RED TAILS NOTES: A rare score opens Classic; former Julian star has big day; UWA kicker breaks scoring record

Tuskegee quarterback Bryson McGrew set a Red Tails Classic record by a Tuskegee quarterback with 83 yards rushing in Sunday’s game against West Alabama. (Tim Gayle)

Compiled by GRAHAM DUNN

A rare first-possession touchdown 

West Alabama took its first possession 80 yards in 13 plays to take an early lead in the 2026 Red Tails Classic on Sunday. 

Bray Jenkins scored on a 1-yard run with 5:50 remaining in the first period.

It was the third time a team scored on its first possession of the Red Tails Classic with all three being touchdowns.

The previous opening scores were by Fort Valley in 2022 on a Kelvin Durham run of 10 yards and again in 2023 on a 18-yard run, capping a 62-yard drive.

Tuskegee blocks kick for points

With 7:34 remaining in the game, UWA took a three-score lead on Luther Richardson’s 37-yard touchdown pass to Kaden Cupp. 

But the Golden Tigers blocked the extra point try with Tyranny McGowan knocking down the kick followed by Tus Johnson grabbing the loose ball and racing the length of the field to give Tuskegee two points.  

The West Alabama lead was cut to 11 points. 

After a UWA score, Tuskegee scored the final touchdown on a drive of 75 yards in just two plays to pull to within 10 points with just under six minutes left. But the 27-17 score would be the final, giving UWA the victory.

It was the defensive extra point scored in the Red Tails Classic. Later, on Tuskegee’s final touchdown, the drive culminated with a two-point conversion, also a first for the Classic.

Guyton becomes UWA’s all-time leading scorer among kickers

With his PAT following West Alabama’s final touchdown in the fourth quarter, placekicker Elijah Guyton became the school’s career scoring leader among kickers with 180 points.

The previous record was held by Mark Grant, set between 2012-15.

The All-American from Cullman entered the 2026 season already holding school records for the most career field goals (31) and the longest field goal (51 yards). Last season he was 11 of 12 on field goal attempts with the lone miss being blocked.

The NCAA Division II record for career field goals is 82, set by Jeff Glas of North Dakota between 2002-05.

Trips to Cramton Bowl uncommon for the Tigers

While Tuskegee has made numerous trips to Cramton Bowl, the Tigers of West Alabama had played in Montgomery just seven times dating back to 1953.

All seven games were against Troy (or Troy State is it was called prior to 2004).

Before Sunday, the program had recorded just one victory in the bowl coming in 1972, a 14-3 win over Troy State. That win ended a seven-game “jinx” at the bowl for then-Livingston State.

Big day for the former Julian QB

Former Percy Julian star Bryson McGrew set a Tuskegee record for rushing for a quarterback in the Red Tails Classic with 83 yards on Sunday. 

But breaking the record wasn’t too difficult.

The previous rushing record for a Tuskegee quarterback in the game was 11 yards by Bryson Williams in 2023. 

McGrew played for Julian between 2022-25. 

Prattville star part of group of former Bama players on Cochran staff

O.J. Howard was a prep superstar at nearby Autauga Academy (Prattville) from 2009-12 and was an All-American tight end for the Generals.

He along with few others with ties to the Alabama football program, are now part of the coaching staff at West Alabama.

Howard spent four years playing for Scott Cochran and then-head coach Nick Saban and was part of three SEC Championships and a national title in 2015, winning the MVP award in the win over Clemson.

Howard is one of four players or coaches with  Bama ties on Cochran’s staff,  who is in his second year at the helm. He is the tight ends coach and director of player development for the Tigers. Other former Bama players who are on the staff include former quarterback Blake Sims (wide receivers) and Thomas Fletcher, who is in charge of special teams.

Ronnie Clark was the running backs coach for Saban between 2014-18 at Alabama.

Former Tide running back Bo Scarbrough is also on the staff in charge of high school football relations.

Cochran was Alabama’s strength and conditioning coach for Saban between 2007 and 2019. He later joined former Alabama assistant coach Kirby Smart at Georgia in 2020 and remained with the Bulldogs for five years.

Cochran took the head coaching position at West Alabama last year.

In the Army now

In between the first and second quarters, the US Army Montgomery Recruiting Battalion read the oath of enlistment to seven recruits, officially committing them to the US Army. 

The Red Tails Classic honors the Tuskegee Airmen who fought for the US during World War II.