The Benedict Tigers denied the Kentucky State Thorobreds their first SIAC championship in a spectacular comeback win.
Benedict was on life support in the second half, trailing 38-14 in the third quarter. It all started at the top of the second quarter, when the Kentucky State defense began collecting takeaways.
Kentucky State Strikes First
First, the Thorobreds hauled in an interception aided by defensive pressure on the opposing quarterback.
They capitalized on the turnover immediately, scoring on a 60-yard strike from Juan Gainous to Jaden Hale to even the score at 14.
Then, Thorobreds wasted no time getting their second takeaway, forcing a fumble on a quick pitch to the outside.
They got the ball inside the red zone, scoring three plays later on a Triston Thomas three-yard scamper to take the lead.
Kentucky State went into the half with a 24-14 lead after connecting on a 35-yard field goal.
After a strong defensive performance in the second quarter, the special teams unit got going to begin the third.
Aiyon Carter shot out of a cannon with a 44-yard kick return to give the Thorobreds excellent field position. Consequently, this was compounded by a facemask penalty on Benedict.
A 22-yard completion to Hale put them in the redzone and Triston Thomas did the rest, taking a 31-14 lead.
Finally, an interception by Lawrence McConnell set up another touchdown to make the score 38-14.
Benedict Fights Back
However, the Tigers would not go away quietly, getting an extended drive from the offense to give their defense a break.
A four-minute drive was capped by a four-yard touchdown run by A’chean Durant to make the score 38-21.
Still needing a spark, Benedict got everything and more from its defense and special teams units.
It started with the defense forcing an interception to set up a field goal. Then, after forcing a punt on the next possession, they blocked it and recovered it for a touchdown to make it a one-score game.
The Tigers’ scoring run ended with another interception, followed by a 13-yard touchdown pass to tie the game.
Kentucky State responded well with an 82-yard touchdown run by Tristan Thomas to take the lead back. Benedict answered with an extended touchdown drive to tie the game.
Kentucky State had one last chance to win the game in regulation, but a significant gaffe dashed its hopes.
With 1:09 remaining in the game, Benedict was set to get the ball back after forcing a Kentucky State punt.
However, the returner muffed the punt and Kentucky State recovered to get the ball back in immediate field goal range inside the red zone.
An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after an eight-yard run put Kentucky State inside the five-yard line with 56 seconds left.
After being stuffed on a run, the Thorobreds stood around, seemingly running down the clock to set up a game-winning field goal.
That is until the clock ran down to 25 seconds and head coach Felton Huggins motioned for the field goal unit.
They did not enter the field on time, leading to a delay-of-game penalty. This ruling required a 10-second runoff, officially ending regulation and sending the game to overtime.
Benedict is Back on Top
The Tigers wasted no time scoring in overtime, with a 25-yard connection from Glenn Forman to Demetris McKelvey putting them in front.
The Thorobreds’ drive started promisingly, with Benedict being called for a pass interference on a shot to the end zone.
Although they could not capitalize, the Tigers’ defense broke up two of their next four pass attempts, and the final one sailed.
This marks Benedict’s third SIAC championship in the past five seasons, after having none before 2022.
It also clinched their fourth 10-win season in the past five years after previously having none.
Benedict will now get an automatic bid into the Division II playoffs, likely as the number-one seed in Super Region II.
Despite the loss, Kentucky State has a chance to enter the DII playoffs as an at-large bid.
The Thorobreds are the number-two team in the region as of the most recent rankings. This would be their second postseason selection in school history.
