GOLDEN TIGERS TAKE PIONEER BOWL XI WITH 21-7 WIN OVER ECSU VIKINGS
GOLDEN TIGERS TAKE PIONEER BOWL XI WITH 21-7 WIN OVER
ECSU VIKINGS
Markus Douglas Named Offensive, Game MVP as Tuskegee Wins Battle of
Field Position
December 5, 2009
COLUMBIA, SC - Tuskegee University's Markus Douglas rushed for two
second half touchdowns in route to MVP honors and a 21-7 Golden
Tiger victory over Elizabeth City State University in Pioneer Bowl
XI Saturday afternoon at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.
Douglas' 8-yard run with 8:13 remaining (plus a 2-point conversion)
in the third quarter gave the lead back to the Golden Tigers 14-7.
He would add another rushing score with 6:02 left in the game to
seal the win for TU, their seventh victory at the battle between
the SIAC and CIAA.
The Vikings briefly took a 7-6 lead at 11:08 in the third
quarter. Terry Griffin forced a fumble at the TU 10-yard line
which he returned to the Golden Tiger 5 yard line. Four plays later
Tashawn Lee's three-yard pass was hauled in by Dexter Manley for
ECSU's first and as it turned out to be, only score of the day. On
the ensuing kickoff TU's Wayne Williams returned the ball all the
way to the Viking 29 yard line setting up the first of Douglas' two
touchdowns.
Through almost the entire first half it was a battle of field
position as neither team could muster much offensively. The Golden
Tigers, facing fourth down and two on the ECSU 26, all but had a
sure touchdown courtesy of Douglas in second quarter. He broke up
the middle for 25 yards however Justin Hamilton stripped the ball
at the goal line where Jeff Lynn, Jr. batted out the back of the
end zone for an ECSU touchback with 7:06 left before
intermission. However the Viking offense went three and out
and the Golden Tigers broke the scoreless tie with a 7-play 55 yard
drive on a 13-yard rushing score by Nykeem Barton. The extra point
attempt was blocked by Devon Price making the score 6-0.
The Golden Tigers held the edge in total offense (334-288) and
rushing yards (146-114). The Vikings struggled offensively as they
did not covert on a third down until the fourth quarter going
3-for-14 for the game.
Geno Trundle and Tolbert Matthews (Defensive MVP) each tallied 11
tackles apiece as ECSU finishes the year at 7-4 overall.
