title image via Albany State Athletics
A matchup that was seen as a heavyweight battle between the two titans of the SIAC to this point of the season, in Albany State and Benedict, turned out to be more like a Mike Tyson fight in terms of the anticipation and buildup for the game. The competitive portion of the game lasted longer than the anticipation and buildup. With Isaiah Knowles back at the controls of the Albany State offense the Golden Rams jumped up early, building a 24-0 lead at halftime on the way to cruising to a 31 to 3 win.
The first score came after Tristan Morgan forced a Benedict fumble which Al Childs recovered for ASU at the Benedict 30-yard line. The Golden Rams offense wasted little time taking advantage of the turnover when nose connected with Jamarion Davis on their first play from 30 yards out to give the Rams a 7 to nothing lead. The next Albany State score came in the second quarter when nose threw his second touchdown pass of the day a 20-yard scoring toss to Jamil Williams that put the Golden Rams up 14 to nothing. The Rams would go up 21-0 on Knowles’ third touchdown pass of the half, an 8-yard connection to Cory Petty with four minutes and 47 seconds left in the first half. The Golden Rams tacked on a field goal at the end of the quarter to go into the half ahead comfortably 24-0.
Albany State’s defense forced a Benedict turnover on Downs on the Tigers’ first possession of the second half and the Golden Rams offense took advantage, travelling 62 yards and 10 plays reaching the end zone on Tiant Wyche’s 10-yard scamper to put the Golden Rams up 31 to nothing at the 7:08 mark of the quarter. From that point on Albany State throttled things down, scoring no more points, with a late Benedict field goal saving them from the shutout.
Isaiah Knowles finished with 294 yards, three touchdowns, and 1 interception completing 22 of his 37 pass attempts. Jamie Williams caught five passes for 88 yards and a touchdown while Tia Washington led all Golden Rams ball carriers with 75 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.
It was a tough day at the office for Benedict signal caller Darrius Ocean, as the Rams’ defence harassed him into completing just 9 of his 31 passes for 154 yards and two interceptions.
Winners of five straight games, Albany State is 7-1, with their only defeat at the hands of Division I opponent Florida A&M. At 6-0 in conference play, the Golden Rams are perched atop the SIAC. Up next for Albany State is a meeting with Savannah State. The Tigers defeated the Golden Rams 28-26 in their last meeting, which took place on November 2, 2024 .
