Watch Game Replay
Final Game Book
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama State University football team’s 2009 season ended in disappointing fashion with a 21-0 loss to Tuskegee in the 86th annual Turkey Day Classic Thursday at Cramton Bowl.
The Hornets (4-7) mustered just 51 yards of total offense as the Golden Tiger (9-2) recorded nine sacks and also forced three turnovers in thwarting ASU’s bid for a second straight homecoming victory.
Tuskegee moved the ball 82 yards in nine plays on its opening drive but was unable to get on the scoreboard as the ASU defense stiffened near the endzone. Despite having first and goal from the Bama State three-yard line, the Tigers were stuffed four straight times including a goal line stop by Rechard Johnson and Kynjee Cotton on fourth down.
After forcing an ASU punt, TU moved into scoring range but were once again turned away as Eduardo Murillo’s 43-yard field goal attempt caromed off the left goalpost. The third time proved to be the charm for Tuskegee as Tony Forney capped a three-play drive with a 14-yard touchdown run putting the Tigers ahead 7-0 with 3:49 left in the first quarter.
While the Alabama State offense looked to find some momentum, the Hornets’ defense continued its strong play until Tuskegee mounted a 10-play, 71-yard scoring march late in the second quarter. Nykeem Barton finished the drive with a three-yard scoring plunge with 1:30 remaining.
On the ensuing kickoff, Tuskegee forced a fumble by ASU returner Craig Freeman and recovered it deep in Bama State territory forcing a weary Hornet defensive unit back onto the field. Two plays later, Joshua Harris connected with D’Mari Franklin for a 17-yard touchdown pass and a 21-0 advantage at halftime.
The Tigers’ offense held the ball for nearly 19 minutes of the first half en route to tallying 270 yards. Tuskegee ran 43 plays to just 21 for ASU.
Defenses continued to dominate play in the second half as neither team produced any significant scoring opportunities until the fourth quarter. Tuskegee drove the ball to the ASU five yard line early in the final period, but had a 29-yard field goal attempt blocked by Cotton. Anthony Burney scooped up the loose ball and returned it 46 yards putting the Hornets on the Tigers 30 yard line.
The final three drives all ended in interceptions as Tuskegee picked off a pair of passes by Chris Mitchell and ASU safety Kejuan Riley halted a Tiger surge with an interception on the nine yard line.
Mitchell finished the day 13-of-22 for 93 yards passing, but was sacked seven times. Devin Dominguez led the Hornets with five catches for 30 yards. ASU finished with -57 yards on the ground.
Senior Adrian Hardy saved his best for last finishing with a career-high 17 tackles in his final home game. Hardy ends the season with a SWAC leading 104 stops. Johnson also tallied double-digit tackles in his last Cramton Bowl contest recording 11 stops including one sack and another tackle behind the line of scrimmage.
The Golden Tigers’ got a balanced offensive performance as Forney rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries and Harris completed nine passes for 117 yards and a score. Forney’s performance garnered him the Offensive MVP award for the game. All of Darian Barnes’ team-leading six tackles for the Tigers resulted in negative yards as the game’s Defensive MVP recorded three sacks and three tackles for loss.
ASU GAME NOTES:
*Nick Andrews and Darius Mathis both caught a pass in every game this season for ASU
*Adrian Hardy had a career-high 17 tackles and finished the season with a SWAC leading 104 stops
*First shutout in the Turkey Day Classic since ASU blanked Tuskegee, 17-0, in 1988