COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College football team may be traveling 75 miles south to Augusta to play in the annual Augusta Capital City Classic game, but technically the contest is considered a home game for the Tigers.

But for at least one Tiger, it will be just like playing a home game.

Junior Martin Epps was a standout performer at Lucy Laney High Scool, where Saturday's contest against the Albany State Golden Rams will take place. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound safety is looking forward to returning to his hometown and former high school field.

“That's just a great feeling, being able to go back home around the people you know and love, and being able to get that same vibe that you got when you were in high school as a great player,” Epps said. “Going back home and showing what you've got. It's an awesome feeling. It really doesn't get better than that.”

Epps was picked by the SIAC football coaches to the preseason All-Conference second team. This season, Epps has been a consistent leader on defense, topping the Tigers with 67 tackles so far, more than double the next closest teammate. He's also had one interception, one fumble recovery and broken up four passes. Despite those impressive statistics, both Epps and Benedict head football coach James Woody feel they could be better.

“I feel there's a whole lot I can work on,” Epps said. “I can definitely help the team out more and help us have a better season. We just need to do a little harder to make everything come together.”

Woody said Epps started slow but has been improving each week.

“He's had a pretty average season. I don't think he's having the best season that I expected. But he's getting better week in and week out,” Woody said. “The last couple of weeks, he's played very well, so I'm expecting him to go in and finish up strong in front of his home crowd. I think you'll see a good football player make some plays on Saturday.”

Epps and the rest of the Tigers will have to be on the top of their game on Saturday against the Rams. Albany State started the season 1-3, but turned things around with a four-game winning streak. They are No. 10 in the first NCAA South Region football poll. The Rams have advanced to the NCAA Championships in seven of the last eight years and are the defending SIAC East Division champions.

“We expect a great game out of Albany. We've got our hands full,” Woody said. “We played those guys well in the second half last year. We're going to try and build on that. But they're a very good football team and we've got some momentum going with the big Homecoming win, so hopefully we can go in there and upset these guys.”

Benedict is coming off its first win of the season, a 39-26 victory over Morehouse. That first victory has fired up the team and the Tigers are looking to wrap up the season with a three-game winning streak.

“These kids are even more fired up, because they know now we've got to go in and try to win these last two games,” Woody said. “That's our goal to win these last two games and have something to build on going into recruiting and winter conditioning. Right now, our most important factor is we want to win these last two games. And the kids are excited about it.”

Epps said the win last week was a great feeling.

“It was the best feeling in the world,” Epps said. “Especially after going two seasons and coming this close to beating Morehouse. That was one of my number one goals, to beat Morehouse, and we got it accomplished. To send our seniors out with at least one good win at home, and Homecoming at that, and to give our alumni something to brag about. It was just a great feeling.”