Early on it appeared that this matchup was on the way to mirroring their meeting earlier in the season in which Albany Star came away with a dominant 31-3 win. However Benedict battled back in the second half to make things interesting but ultimately the Golden Rams managed to hang on for a 22-16 win.
Albany State took the opening kickoff and marched 84 yards in 10 plays, getting in the end zone on Tiant Wyche’s 1-yard run to take an early 7-0 lead.
The Golden Rams’ defense forced Benedict running back Triston Morgan to cough up the football, which was recovered by Derrick Drayton. However, Albany State’s offense was unable to capitalize on the turnover and was forced to punt. The punt was blocked and then recovered by Issiah Brown in the endzone to tie the game at 7 at the 6:17 mark of the opening period.
Albany State quarterback Isaiah Knowles connected with Corey Peterson on a 60-yard catch and run down to the Benedict 9-yard line.
Two plays later Knowles found his way to paydirt from 5 yards to put the Golden Rams up 14-7. A 34-yard Kyle Wright field goal put Albany State up 17-7 at the half.
Although it seemed that Albany State was in control of the game, in the second half Benedict was able to bring the Golden Rams’ offensive attack to a screeching halt. The Tigers held Albany State to a mere three first downs, and just 14 rushing yards in the game’s final 30 minutes. Early in the third Darius Ocean connected with Troy Hillman on a 7-yard touchdown pass. However, the ensuing PAT was blocked and returned by Tyrell Gainey for a 2-point conversion for the Golden Rams to make the score 19-13 instead of pulling the Tigers to within a field goal.
Kyle Wright’s second field goal of the day, this one 24 yards, seemed to give the Golden Rams some breathing room at 22-13. However, Benedict responded with a 27-yard field goal off the foot of Logan Karwacki that brought the score to 22-16, keeping the pressure on Albany State.
Albany State was quickly forced to punt on the subsequent possession giving the football back to Benedict’s offense. The Tigers made it to the ASU 26-yard line but the Golden Rams’ defense kept Benedict out of the end zone, preserving the win and giving Albany State its 16th SIAC championship.
Isaiah Knowles completed 13 of 21 passes for 182 yards. Corey Petty led all Golden Rams pass catchers with 71 yards on 3 receptions; Tiant Wyche ran for 75 yards and a score on 16 carries.
In a valiant, but losing effort, Benedict quarterback Darius Ocean connected on 12/26 passing for 174 yards, 1 touchdown, and an interception.
Up next for Albany State ( and possibly Benedict) is who they will face in the upcoming Division II Playoffs. The matchups will be revealed Sunday afternoon.
