The Clark Atlanta University Panthers out-gained Albany State, but couldn't overcome a rash of early turnovers as they fell to the Golden Rams 36-3 Saturday in Albany, Ga.

CAU (2-6, 1-3 SIAC, 1-2 SIAC East) had 304 yards of total offense and nearly matched Albany State (5-3, 4-0 SIAC, 2-0 SIAC East) in rushing Saturday as the Clark Atlanta defense only gave up 45 yards passing to ASU.

But the Panthers had three kicks blocked = two punts and a field goal – in the first quarter that led to ASU scores.  The first CAU punt was blocked and converted in an Albany State field goal four plays later.  Then second punt was blocked and recovered in the end zone for a safety to give Albany State a 5-0 lead.  And then a CAU field goal attempt was blocked and returned by Jaylin Boyd 90 yards for an ASU touchdown, giving them a 12-0 lead with 4:19 left in the first quarter.

Late in the first quarter, another CAU punt was blocked and recovered at the ASU 31.  Three plays later, Albany State added a field goal to go up 15-0 to start the second quarter.

After a CAU drive stalled, Clark Atlanta's Kevin Williams intercepted a Kelias Williams pass at the 5-yard line to halt an ASU drive deep in Panther territory midway through the second quarter.  But CAU's Charles Stafford was picked off on the first play of the next drive, with ASU's Aaron Davis returning it to the CAU 14.  Kelias Williams eventually ran a 3-yard touchdown to give ASU a 22-0 lead.

The Clark Atlanta offense picked things up on the next drive as they were buoyed by big runs from Roger Thomas and Stafford, along with a 33-yard Stafford-to-Josh Banks pass that took them deep into Golden State territory.  But that drive ended when ASU's Toryan Bell forced a Johnathan Sanders fumble. 

CAU got a Ty Woods field goal early in the third quarter to get on the board and make it 22-3 after a 13-play, 57-yard Clark Atlanta drive.

Later in the quarter, ASU converted another CAU turnover into a touchdown to end the third quarter to go up 29-3.   Albany State picked up another touchdown early in the fourth quarter to close out the scoring.

Stafford led CAU with 187 yards of total offense, passing for 140 yards and rushing for 47 yards.  Thomas, who entered the game as the SIAC's second-leading rusher, finished with 48 yards rushing.   Josh Banks had four receptions for 97 yards while Sanders finished with three receptions for 27 yards.

Kameron Rogers had a big day for the Clark Atlanta defense, making eight tackles, nabbing two sacks and getting four tackles for losses.  Ezekiel Edmonds also had eight tackles, had a sack, recovered a fumble and had two tackles for losses.  Tyrone Mixon had seven tackles, while Kenneth Morgan had six stops and a tackle for a loss. William Profit had five solo tackles and two tackles for losses.

Tracy Scott led ASU with 105 yards rushing and a touchdown.

The Panthers return home to Panther Stadium as they begin a two-game homestand to close out the 2018 season. Saturday, Oct. 27 CAU hosts Miles and then on Saturday, Nov. 3 they host Atlanta University Center rival Morehouse.  Both games kickoff at 2 p.m.