Tuskegee, AL — In front of nearly 2,500 fans at historic Abbott Memorial Stadium, the Allen University Yellow Jackets walked into Tuskegee territory fresh off a bye week — with sense of urgency.
From the opening kick, Allen looked like a reset, recharged, and refocused unit, delivering their most complete first quarter of the season. The offense and defense fed off each other snap after snap, controlling tempo, field position, and the line of scrimmage. AU dominated early with 7 first downs to Tuskegee's 1, pounding out 71 rushing yards in the opening frame as Da Vision — the Yellow Jacket offensive line — set the tone. They created lanes, delivered clean pockets, and gave Sophomore RB Fabian Duncan and Junior QB Jamir Dismukes the space to dictate the game on their terms.
Defensively, Allen came out suffocating. The Yellow Jackets gave up just one first down in the entire first quarter, closing windows, winning one-on-one battles, and eliminating cushion outside. They played assignment-sound football, rallying to the ball and refusing to break leverage. That mindset never faded — AU would go on to allow only six total points through the first three quarters of action.
The breakthrough came with 4:36 left in the first, when Duncan bruised in from one yard out to make it 7–0 AU. It would be the first of several milestones for the day, as Duncan finished with 31 carries, 118 yards, and 2 touchdowns, becoming the first 1,000-yard rusher in Allen University football history. A true program moment.
The second quarter brought more control, more balance, and more pressure on Tuskegee's defense. Dismukes found his rhythm and never let go, cashing in a 2-yard rushing score to push the lead to 14–0. The junior quarterback delivered one of the most efficient performances in the SIAC this season — a video-game stat line:
14-for-17, 210 yards, 1 passing TD, and a season-high 82.4% completion rate. 8 rushes, 71 yards, 1 rushing TD.
With Allen's offense stacking drives, his receiving corps delivered on cue. Marcus Fleming led the air attack with 4 catches for 92 yards, while Nanders Lawrence hauled in a 13-yard touchdown in the fourth to extend the lead to 28–6 and silence any thought of a Tuskegee rally.
On defense, the Jackets put on a clinic. Sophomore Defensive Back Ja'Mel Patterson led the team with 8 total tackles, while Sophomore Defensive Lineman Amarie Fleming (6 tackles, 1.5 sacks) and Sophomore Defensive Lineman Joseph Brooks (1.5 sacks) spearheaded a relentless pass rush that produced 6 total sacks and constant harassment in the backfield. In the secondary and second level, Allen swarmed — making impact plays that shut down drives and forced Tuskegee into uncomfortable downs all afternoon.
When the dust settled, Allen had outgained Tuskegee 394–277, dominated on the ground 184–73, and nearly doubled them in yards per play (6.91 to 4.78) — a statement win in all three phases.
But the most important part? This team didn't treat it like a finish line. They treated it like a beginning, looking like a re-focused team.
Fabian Duncan made history. The defense made a statement. The offense found its rhythm and identity. Yet the energy on the sideline — and in the locker room — said something bigger:
Celebrate but job not finished.
Allen University hits the road again next Saturday versus Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.
