The Albany State Golden Rams were ranked number 8 in the Division II Super Region Two playoff standings. As only the top seven in each of the four regions make the playoffs, the Rams could ill afford any missteps the rest of the season.
Benedict took the early lead, capping a 9-play, 75 yard drive with a Brandon Jordan 2-yard run; the extra point gave the Tigers a 7-0 lead. In the second quarter, the Tigers would use a 16-play, 98 yard drive that chewed nearly nine minutes off the clock that ended with a Phillip Brown 2 yard run, with the completed PAT, that gave Benedict a 14-0 lead. The third quarter would see Benedict would make use of another long drive (13 plays, 72 yards), but rather than a touchdown, this one was completed by a 34 yard field goal from kicked Tory Mimbs that built the Benedict advantage to 17-0.
The fourth quarter would see the Golden Rams try to get back in the game. Their first touchdown came following a bad snap on a Benedict punt attempt that left punter Tory Mimbs with no choice but to just fall on the ball at their own 21 yard line. On the next play Albany State would score their first point of the day on a 21 one touchdown connection from quarterback Kelias Williams to Mike Green. The extra point was no good, leaving the score 17-6. Green’s next touchdown came two possessions later, once again from 21-yards out. A failed two-point conversion left the score at 17-12 with 50 seconds left in the game. An onside kick that appeared to be recovered by Albany State was flagged for illegal procedure. The next attempt was recovered by Benedict. With no timeouts to stop the clock for Albany State, two kneel-downs from Benedict was all that was needed to wrap up the win.
Despite only accounting for 236 yards of offense, Benedict dominated time of possession, holding the football for 37:08. The vaunted Albany State rushing attack , which led the SIAC averaging 212.7 yards per game, was only able to muster 60 yards on 22 carries.
The loss for Albany State was a costly one, as not only eliminated the Golden Rams from contention for the SIAC Eastern Division crown but also most likely torpedoed their playoff hopes.
Benedict returns to action next week when they host Kentucky State. Albany State closes out their 2017 season next week in the Fountain City Classic in Columbus,GA against Fort Valley State.
