Football 10/21/2026 3:30:00 PM Chris Myers

No. 23 Benedict and ASU Set for 4th Meeting in a Year Saturday

ALBANY, Ga. – It will be another battle of the two best Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football programs in the last five years. Albany State has its sights set on making if four-straight victories in less than a calendar year against Benedict College in a key league match up this weekend.
     ASU entertains a high-flying Benedict program. The Golden Rams and Tigers kick off the action at 1 p.m. It can be seen on ESPN+ and heard on the ASU Radio Network on WZBN 105.5 FM.

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Benedict College at Albany State
Breast Cancer Awareness & Senior Day
Game Information
Saturday, Oct. 24
1 p.m. - ASU Coliseum

Tickets
Live Stats
ESPN+
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Game Program

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  Breast Cancer Awareness & Ram Senior Day
      In the final home game on the Albany campus for 2026, the Golden Ram faithful will be celebrating two occasions – both Breast Cancer Awareness and 'Senior Day.'
     ASU will be honoring Breast Cancer survivors as part of the annual 'pink game' on the campus.
    Playing in their final home game, the Rams will have 15 seniors being honored in the pregame. On the ASU offense, there are 8 seniors of wide receivers Cadrece Mobley and Derrick Timmons, running backs Sincere Rodriguez, Brayson Seaborne and Bryce Council, tight end Omarion Dupree and offensive linemen De'Shan Davis and Ty'Orice Brown. For the defense, ASU has seven on that side of the ball in defensive linemen Derrick Drayon, D'Avary Weeks, Kumasi Washington and Kyle Williams, and defensive backs Cameron Watts, Devontae James and Rontavion Scott.

SIAC Season Week #8
Benedict College (6-1/4-1 SIAC) vs. ASU (3-4/3-2 SIAC)
     It will be part IV of the series played since last October 25. It will also be the fourth in a row to be played on the blue turf of the ASU Coliseum.
     The Golden Rams rallied but could not hold the late lead on the road last weekend as they fell in a tight finish, 17-14, to the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee. after a rocky start to the year in losses to FCS Florida A&M (20-7) and defending CIAA champion Johnson C. Smith (27-7). After a tough start to the year in losses to FCS Florida A&M (20-7) and defending CIAA champion Johnson C. Smith (27-7), ASU has won 3 of its last five contests (wins over both Savannah State (49-17) and Allen (32-28) before splitting home contests to Kentucky State (24-16) and Lane College (51-0).
     The Tigers try to continue their solid 2026 play. Benedict College stands three points away from being undefeated with a 20-17 loss at Tuskegee in its fourth game being the lone blemish. Benedict won the battle of two "Tiger teams" last week with a fast start in a 45-24 win over then SIAC-leading Edward Waters. Benedict started the year with wins over Johnson C. Smith (32-10), Shorter (24-20) and Fort Valley State (34-33 OT) and two more victories after the loss versus Clark Atlanta (31-3) and Allen (37-24).

    Important Match up in SIAC Ranks
     ASU and Benedict have one of the two biggest match ups in the SIAC ranks this weekend. The other top battle is when Central State travels to Miles College.
     Albany State can keep its outside hopes of another trip to the SIAC Championship alive with a win this Saturday. ASU is tied at 3-2 with both Miles and Tuskegee in fifth with all three needing wins to stay in the mix.
     Benedict can strengthen its case for its Championship spot. The Tigers are a half-game back of the Thorobreds of Kentucky State, 5-1 to 4-1. Benedict also holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over Edward Waters, which is also 4-1.
     Central State is the third 4-1 team tied for second.
     In the other three games having an impact on the standings, Kentucky State hosts Savannah State, Tuskegee travels to Allen and Clark Atlanta goes to Edward Waters.

Five-Year ASU/Benedict Similarities
     The two SIAC top football programs over the last five years – ASU and Benedict – have won a combined 89 games with a .718 win percentage and an even higher success rate at 66-18 (.786) within the SIAC. The two have combined for four of five SIAC Championships with ASC winning 2021 and 2025 and Benedict in 2022 and 2023.
     Heading into 2026, both teams were 40-15 overall in five seasons and only the Tigers had a losing season (4-6) in 2024 with the Rams worst year at 6-5 in 2023.
     The two rivals finished a combined 22-5 and 15-1 in the league games a year ago. ASU went 12-2 and Benedict at 10-3 with all three losses to ASU.
     Benedict recorded three double-digit seasons and ASU two 9-plus win campaigns.

