For the third time in the past four seasons, the Benedict Tigers will compete for an SIAC championship after a 16-13 double-overtime win over Savannah State.
Amidst struggles in the passing game, throwing a season-high three interceptions, Benedict made up for it on the ground.
They finished with 201 rushing yards, led by Triston Morgan, who posted a game-high 94 yards on 18 attempts and a touchdown. Meanwhile, redshirt sophomore David Smith followed suit with 71 rushing yards on 18 attempts.
After fielding a short punt that was returned deep into Savannah State territory, Benedict put up the game’s first points on a three-yard touchdown pass from Darius Ocean to Malaqhi Jones.
The game would devolve into an ugly affair after this score, with both teams trading interceptions on their respective ensuing offensive drives.
Benedict had multiple opportunities to extend its lead but missed a trio of field goal attempts, including a 44-yard attempt that set up Savannah State’s first score of the contest in the fourth quarter.
On the first play from scrimmage after the missed field goal, Fabian Walker connected with TaDarius Vaughn on a 74-yard pass to put SSU in goal-to-go territory.
Joseph Hampton would punch it into the end zone on the next play to tie the game with 2:05 remaining, eventually sending the game to overtime.
After trading field goals in the first overtime period, the game would go to a second overtime.
Benedict would put the game away in the second overtime, scoring on a 25-yard touchdown run by Morgan after limiting Savannah State to a field goal.
Benedict will now look forward to the SIAC championship game, where they will face the Albany State Golden Rams.
This will serve as a rematch of their clash from two weeks ago, in which Albany State handed Benedict its first loss of the season, beating them 31-3.
The game will take place on Albany State’s home field, where they have not lost since September 2024 (seven consecutive home wins since that loss).
