Tuskegee shuts out Albany State in White Water Classic

PHENIX CITY, Ala. — Mistakes were costly for Albany State in Saturday’s White Water Classic, allowing Tuskegee to pull away for a 20-0 victory at Garrett Harrison Stadium.

The Golden Rams (0-2, 0-1 SIAC) racked up more than 100 yards in penalties and turned the ball over three times, the second turnover resulting in a decisive Tuskegee touchdown.

A 35-yard pick-six by Tuskegee’s Rorrick Steward of a pass thrown by Kelias Williams two minutes into the fourth quarter effectively put the game away, giving the Golden Tigers (1-1, 1-0) their margin of victory.

Williams and Stephon Masha split duties under center for Albany State, and neither posted strong numbers. Williams completed 7-of-14 passes for 46 yards, while Masha was 3-of-7 for 45 yards. Williams threw two interceptions, both to Steward, while Masha threw another.

Albany State’s run game didn’t get much going, either. McKinley Habersham was the only ASU player to top the 20-yard mark, picking up 47 yards on 10 carries.

Steward’s pick-six ended a string of back-and-forth possessions in which neither side generated serious scoring threats.

Albany State’s offense couldn’t get much going in the first half, with Tuskegee dominating time of possession, first downs and total yardage. Tuskegee doubled up ASU in first downs (10-5), had a nearly 2-to-1 edge in time of possession and outgained the Rams 231-114 in the first 30 minutes.

The Golden Tigers, however, weren’t able to do much deep in ASU territory. Their only red-zone visit in the first half came up empty, and their two first-half touchdowns came on 31-yard touchdown passes in long-yardage situations.

Jamarcus Ezell threw Tuskegee’s first touchdown pass, going to Chardian Johnson 3-1/2 minutes into the second quarter on a third-and-20 play.

Ahmad Deramus stepped in late in the second quarter and, on a second-and-22 play, threw a scoring pass to Javarrius Cheatham with 13 seconds to go until halftime.

Albany State plays its home opener this Saturday, when it hosts West Georgia at 7 p.m. at the ASU Coliseum. Tuskegee visits Clark Atlanta in a 6 p.m. contest Saturday.