26th Meeting between Rams & Tigers
     For the fourth time in exactly a calendar year, Benedict College travels to Albany for its series with ASU. The two top SIAC programs from last year played in the regular season, SIAC Championship and NCAA DII Region 2 Semifinal all at the ASU Coliseum.
     The Golden Rams prevailed in each of those three meetings from last fall with each getting closer. The point margin went from 28 (31-3) to 6 (22-16) to 2 (14-12) in the games.
     Overall, ASU has won 20 of the 25 meetings between the two league foes. Before last year's three contests, Benedict won the 2023 game in the SIAC Championship played in Atlanta by a 47-10 final. The Tigers also claimed the 2022 series final play on Oct. 15 in Albany by a 24-20 tally.
     Prior to the 2022 meeting, ASU won 11 of the previous 12 dating back to 2009 with Benedict lone win in 2017.

Last Meeting – NCAA D2 Region 2 Semifinal (Nov. 29. 2025): Golden Rams Defeat Bendict College in Thrilling Second-Round Battle
Albany, Ga. — In a hard-fought defensive showdown between two familiar foes, the Albany State Golden Rams emerged victorious over Benedict College, earning a 14-12 win in the second round of the NCAA Division II Super Region II Playoffs. With the win, Albany State advances to the NCAA Quarterfinals for just the fourth time in program history, and for the first time in more than a decade.

The victory marks a historic milestone for the Golden Rams. Under Head Coach Quinn Gray, Albany State has now achieved 12 wins in a single season, setting a new program record and solidifying this year's team as one of the most successful in Albany State history.

Albany State wasted no time establishing dominance. With 9:19 remaining in the opening quarter, quarterback Isaiah Knowles connected with Jamill Williams, who was streaking downfield, for a 41-yard touchdown pass. This capped a quick four-play, 67-yard drive that put ASU ahead 7–0.

Benedict responded late in the quarter when their defense forced a short field. Zane Spires converted a 43-yard field goal, trimming the lead to 7–3 with just 11 seconds remaining. The Tigers capitalized again midway through the second quarter, converting another short drive into a 30-yard field goal, bringing the score to 7–6. From that point on, both defenses tightened their grip, forcing punts, collapsing pockets, and limiting explosive plays, allowing the Rams to maintain a narrow lead into halftime.

The third quarter featured a defensive standoff, with both teams trading field position and struggling to make significant gains. Knowles faced heavy pressure throughout the game, taking six sacks but continuing to deliver when his team needed him most.

The breakthrough came with 7:41 left in the fourth quarter. Starting from their own 11-yard line, the Golden Rams engineered one of their most impressive drives of the season—a remarkable 89-yard march over seven plays. Knowles finished the drive by keeping the ball himself, powering into the end zone on a 1-yard touchdown run. Kyle Wright added the extra point, extending the lead to 14–6.
Benedict refused to go quietly. The Tigers responded with a 70-yard drive and found the end zone on a 9-yard run by David Smith, cutting ASU's lead to 14–12 with 3:49 remaining. The Tigers attempted a two-point conversion to tie the game, but the Golden Rams' defense held firm.

Albany State's defense delivered one of its most complete postseason efforts during the Gray era. Aydin Henningham led all tacklers with eight total stops, while Luke Rose and Andrew Ruffin added seven and five tackles, respectively, each recording key pass breakups. Daytin Baker, Tyquan Glenn, and Isaiah Morrison made critical plays to halt Benedict's drives, while the defensive front consistently applied pressure to keep the Tigers off balance. When the game was on the line, the defense forced a final stop that sealed the win and sent the home crowd into a celebration.

Under constant pressure, Isaiah Knowles delivered a composed and effective performance, completing 19 of 29 passes for 244 yards and one passing touchdown. He also contributed a crucial rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.

His top target was Jamill Williams, who had a standout postseason performance with six receptions for 112 yards and one touchdown, including a long of 41 yards. Wide receiver Omari Stewart added four catches for 60 yards, helping to stretch the field and keep drives alive.

ASU Last Game: Tuskegee Has Final Answer, Fends off ASU Second-Half Charge
     TUSKEGEE, Ala. – It was new venue for the Golden Rams players and Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium lived up to its 'tough place to play' reputation. After taking its first lead of the day with under six minutes left, Albany State enjoyed the advantage for only three minutes before Tuskegee University pulled in a tipped pass for the game-winning score, 17-14, in the heated Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football contest.

