Tuskegee’s Lorcan Ryans kicked the first and last field goal to clinch the Golden Tigers’ 20-17 win over Winston Salem State University in the Red Tails Classic on Sunday night in Montgomery, AL.
Ryan’s game-clinching field goal was made possible by quarterback and game MVP Raequan Beal’s two touchdown passes in the third quarter. Beal finished the night with 150 yards passing on 18-33 and one interception.
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Winston-Salem State took over the lead with three seconds remaining in the first quarter. Rams quarterback Daylin Lee threw a dart 34 yards into the hands of Ja’Hari Mitchell at the Golden Tigers 16 16-yard line. Mitchell bobbled the ball but regained control, sprinting into the end zone.
The Rams’ receiving corps owes Lee a big apology. The junior quarterback completed only 9-of-19 passes, but more than a few were dropped, including two would-be touchdowns. Let that simmer. And while the pot of regret is heating, toss in the missed field goal from 22 yards out. Add it up, and the Rams left 17 points on the field.
Tuskegee also missed out on four scoring opportunities. Ryans had a 36-yard field goal attempt blocked in the first quarter by Winston-Salem State senior defensive lineman Jaylyn Norris.
Defensive lineman Emmanuel Cannon had a pass from Lee hit him smack dab in the hands at the Rams 25 25-yard line as if he was the intended receiver and nothing but open field in front of him. Cannon realized the missed opportunity seconds after the ball hit the turf. Yeah, big fella, those kinds of opportunities are rare. Golden Tigers wide receiver EJ Hall let a deep ball slip right through his fingers at the Rams 5 5-yard line.
After Ryan’s first field goal, teammate Devon Irving, Jr. gave the ball back to the offense. He could have scored, but the turf monster was in play. Rams’ receiver Nehemiah Williams lost control of the ball while attempting to turn the corner. The ball went up in the air and came down into the arms of Irving at the Rams 26 26-yard line, where he took two steps, stumbled, and fell. What the helly?
At the top of the fourth quarter and trailing 10-17, Lee went into his bag and pulled out a gem, hitting Davontay Deloatch alone near his sideline inside the 10-yard line. Deloatch spun out of the grasp of junior defensive back Antonio Knight, Jr. and walked, faked dived into the end zone.
The game remained tied for a full 8 minutes while Tuskegee ground out 14 plays and 52 yards to set up the game-winning field goal.
All photos by Jason McDonald, JM Photography for CORE360 Sports and Entertainment