Junior
: LB

#10 Vinson Berry
: 6' 2"; Junior
: QB