Down 10-0 at half, ASU used a pair of sustained drives, both of 80 yards, and worked its way to the lead. Quarterback Jeffery Davis pulled the ball back and ran off the right end for the first score with 22 seconds in the third, before Rodney McCrary broke the plane of the goal line with 5:37 left in the game from seven yards for a 14-10 lead.

The home Golden Tigers had the last turn of luck. After a long 28-yard pass put the team in the red zone, Tuskegee drew the wild card of a completed tip pass in the end zone, before ASU could get no further than its own 48-yard line and final trick play was stopped after the first lateral.

"We did a good job in the second half fighting back. We made some good adjustments at the half. Defensively, we shut them out until the last drive," noted ASU Head Coach David Bowser. "We started out a little slow (today) and we just have to continue to get better. I liked some things we did running the ball."

Tuskegee (3-4/3-2 SIAC) snapped a two-game losing streak to ASU (3-4/3-2 SIAC). It was the first series meeting between the teams in Tuskegee since a 34-6 ASU victory in 2010. The game result hurts ASU's chances of returning to the SIAC Championship game to defend its title and puts Tuskegee back in the top-four mix.

"We saw today Tuskegee was going to fight and it has one of the toughest atmospheres to play in college football and we saw it here today," added Bowser.

As close as the final score was, the offensive numbers mimicked the outcome. The Golden Tigers finished with a slight edge overall as it did on the scoreboard, 289-255 yards. The Golden Rams finished with the time of possession advantage, 30:06 to 29:50, but committed the game's lone turnover and was only 4 of 12 on third-down conversions.

Davis completed 17 of 30 pass attempts for 149 yards and rushed for the first Ram score from a yard out. His top target was Jayden Threatts with four catches for 34 yards and rushed for another 46 yards on seven carries. Duke Timmons added three receptions for 23 yards and Jaquan Graham and Malachi Eaford had two for 25 and 24 yards. Rodney McCrary ran for 40 yards on 12 totes including the 7-yard second touchdown.

On defense, ASU's Evan Wynn paced the defense with eight tackles, seven solo, and two tackles for loss. Rontavion Scott made five stops and Cameron Watts broke up two passes and had four tackles. Each of Jimmy Dawson, Chauncie Brown and Ricky McCrary chipped in four tackles. James Woods recorded ASU's lone sack of eight yards.

On a long 17-yard run into Golden Tiger territory, the Golden Rams' opening drive was stopped on a lost fumble on home 36-yard line. The ASU turnover set the tone for the opening half. The visiting defense did hold Tuskegee to a field goal attempt, which was missed, before the home team scored at the end of the first frame.

Benedict Last Game: Tigers Celebrate Homecoming With Dominating 45-24 Victory Over Edward Waters
(courtesy of Benedict Athletic Comms)
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict Tigers jumped out to a 28-0 first-half lead and went on to a dominating 45-24 Homecoming victory over 21^st-ranked Edward Waters on Saturday at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.

The Benedict defense stymied the SIAC's highest-scoring offense for most of the day, holding EWU to a season-low in points, not counting a one-sided 66-14 loss to Division I Jackson State. The Benedict Tigers were also able to score more points on EWU than any other team except for Jackson State.

Benedict improves to 6-1 overall and moves into a first-place tie in the SIAC at 4-1. Edward Waters falls to 5-2 overall and 4-1 in the SIAC.

The BC Tigers rushed for 238 yards, with David Smith leading the way with 106 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries. A'chean Durant added 70 yards, while Christopher Johnson bulldozed his way for 63 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.

Defensively, the Tigers harassed EWU quarterback Tavion Faulk by sacking him four times, and Ethan Nation intercepted a pass in the second quarter that led to a 32-yard touchdown run by Smith to put Benedict up 21-0. Benedict notched six pass breakups, and also held Edward Waters to 7-of-18 on third down conversions, and just 1-of-4 conversions on fourth down.

Benedict's special teams also had a big day. Chris Butler had a 76-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter that gave Benedict a 45-17 lead, and Kahmari Cook blocked a third quarter punt.

The BC Tigers opened the scoring in the first quarter on a six-yard run by Smith to wrap up a seven-play, 75-yard drive. On their next possession, Benedict drove 81 yards on 10 plays, with Johnson finishing things off with a 10-yard touchdown run.

