The Albany State Golden Rams head to Jacksonville, FL to take on the Tigers of Edward Waters.
Albany State (4-1, 2-0) enters the contest off a 20-3 home win over Miles College. The win not only marked their third consecutive win of the season , but also ASU’s third straight win over Miles, outscoring the Golden Bears 82-6 over that span. While their offense was rather mundane against Miles, racking I’m just 225 yards of total production, the Albany State defense once again showed up front and center, with Stephan Pierre leading the way with 15 tackles, 1.5 TFL and half a sack. Pierre, the reigning SIAC Player of the Year, DPOY, and MVP is the centerpiece of a defensive unit that ranks second in the SIAC in scoring defense at 7.2 ppg and has not allowed a touchdown to a conference opponent since October 30 of last year against Morehouse.
Edward Waters (1-4, 1-3) got their first win of the season last week, a 49-20 thumping of Morehouse. Team-leading rusher Tyler King turned in his best performance of the season against the Maroon Tigers, running for 96 years and three scores on just 9 attempts. Tennessee State graduate transfer quarterback David Johnson also had himself a game against Morehouse, posting season highs in completion percentage (85.7) , passing yards (211) and touchdowns (3).
Why Edward Waters can win:
The Tigers must force turnovers, of which the most likely avenue would through the air, as Albany State has yet to fumble through their first five games; all three of their turnovers have been via interceptions. Edward Waters will have to get pressure on Dionte Bonneau and/or confuse him with their coverages. However getting to Bonneau will not be easy, as the Ram offensive line has only surrendered one sack on the season. EWC must get short fields and take advantage of them, as embarking on long sustained drives against the Albany State defense will just be too tall an order for the Tiger offense. While David Johnson will most likely not complete nearly 86% of his passes, as he did against Morehouse, he will need to make accurate throws when called upon and he cannot turn the football over.
Why Albany State can win:
EWC allows 158.4 yards of rushing per game and the Albany State run game, which leads the SIAC with 197.4 yards per game on the ground, will put them to the test. Marcuis Fulks will, continue to break out his funk and put up his third 100-yard game of the season. Dionte Bonneau, free from the worry of an Edward Waters pass rush will be free to make throws of his choosing against an Edward Waters defense that allowed ten touchdown passes on the season. Tyler King had his best game against the eleven turn styles masquerading as the Morehouse defense but he will not be running nearly as free against an Albany State defense that has not allowed a 100-yard rusher since Mississippi College’s Marcus Williams in the season opener.
Prediction:
Edward Waters: 6 Albany State: 28
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