---
"title": "Benedict blew a 16-point lead. Then turned down game-tying FG — and still won anyway"
"description": "Malaqhi Jones scored the game-winning touchdown on an 8-yard pass from Charles “Tre” Simmons with no time left in regulation to secure a 31-28 win for Benedict College over Edward Waters on Thursday night. After an Edward Waters punt, the Tigers took over from their own 20-yard line with just 35 seconds left in the […]"
"date": "2024-09-20"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "HBCU Sports"
"url": "https://hbcusports.com/2024/09/20/benedict-blew-a-16-point-lead-then-turned-down-game-tying-fg-and-still-won-anyway/"
"categories":
  - "Football"
"tags":
  - "Benedict College"
---

# Benedict blew a 16-point lead. Then turned down game-tying FG — and still won anyway

Malaqhi Jones scored the game-winning touchdown on an 8-yard pass from Charles “Tre” Simmons with no time left in regulation to secure a 31-28 win for Benedict College over Edward Waters on Thursday night. After an Edward Waters punt, the Tigers took over from their own 20-yard line with just 35 seconds left in the game. Simmons threw a 19-yard pass to Shatarius Williams, then a 14-yard pass to Jalen Leary, before connecting with Jones for a 39-yard pass to the 8-yard line. Benedict had to spike the ball to stop the clock with four seconds left. Rather than attempt a field goal and tie the game, head coach Ron Dickerson Jr. made the decision to go for a touchdown and try to win.

> Benedict goes for the win and gets it on the final play of the game [pic.twitter.com/wDBVKRbsYn](https://t.co/wDBVKRbsYn)
>
> — CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) [September 20, 2024](https://twitter.com/cjzero/status/1836978370984268068?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

“I looked at those kids, and they told me, ‘Coach, you can count on me. We know you believe in us, and we believe in you.’ So I just went with it, and it worked out. That’s a group of young men that believed in each other, and great things happened.” Benedict, which led at one point 23-7 before eventually falling behind, improved to 1-2 in the season and 1-1 in the SIAC. Edward Waters falls to 1-3 overall and 1-1 in the SIAC. Jones finished the game with four receptions for 88 yards and caught three touchdowns.