Albany State downs Morehouse in MetLife Stadium

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — Albany State transfer quarterback Isaiah Knowles threw three touchdown passes Saturday afternoon and the “Dirty Blue” defense sacked the Morehouse quarterback seven times to help the Golden Rams beat the Maroon Tigers 24-14 in the second annual HBCU Homecoming game at MetLife Stadium near New York City. MetLife Stadium is the home of the NFL’s New York Giants.

The win records ASU Head Coach Quinn Gray’s first win as a head coach with the Golden Rams and two of those quarterback sacks came from former Lee County star Anthony Harvey who is now a senior at Albany State.

Knowles, who transferred from the US Naval Academy last spring, threw a two-yard touchdown pass to senior Ralph Lovett to cap a 70-yard drive on their first possession of the game and then hit Rashad Jordan for a 58-yard touchdown pass on the next possession to put the Golden Rams up 14-0 in the first quarter.

The Golden Rams went up 17-0 when Eli Mashburn booted a 28-yard field goal but the Maroon Tigers scored on a 31-yard touchdown pass late in the half to make the score 17-7 heading into the break.

After a scoreless third quarter which saw Morehouse intercept two ASU passes, Morehouse closed the gap to 24-14 after a short drive that began in ASU territory.

Later in the fourth, Knowles again found Jordan open for a 13-yard touchdown pass to cap a 72-yard, 8-play drive and put the final score at 24-14.

In his first start of the season, Isaiah Knowles connected on 20 of 30 passes for 245 yards. Knowles also rushed for 47 yards on 10 attempts. Aljhanod Thomas led the Golden Rams in rushing with 53 yards on 17 carries. Rashad Jordan caught five passes for 112 yards with 2 touchdowns. Ralph Lovett pulled down six passes for 76 yards and a touchdown.

Randy Fillingame, a senior from Bainbridge, finished with eight tackles to lead the Golden Ram defense. Fillingame also had two tackles for a loss and a sack. Jacoby Heggs had an interception for the Golden Rams.

The game at MetLife Stadium capped a week-long celebration of HBCU Homecoming with many opportunities for the Albany State team to experience New York City and celebrate HBCU culture. Next Saturday, the Golden Rams will face Savannah State for another SIAC battle in Brunswick.

Reginald Christian/Albany State UniversityJoeWhitfield[email protected]