The Albany State Golden Rams are on top of the SIAC once again, taking down the Benedict Tigers 22-16 in the championship game.
This is Albany State’s first SIAC championship since 2021, extending its perfect record against Division II opponents to 10-0 this season (10-1 overall).
It also marks the Golden Rams’ second win over the Tigers this year, having beaten them 31-3 in their regular-season matchup on October 25.
Albany State defensive back Tyrell Gainey anchored the Golden Rams’ defense, producing an interception and a forced fumble.
SIAC Offensive Player of the Year Isaiah Knowles finished with 182 passing yards on 13-of-21 passing, adding a rushing touchdown.
Tiant Wyche contributed in the backfield with 75 rushing yards on 16 attempts and a touchdown.
Benedict was led by linebacker Ty’Metrius Patterson who tallied nine tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 1.0 tackles for loss. Israel Nwokocha followed with five tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 1.0 tackles for loss.
Quarterback Darius Ocean led the offense with 174 passing yards and a touchdown while receivers Troy Hillman and Charles Simmons combined for nine receptions for 115 yards.
𝐀𝐥𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐒𝐈𝐀𝐂 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬! 🏆#SIAC | #SIACFB pic.twitter.com/eOGCsbUqfI
— The SIAC (@TheSIAC) November 15, 2025
Albany State wasted no time putting the first points of the game on the board, with a 45-yard run by Tiant Wyche setting up a one-yard touchdown run on the first possession.
After Benedict forced ASU to punt on their next possession, the Tigers took advantage with Issiah Brown breaking through to block it and recover it in the end zone for a touchdown.
Ending the first quarter in a 7-7 tie, Albany State would take the lead back to begin the period, with Knowles eluding a pass rush and finding an open lane to run it in for the five-yard score.
This play was set up by a 60-yard pass to Corey Petty up the middle on a first-down play earlier in the drive.
The Albany State defense would do its part to help the team maintain the lead, limiting the Tigers’ offense to just 36 yards in the period, and the team went into halftime with a 17-7 lead.
It was in the third quarter that Benedict began to find a rhythm on offense, breaking through for a couple of big plays that gave them the best field position of the game.
In their second possession of the period, Ocean took advantage of a breakdown in the secondary to connect with Simmons on a 27-yard pass for the team’s only offensive touchdown of the game.
However, their extra-point attempt would be blocked, scooped up by Gainey, and returned for a two-point conversion, making the score 19-13 with Albany State leading.
After trading a pair of field goals in the fourth quarter, making the score 22-16 with 3:58 remaining, the Benedict offense got the ball back with 1:44 remaining and a chance to go ahead.
Despite facing multiple third downs on the final possession, Ocean found ways to keep the drive alive, making big plays in the face of adversity.
Taking the ball just outside the red zone, a last gasp for the Tigers went to no avail. They failed to complete a pass on their final four plays, turning the ball over to the Golden Rams to cement their victory.
Both teams will now await the NCAA’s official announcement of the Division II playoff field, set for Sunday at 6:00 p.m. ET on NCAA.com.
Entering this game, Albany State was ranked second in Super Region Two, while Benedict was ranked fourth.
Should Benedict be fielded in as an at-large selection, it would be the first time two SIAC teams make it to the Division II Playoffs in the same year since 2012.
