Benedict College Dominates SIAC Championship, Eyes NCAA Division II Playoffs
Atlanta, GA - November 13, 2023
In a highly anticipated showdown at the SIAC Championship game, Benedict College showcased its dominance, living up to its heavy-favorite status with a resounding 47-10 victory over Albany State. Benedict entered the contest with an unblemished 11-0 record, and their performance in Atlanta left no doubt that they were deserving champions.
The opening quarter saw Albany State successfully hold pace with Benedict, limiting the Tigers to just three points. However, the second quarter proved to be a turning point as Benedict's offense ignited with a couple of explosive plays. Aeneas Dennis, the maestro under center, connected with Caden High for a 28-yard touchdown, setting the tone for the game and propelling Benedict to a 10-0 lead.
Dennis continued to showcase his prowess in the second quarter, orchestrating a 55-yard touchdown pass to Reginald Harden, extending Benedict's lead to 17-0 after a successful extra point. Albany State managed to get on the board with a field goal just before halftime, making it a 17-3 game.
As the teams returned for the third quarter, it was the Benedict defense that made a statement. Jayden Broughton executed a strip sack on Albany State's quarterback, Jhaydon Sullivan, with Loobert Denelus recovering the ball in the end zone for a defensive touchdown, expanding Benedict's lead to 23-3.
Dennis continued to demonstrate his dual-threat abilities in the third quarter, adding a 72-yard rushing touchdown to Benedict's tally, pushing the lead to 30-3. Albany State responded with a scoring drive, courtesy of Dionte Bonneau's five-yard touchdown run, narrowing the gap to 30-10.
However, Benedict's defense remained resolute, preventing any further points from Albany State. The Tigers sealed the victory with a field goal and two additional touchdowns in the fourth quarter, culminating in a commanding 47-10 final score.
With this victory, Benedict College completes the regular season with a perfect 11-0 record and secures back-to-back SIAC Championships. The Tigers are now poised to enter the NCAA Division II playoffs as a No. 1 seed in their region, marking their second consecutive playoff appearance. It's worth noting that Benedict faced a similar scenario last season but fell short against Wingate after an opening-round bye.
As Benedict sets its sights on the NCAA Division II playoffs, the team's stellar performance in the SIAC Championship has established them as formidable contenders, leaving fans eager to see how far the Tigers can go on their quest for championship glory.
