Livingston, Ala.---A late fourth quarter 1-yard rushing touchdown by freshman running back Montavious Taylor put the Clark Atlanta University Panthers on the board for their lone score as they fell 42-6 in the season opener on the road against the University of West Alabama at Tiger Stadium Saturday.

The Tigers scored two touchdowns on their first two possessions that gave them a 14-0 advantage early in the first quarter. Before the end of the period they added a defensive score after a fumble recovery by DeQuan Shockley on the Panthers' 20-yard line that increased their lead by three touchdowns. After a 15-yard second quarter passing touchdown, West Alabama (1-0) held a commanding 28-0 lead at the half. While the Panthers struggled offensively with only 77 total first half yards, West Alabama recorded 144 passing yards and 120 on the ground.

Clark Atlanta(0-1) managed only 20 yards on offense in the third quarter, and the Tigers extended their lead to 42-0 at the end of the period. Taylor's fourth quarter rushing touchdown came on a 14 play, 75-yard drive at the 6:45 mark. West Alabama's Juan Hartsfield blocked CAU's extra point attempt.

"Today showed us that we have a lot of work to do and it begins with the basics of football: blocking and tackling. We have to improve in those areas in order to grow," said CAU Head Coach Kevin Weston.

Offensively, the Panthers produced 153 total yards most of which were on the ground led by running back Bradley Battles with a team-high 50 rushing yards on 19 carries while West Alabama recorded 489. Both teams were perfect in the red zone and executed five third down conversions: Clark Atlanta (5-of-16) and West Alabama (5-of-11).

Linebacker Rashad Bryant led the Panthers defensively with a game-high 13 tackles including eight solo tackles followed by Bre'nard Williams and Larelle Muldrow with nine each. CAU quarterback Trenton Earl finished 3-for-5 with 29 passing yards.

Next, the Panthers will host conference foe Stillman College in their HOME opener Saturday, Sept. 14^th, in a 6 p.m., match-up at Panther Stadium.
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