October 28, 2017

ALBANY, GA- Benedict College improved to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in SIAC with a 17-12 win over Albany State University on Senior Day, Saturday afternoon at ASU Coliseum.

With their second loss in as many weeks, the Golden Rams are eliminated from contention for the SIAC Eastern Division crown.

The Tigers were pitching a 17-0 shutout before two fourth quarter touchdown receptions by ASU's Mike Green. Their first score came after a bad snap on a punt attempt, where Tigers' punter Tory Mimbs fell on the ball at the Benedict 21 yard line. One snap later Green hauled in a 21 yard TD reception from Kelias Williams with 10:25 left; the extra point missed its mark and the Golden Rams trailed 17-6.

Two possessions later, Green grabbed his second TD of the day again from 21 yards out, but the clock was an issue as the Rams' drive took 11 plays and almost three minutes. ASU's two point conversion failed and trailing by five with 50 seconds left, the Golden Rams lined up to attempt an onside kick. Though it appeared to be perfectly executed and was recovered at the ASU 46 by Green, the Golden Rams were flagged for illegal procedure. The next onside attempt was corralled by Benedict and the Tigers kneeled twice to secure the win.

Including his two scores, Green finished the day with 7 catches for 118 yards, his third 100+ receiving game of the season.

Benedict came into Saturday's contest sporting the SIAC's best scoring defense and held true to form by holding the Golden Rams to a season low 60 yards on the ground. For just the second time this season, the Rams, who lead the league in scoring, were held without a rushing TD and their 226 yards of offense was their second lowest output of 2017.

Defensively the Golden Rams held their opponent to just 236 yards, their second best performance of the year. However the Tigers played ball control, rushing 47 times while chewing clock with just over 37 minutes of possession in the game. Benedict also converted several crucial first downs, finishing the day 7-15 on third down.

Each of the Tigers' scoring drives were significant as they went for 70+ yards. Their first touchdown came after a 75 yard drive, with 17 seconds left in the first quarter. BC's ensuing drive began at their own 2 yard line and went the length of the field over nearly nine minutes (5:15 in the 2^nd quarter) and their final score, a 34 yard Mimbs' field goal came on the back end of an 13 play, 72 yard drive (1:22 left in the 3^rd).

Albany State (5-4, SIAC 3-2) will close out the 2017 season next weekend at the 28^th Annual Fountain City Classic on Saturday, November 4^th against Fort Valley State in Columbus, GA. Visit www.asugoldenrams.com for more information and follow us on Twitter @ASUGoldenRams.