Columbus, GA  |  The Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic returned to Columbus, GA for the first time since 2019, and for the Maroon Tigers, the welcome was not gracious on the field.  The Maroon Tigers struggled offensively in the contest, and fell to the Golden Tigers, 42-0 before over 6,000 fans at A.J. McClung Stadium.

After receiving the opening kickoff, the Maroon Tigers went three-and-out on their opening drive.  After a 36-yard punt by reigning SIAC Specialist of the Week, Seve Spruill, II, Tuskegee matched down the field.  The Maroon Tiger defense would bend, but not break, and hold the Golden Tigers to just outside the red zone.  Tuskegee would kick a 32-yard field goal to take an early 3-0 lead.  Neither team would be able to establish a sustained drive for the remainder of the 1st quarter, and the quarter would end with no additional scoring.

Tuskegee would make their first trip into the red zone add an additional field goal early in the 2nd quarter, with a drive that started with 00:34 remaining in the previous quarter.  Morehouse would attempt to answer the score by driving into the Tuskegee territory, for the first time on the day.  The drive would stall at the Golden Tiger 30-yard line, and the Maroon Tigers were forced to punt.  After the touchback, Tuskegee would drive 80 yards, using just over four minutes, and score the first touchdown of the day, from three yards out.  The score would be 13-0, in favor of Tuskegee, at the half.  

Tuskegee would score on the opening drive of the 2nd half, but miss the PAT, to increase the score to 19-0.  Morehouse would go three-and-out and then punt, but Tuskegee would fumble on their first play on the ensuing drive, to give the Maroon Tigers some hope.  Morehouse would drive deep into the Tuskegee red zone, but QB Miles Scott would tackled for a loss on a 3rd down rush, and the field goal unit would come onto the field.  The field goal would go wide-left, but an offsides penalty gave Morehouse life.  The next attempt would be blocked, by Tuskegee.  The Morehouse defense would hold, forcing a punt, but the Maroon Tigers gained possession at their own 3-yard line.  On the next play, Morehouse would throw an interception, setting Tuskegee up with the ball on the Maroon Tiger 4-yard line.  Three plays later, Tuskegee would increase their lead to 27-0, to close out the 3rd quarter.

After a Morehouse punt to open the 4th quarter, Tuskegee would march down the field and add another touchdown.  The two teams would trade punts.  With 7:52 remaining in the game, Tuskegee would work six-minutes off of the clock and put the final dagger in the Maroon Tigers, scoreing a touchdown to increase their lead to 42-0.  Morehouse would gain their final possession, with 1:52 left in the game, and run the clock out.

On the day, Morehouse was out-gained 401 yards to 144 yards, 91 in the air and 53 on  the ground.  The defense would recover two fumbles.  Tuskegee would control the clock 31:20 to 28:40.

Miles Scott was named the game MVP for Morehouse for the game.  Scott accounted for 105 yards of the 144 total yards gained by the Maroon Tigers.  Sean Johnson would lead the Maroon Tigers, defensively, with 10 tackles, including a tackle-for-loss and a quarterback hurry.  Tyler Davis would add seven tackles.  Joel Jones and Isaiah Reaves would recover fumbles for Morehouse.  Seve Spruill, II would punt the ball eight times for an average of 39.2 yards per punt.  

The Maroon Tigers will have a bye this week and return to action on October 19, as they travel to Albany State to face the Golden Rams.  Kickoff is set for 2PM from the ASU Coliseum.  For up-to-date athletic information on the Maroon Tigers, follow them on social media or online at www.morehouseathletics.com.