Golden Tigers look forward to Saturday’s UNC-Pembroke rematch
TUSKEGEE, Ala. (goldentigersports.com) — For just the second time in school history, Tuskegee University and UNC Pembroke will meet on the football field this weekend. This time, the Golden Tigers will be at home in the friendly confines of Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium.
Although it will be the second meeting all-time between the two teams, it will be the first time the two teams have met while being nationally ranked. Last season, the Golden Tigers were the only ranked team in the affair, however, this season Tuskegee (4-0) is ranked 11th in the latest AFCA poll while UNC Pembroke (4-0) comes in 21st.
“It is a big game,” Tuskegee head coach Willie Slater said. “I think it will be a good measuring stick for our team, they are a good fundamental football team. At the same time, if we play well we will have a chance to play with them.”
The two teams will meet this year for the first time in Tuskegee, with both teams coming in healthy and at the top of their games through four games. The Braves come into the game ranked 42nd in the county in total offense, averaging 438.3 yards per game while also averaging 39.3 points per game (27th in the nation). However, Tuskegee is ranked seventh nationally in defense (240.0 yards per game) and 12th in defense (13.8 points per game).
Defensively the Golden Tigers are led by a trio of linebackers, including Osband Thompson with 40 tackles (including five tackles for loss). Quavon Taylor has recorded 32 tackles and Kalil Gray 17 through four games, while the Golden Tigers have sacked the opposing quarterback 15 times and forced 32 tackles for loss.
“We are just going to go do what we do,” Tuskegee defensive coordinator Joseph Carter said. “They have a lot of different schemes they do, and have a lot of their guys back from last year. Anytime you can bring your quarterback back that is big when you start talking about offensive football.
“They stress what they do with schemes and tempo. They are going to do what they normally do, and we are going to try and do what we do.”
On the other side of the ball, the Golden Tigers are not bad on offense either as they come in averaging 375 yards per game and a conference-leading 30.5 points per game. They are also one of just eight teams who are perfect in the red zone this season, scoring seven touchdowns and kicking three field goals.
The offense is led by quarterback Kevin Lacey who has thrown for 829 yards in four games with seven touchdowns and just three interceptions. He has spread the ball around, but senior Desmond Reece is his favorite target through four games with 13 catches for 301 yards. On the ground, Jayjerien Craig lead the Golden Tigers with 286 rushing yards on 46 carries and a touchdown.
“They are a talented defense,” Lacey said. “They don’t have any holes on their defense and their secondary is strong. They make a lot of tackles, we just have to execute and take care of the football.
“We just have to avoid being complacent, especially within ourselves. You can’t get complacent, and think you have won before you get on the field. No game has ever been won on paper, and we just have to be prepared to play this weekend because UNC Pembroke is a very good team.”
The game will be the second consecutive home game for Tuskegee, and the Golden Tigers have just one remaining following this one at home – October 22 (homecoming).
“We definitely have to protect our field,” Slater said. “I think our guys understand that, and I our guys have some goals they are trying to attain. I think we are getting ready for this week’s game. We just have to play better, and I think we will since we getting better every week.”
Last season, the Golden Tigers were missing key parts on both sides of the football, which helped dictate the pace of the game for UNC Pembroke. Tuskegee was missing a pair of offensive linemen, a running back and defensive end Julian Morgan.
“I didn’t travel to the game due to being injured,” Morgan said. “I’m excited to get on the field for Saturday. This has been a hard week of practice leading up to the game, and you don’t want to practice hard all week to come out and not play hard.”
The two teams met last year in less-than desirable conditions as the remnants from Hurricane Joaquin were dumping massive amounts of rain in the state of North Carolina. UNC Pembroke was able to come away with a 29-17 victory at home after the Golden Tigers led 17-16 at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
“They beat us up there last year, even in the really bad weather. That is not an excuse, I think they beat us because of their fundamentals.”
The weather conditions are calling for mostly sunny conditions and a high of 86 on Saturday, with kick off scheduled for 1 pm. The game can be seen on the Tuskegee Digital Network.
