Homecoming week means reunions, parties, concerts and friendship. For the Benedict College Tigers, this year's football team is hoping to give the alumni another reason to celebrate. The Tigers are searching for that elusive first victory, and a win over Morehouse on Saturday would certainly be a huge boost for the team and the fans.

“This is a big one for us,” said Benedict head football coach James Woody.

In order to get that victory, the Tigers will be faced with stopping one of the nation's top ground attacks in the Morehouse Maroon Tigers. Morehouse comes into Saturday's 2 p.m. contest leading the SIAC in rushing at 225 yards per game, a number that ranks 25th nationally.

Dual-threat quarterback Donnay Ragland leads the team in rushing yards, averaging 70.29 yards per game. A stable of running backs that include David Carter, last year's SIAC Offensive Player of the Year, Shelton Hamilton, Thomas Williams and Quendarius Hall have all had big days running the ball this season.

“They're going to try and run the ball down our throats,” Woody said.

Stopping the run has been something the Tigers have not had much success doing this season. Benedict is allowing an average of nearly 150 yards per game.

“We're going to try and force them to throw the football and do some things they don't like to do,” Woody said. “But they can do both, they can run and they can throw it. Our thing is we've got to stop the run, and we've got to be alert for play action. We've been putting emphasis on the run, putting people in the box and make some tackles, wrap up and make some plays.”

Offensively, the Tigers are hoping the large Homecoming crowd will help spark a team that is averaging just 12.4 points per game, which ranks 151^st out of 156 teams in Division II.

“Hopefully, we can protect the football, but the key, again, is we've got to get this offense on track and score some points,” Woody said. “I think if we can score some points early and give our defense some momentum and not let them fight to try and hold people the whole game, I think we'll be good to go."

Along with all the Homecoming festivities, Saturday also marks Senior Day, and the football team will recognize and honor nine seniors: Defensive back Simeon Kelley, quarterback Chris Thomas, wide receiver Mujahid Assad, wide receiver and kick returner Emmanuel Houston, linebacker Perez Nelson, wide receiver and tight end Jordan Kelly, offensive lineman and deep snapper Tremaine Germany-Byrd, defensive end Damien Blakney, and defensive end Eric Whitlock. They will be recognized prior to kickoff.

“All those guys are great. It's a special day for them,” Woody said. “All those guys that are seniors, they've done everything we've asked them to do and no problems with them since I've been here. I'm proud to see them go out with some happiness. Even though they're not going out as a winner, they're winning in the classroom, they're winning off the field, they're winning with character, they're winning with discipline. They're doing the things they need to do to be successful. They're winners in that area, and to me, they all are winners.”

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