A 32-yard touchdown run by Smith following Nation's interception gave Benedict a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter. Benedict's next series saw the Tigers get a 12-yard touchdown pass from Jett Peddy to Demetris McKelvey for a 28-0 lead.

Edward Waters finally got on the board with a 24-yard field goal late in the second quarter, but Benedict was able to get a 54-yard touchdown pass from Gianni Mascolino to Zackery Watkins with less than a minute left in the half to push the lead to 35-3 at halftime.

Edward Waters scored on a two-yard run on their first possession of the second half, while Benedict added a 24-yard field goal by Zane Spires to make it 38-10.

EWU scored on a 21-yard pass, but BC answered with Butler's 76-yard kickoff return for a 45-17 score. EWU added an 18-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to wrap up the scoring.

David Makonzo led the defense with 10 tackles, including a sack. Joshua Lee and Lamont Shamburger added seven tackles each.

This Week By the Numbers

In the SIAC ranks:
                              BC                         ASU
Offense                  4^th (31.4 ppg)          7^th (25.1 ppg)
Defense                  2^nd (19.1 ppg)          1^st (19.0 ppg)

Total Offense          4^th (409.1 ypg)         9^th (312.4 ypg)
Rushing                  1^st (210.1 ypg)         8^th (133.3 ypg)
Passing                  7^th (199.0 ypg)         9^th (179.1 ypg)

Total Defense         7^th (370.9 ypg)         1^st (284.7 ypg)
Rushing                  11^th (171.3 ypg)       1^st (87.6 ypg)
Passing                  3^rd (199.6 ypg)        2^nd (197.1 ypg)

Field Goals Made    1^st (11)
Punting                   1^st (39.5 yd/punt)

Sacks Allowed         1^st (8)

Defensive Sacks                                   3^rd (16)

Interceptions           1^st (10)                    12^th (3)

1^st Downs                2^nd (21.7/gm)
Opp. 1^st Downs                                     1^st (16.4/gm)

3^rd Down Con.         2^nd (45.7%)
Opp. 3^rd Down Con.                               1^st (24.1%)

Individually:
Rushing
David Smith (BC)                        2^nd (78.1 ypg)
Christopher Johnson (BC)            6^th (61.3 ypg)
Jayden Threatts (ASU)                7^th (60.9 ypg)
A'chean Durant (BC)                   11^th (50.4 ypg)
Kick Returns
Christ Butler (BC)                        2^nd (30.3 yd/ret)
Punt Returns
Cameron Watts (ASU)                 1^st (19.1 yd/ret)
Total Offense
Jett Peddy (BC)                           7^th (188.0 ypg)
Jeffery Davis (ASU)                     8^th (181.4 ypg)
Punting
Garrett Hyder (BC)                      2^nd (43.7 yd/punt)
Jonathan Rodriguez (ASU)          5^th (39.9 yd/punt)
Field Goals
Zane Spires (BC)                        1^st (8)

Rams Travel to Atlanta for Week 9
            The Golden Rams head to the capital city of the state when they take on the Panthers of Clark Atlanta next weekend. The kick-off is set for 2 p.m.

-GoldenRams-

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Players Mentioned

#29 Daytin Baker: DB; 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman

#6 Isaiah Knowles: QB; 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore

#80 Jamill Williams: WR; 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman

#98 Isaiah Morrison: DL; 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman

#99 Tyquan Glenn: DL; 6' 2"; Junior

#7 Aydin Henningham: LB; 6' 2"; Graduate Student

#35 Kyle Wright: K; 5' 9"; Senior

#53 Andrew Ruffin: LB; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#2 Luke Rose: DB; 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior

#18 Omari Stewart: WR; 5' 10"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#29 Daytin Baker
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman
: DB

#6 Isaiah Knowles
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore
: QB

#80 Jamill Williams
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman
: WR

#98 Isaiah Morrison
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman
: DL

#99 Tyquan Glenn
: 6' 2"; Junior
: DL

#7 Aydin Henningham
: 6' 2"; Graduate Student
: LB

#35 Kyle Wright
: 5' 9"; Senior
: K

#53 Andrew Ruffin
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: LB

#2 Luke Rose
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior
: DB

#18 Omari Stewart
: 5' 10"; Senior
: WR