Albany State’s comeback slips away in 17-14 loss to Tuskegee

TUSKEGEE, Ala. — Albany State needed two 80-yard touchdown drives to erase a scoreless first half. Tuskegee needed less than three minutes to erase the comeback.

A tipped pass settled into Ean Nation’s hands for a 13-yard touchdown with 2:51 remaining Saturday, sending the Golden Tigers to a 17-14 victory and leaving the Golden Rams with little to show for their second-half revival.

Albany State had climbed out of a 10-point halftime deficit to take its first lead with 5:37 remaining. By the time the Golden Rams got the ball back, they were chasing the game again.

This time, they couldn’t catch it.

The loss dropped Albany State to 3-4 overall and 3-2 in the SIAC, damaging its chances of returning to the conference championship game to defend its title. Tuskegee improved to identical records and ended a two-game losing streak against the Golden Rams.

“We did a good job in the second half fighting back. We made some good adjustments at the half. Defensively, we shut them out until the last drive,” Albany State coach David Bowser said. “We started out a little slow (today) and we just have to continue to get better. I liked some things we did running the ball.”

That running game helped transform an afternoon that appeared to be slipping away.

Trailing 10-0 late in the third quarter, Albany State finally found an offensive rhythm. Jayden Threatts broke off two 13-yard runs, Malachi Eaford caught a third-down pass to extend the possession, and McCrary powered 13 yards to the Tuskegee 1.

Quarterback Jeffery Davis took it from there, keeping the ball around the right side for a touchdown with 22 seconds left in the quarter. Jonathan Rodriguez’s extra point brought the Golden Rams within 10-7, capping a 12-play march that consumed 5:39.

With the defense continuing to hold Tuskegee in check, Albany State mounted another 80-yard drive midway through the fourth.

Davis delivered one of his biggest throws on third-and-10, finding Jaquan Graham for 21 yards. A 19-yard completion to Cardrece Mobley moved the Golden Rams to the Tuskegee 16, and McCrary finished the possession with consecutive runs of seven and nine yards.

Rodriguez’s extra point put Albany State ahead 14-10.

For the first time all afternoon, the Golden Rams had forced Tuskegee to respond.

The Golden Tigers did so immediately.

Quarterback Bryson McGrew escaped for a 22-yard run, then connected with Rashad Wilson Jr. for 28 yards to the Albany State 13. Two plays later, his tipped pass found Nation in the end zone, completing a six-play, 75-yard answer.

Albany State still had time, but its next possession unraveled near midfield. After reaching their own 48, the Golden Rams were pushed back by a holding penalty and eventually turned the ball over on downs.

They regained possession with four seconds remaining, but a final pass-and-lateral attempt ended well short of the end zone.

The finish magnified the opportunities Albany State had squandered before halftime.

A lost fumble ended its opening possession in Tuskegee territory. Another drive reached the Golden Tigers’ 18 before consecutive incompletions ended the threat on downs.

Tuskegee built its lead on Renoldo Spivey Jr.’s 1-yard touchdown run and Lorcan Ryans’ 45-yard field goal. Albany State’s defense kept that deficit manageable, but the offense didn’t break through until the closing seconds of the third quarter.

The Golden Rams finished with 255 total yards to Tuskegee’s 289, committed the game’s only turnover and converted four of 12 third downs.

Davis completed 17 of 30 passes for 149 yards. Threatts supplied 80 yards from scrimmage, rushing for 46 yards on seven carries and catching four passes for 34. McCrary added 40 rushing yards on 12 carries.

Evan Wynn led the defense with eight tackles, seven solo, and two tackles for loss. Rontavion Scott made five stops, Cameron Watts broke up two passes, and James Woods recorded Albany State’s lone sack.

The Golden Rams return home Oct. 24 to face Benedict in their Senior Day game. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m., with coverage on ESPN+.