#27 Devonta Parker-Johnson (Running Back)
GOLDEN BEARS HOPES STILL ALIVE AFTER 17-27 LOSS TO TUSKEGEE
FAIRFIELD, AL - Miles allowed a golden opportunity to slip away in its 17-27 loss to Tuskegee at Albert. J. Sloan-Alumni Stadium Saturday.
The Golden Bears won't repeat as Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champions after falling in a matchup that pitted the western division's top two teams against each other. Coming into the game ranked No. 1 in the NCAA's Division II Super Region 2 poll and No. 15 in the country in the American Football Coaches Association poll, they were in the driver's seat to win the western division title, move on the SIAC championship and maybe host the playoff games.
Now, the Golden Bears nation will have to wait two weeks until playoff pairings are announced to know for certain what their fate is. However, Region 2 No. 2 West Alabama's 22-16 loss on the road against Abilene Christian might help Miles standings in the next poll. Miles also own a 41-6 victory against No. 9 Albany State (Ga.). They also fared well against No. 10 North Alabama, falling 31-30 in the Labor Day Golden Classic at Legion Field to start the season.
Saturday's attendance set a record as the announced crowd of 15,791 was the best figure for a Miles' home game this season.
Chambers takes SIAC scoring lead: Miles College kicker
Patton Chambers came into the game ranked second in the SIAC in scoring behind Tuskegee running back Derrick Washington by just a point. Despite Washington's 208-yard performance, he failed to reach the end zone. Chambers added five points, nailing a 29-yard field-goal and connecting on two PAT's to take the lead with 71 points on the season.
Tuskegee led the conference with 17 interceptions and had only allowed one rushing touchdown all season, coming into the game. However, Miles' high-powered offense had no problem going 70 yards on a seven-play drive to take an early 7-0 lead. They needed just 1:36 to reach pay dirt and capped it off on an 8-yard run by running back
Floyd Graves.
Trailing 21-14 with less than six minutes go, Miles looked as if it was all set to tie the game up. The Golden Bears had driven the ball from the 50-yard line to the Tuskegee 16. However, Miles running back
Floyd Graves fumbled an option pitch from quarterback
David Thomas and Golden Tigers linebacker Quavon Taylor recovered to thwart Miles' best chance at tying the game in the second half.
Miles linebacker
Reginald Virges led all defenders with 15 stops.
