Morehouse College Defeated Tuskegee In 90th Classic
Morehouse secured a 30-28 victory at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery to claim back-to-back wins in the historic rivalry.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Football
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Morehouse College defeated Tuskegee University 30-28 in the 90th Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic at the Cramton Bowl. The win marks the second consecutive year that Morehouse has emerged victorious in the rivalry game.
Why it matters
The annual meeting between these two institutions remains a significant cultural and athletic tradition. This latest matchup was played amidst the somber news of the passing of Ellison Clinton, who died on the morning of the game.
Ja'Kheal Rowser carried the ball 12 times for 138 rushing yards and two touchdowns to pace the Morehouse offense. Despite the win, Morehouse missed two field goal attempts, including a 59-yard effort by Lorcan Smith, and committed two turnovers.
The players
Ja'Kheal Rowser
He is a standout running back for Morehouse College who recorded two touchdowns in the 90th Classic.
Cai'leb Dias
He is a player for Tuskegee University who was penalized for roughing the passer during the game.
Ellison Clinton
He was an individual associated with the programs whose passing occurred on the morning of the game.
Lorcan Smith
He is a kicker for Morehouse College who missed a 59-yard field goal attempt during the event.
The details
Tuskegee maintained pressure throughout the contest, notably converting a fourth-and-20 play from their own 10-yard line late in the game. Morehouse benefited from a crucial roughing the passer penalty against Tuskegee's Cai'leb Dias that moved the ball to the 42-yard line.
Timeline
October 3, 2026: The 90th Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic occurred at the Cramton Bowl.
October 3, 2026: Ellison Clinton passed away in North Carolina on the morning of the game.
Season Trajectory
The victory solidifies Morehouse College's standing in the rivalry series as they secure back-to-back wins for the first time in this current cycle. This result forces a recalibration of the competitive balance between the two programs heading into the remainder of the season.
Morehouse secured the win by a margin of two points despite missing two field goals and losing the ball twice on turnovers. The game stayed competitive into the final minute, with Morehouse punting to Tuskegee with only 57 seconds remaining in the contest.
The takeaway
The game demonstrated the high-stakes nature of this historic rivalry where penalties and missed opportunities nearly shifted the outcome. Consistent offensive production from the backfield remains the primary driver for teams hoping to maintain a winning streak in this classic.
Further reading
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