TUSKEGEE, Ala. __ The
Tuskegee Golden Tigers opened the 2025 season in dramatic fashion, defeating Winston-Salem State 20-17 in the fifth annual Red Tails Classic at Montgomery's historic Cramton Bowl.
With the victory, Tuskegee improved to 1-0 on the season, fueled by a relentless defensive effort, clutch special teams play, and a pair of third-quarter touchdown passes from quarterback
Raequan Beal.
Before a raucous crowd of 15,005, the Golden Tigers delivered a statement win in a back-and-forth contest that highlighted both Tuskegee's grit and its ability to finish late.
Tuskegee struck first on its second possession when
Lorcan Ryans drilled a 31-yard field goal to cap a seven-play, 38-yard drive, giving the Golden Tigers a 3-0 lead with 5:36 left in the opening quarter.
However, Winston-Salem State responded in the final seconds of the quarter with an explosive 50-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Daylin Lee to Ja'Hari Mitchell, taking a 7-3 lead at the horn.
The second quarter was a defensive battle as Tuskegee's offense stalled while the Golden Tiger defense bent but refused to break. Winston-Salem threatened midway through the frame, driving deep into Tuskegee territory, but kicker Gilberto Lorenzana missed a 22-yard field goal attempt that would have extended WSSU's lead.
After another sustained drive by Winston-Salem late in the half, Lorenzana connected on a 34-yard field goal with 28 seconds remaining, sending Tuskegee into halftime trailing 10-3.
Tuskegee came out of the locker room determined, and Beal engineered a statement drive to open the second half. Beal completed three key passes, including an 18-yard strike to freshman
Preston Parker for a touchdown, tying the game 10-10 with 10:37 remaining in the third quarter.
The Golden Tiger defense forced a quick three-and-out, and Beal went back to work. Tuskegee marched 47 yards on 10 plays, capped by a 6-yard touchdown pass to Rashad Wilson. With Ryans' extra point, the Golden Tigers surged ahead 17-10 heading into the final quarter.
Winston-Salem refused to go quietly, tying the game at 17-17 on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Lee to Davontay Deloatch early in the fourth quarter.
But Tuskegee's offense responded with composure. On a methodical 14-play, 52-yard drive, Ryans capped the possession with a 29-yard field goal to reclaim to reclaim the lead at 20-17 with 5:15 remaining.
From there, Tuskegee's defense slammed the door shut. Defensive leaders
Devon Irving Jr. and
Deandre Chatmon helped force a Winston-Salem punt on their final possession, sealing the victory for the Golden Tigers.
Beal led the Golden Tigers' offense, completing 19-of-36 passes for 154 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception, winning MVP honors. Running back
Johnny Morris III contributed 41 all-purpose yards (41 rush, 11 receiving), while Parker added three receptions for 35 yards and a touchdown. Wilson also made a critical impact with a late six-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, Ryans went 2-for-3 on field goals, including the 29-yard game-winner late in the fourth quarter. Defensively, Tuskegee dominated the line of scrimmage, holding Winston-Salem State to just 123 rushing yards and an impressive 1-for-10 on third down conversions.
UP NEXT
The Golden Tigers will look to carry its momentum into next week as the Golden Tigers make history with their first-ever night game at Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. and the matchup will be broadcast live on HBCUGO, giving fans across the nation a chance to witness this historic moment under the lights in Tuskegee.
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ABOUT THE SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SIAC)
The SIAC is a NCAA athletic conference consisting primarily of historically black colleges and universities with headquarters in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The SIAC includes 15 member institutions (Albany State University, Allen University, Benedict College, Central State University, Clark Atlanta University, Edward Waters University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Miles College, Morehouse College, Savannah State University, Spring Hill College, and Tuskegee University), which are located within a contiguous seven-state footprint (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio). The SIAC sponsors nine men's and seven women's sports and is a proud member of the NCAA Division II. For more information, visit
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