Tuskegee wins SIAC title again

TUCKER, Ga. — After its second undefeated season in a row, Tuskegee University claimed its third consecutive SIAC title, the league announced Friday.

The Golden Tigers are now riding a 26-game winning streak and are virtually assured of a second HBCU National Championship in a row.

Tuskegee led the conference in nine of 33 statistical categories and ranked fifth in the NCAA in scoring offense at 39.1 points per game. They allowed just 18.3 points per game.

Leading that offensive charge was SIAC MVP and Offensive Player of the Year Jacary Atkinson, a former Valley standout. Atkinson is 10th in the nation in passing efficiency and led the SIAC in passing yards, touchdowns, completion percentage and was fourth in the conference in rushing yards.

The defense was led by Clifton Sanders and Jarvis DeVaughn.

Head coach Willie Slater has been nominated for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award. Since arriving at Tuskegee in 2006, Slater’s record stands at 32-2. He has now won three conference titles, two Pioneer Bowls, one HBCU National Championship and has twice been named the SIAC coach of the year.

The Golden Tigers had nine players named to the All-Conference team, including four on the first team.

Tuskegee will hit the field one more time this season, attempting to continue their winning streak in their annual Turkey Day Classic matchup with Alabama State at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery.