MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State University claimed a 51-21 win over Tuskegee University in the 101st Turkey Day Classic on Thursday at ASU Stadium.
From the opening whistle, Tuskegee struck first. The Golden Tigers jumped out early, driving 85 yards before quarterback Michael Franklin found a receiver downfield — a 67-yard touchdown that had Tuskegee fans roaring. Not long after, another ground score pushed them ahead 14–7, and a second rushing TD made it 21–7. It looked like an upset brewing.Â
But the Hornets didn't flinch. On the ensuing drive, Alabama State answered quickly, marching 75 yards in three plays — a powerful 3-yard run from the red-shirt back (or a short strike, depending on the play) cut the deficit. Then, quarterback Te'Sean Smoot found his groove. Just before the first quarter ended, Smoot connected for a 1-yard touchdown, narrowing the gap to 21–14.Â
What followed was complete domination by the Hornets. In the second quarter, Alabama State took over:
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Smoot drilled an 11-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 21.
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A balanced 82-yard, 10-play drive culminated in a 6-yard run by Marcus Harris II to give the Hornets their first lead since early on
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Then came a thunderbolt — an interception by Ta'Shaun Sims, returned 42 yards for a pick-six, flipping momentum entirely.
By halftime, Alabama State had turned a 21–7 hole into a commanding lead. What had started as a tight, competitive classic had become one-sided.Â
The second half only reinforced how unstoppable the Hornets had become. Smoot — who finished with a jaw-dropping 422 passing yards and four touchdown passes — delivered strikes with surgical precision. Early in the third, a quick 75-yard drive resulted in a 12-yard touchdown pass to tighe end Derick Harden, and on the next possession, Smoot found Manny Thompson for a 13-yard TD.Â
By the time the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read: 58–21 — a total statement.Â
With that win, the Hornets ended the regular season at 10–2, reaching double-digit wins for the first time since 2004.
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