Box Score AUGUSTA, Ga. – Albany State scored nine points in 12 seconds in the fourth quarter to pull away from a determined Benedict College team and take a 24-13 victory over the Tigers in the Augusta Capitol City Classic at Lucy Laney High School.

Benedict had cut the Albany State lead to 15-13 on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Marcus Graham, following a 24-yard pass from Graham to Kendariss Brown with 10:19 left in the third quarter. The score stayed that way into the fourth quarter when Brian Curry's punt was blocked by Albany State's Mark Bell, and the ball ricocheted out of the back of the end zone for a safety.

Benedict had to kick the ball back to Albany State following the safety, and Quintory Braswell returned the kick 70 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown. The Golden Rams tacked on the extra point for a 24-13 lead with 11:16 left to play in the game.

Benedict ran 14 plays after that, and managed just five yards.

“I thought the defense played extremely well,” said Benedict coach James Woody. “The offense, we didn't show up today.

“Late in the third and then the fourth quarter, they controlled the football on us. We couldn't make any drives, couldn't make any plays when it counted.”

Another key turning point in the game came in the closing seconds of the first half. Albany State was holding a 9-6 lead after a safety early in the second quarter when the Golden Rams got a 37-yard touchdown from Keenan Grissett to Tevin Isom with 37 seconds left in the first half. Benedict had the ball near midfield in the closing seconds when Graham's pass was intercepted by Marcavius Dudley, who returned it 51 yards for a touchdown with five seconds left in the first half, giving the Golden Rams a 15-6 lead at the half. Dudley was named the Albany State MVP.

The Tigers opened the scoring after Brandon Beech returned a fumble recovery 54 yards to the Albany State 10-yard line. On the next play, Christopher Johnson ran in from 10-yards out. The PAT failed, giving the Tigers an early 6-0 lead.

A holding penalty by the Tigers in their own end zone gave Albany its first safety on the day, making it 6-2 with 4:07 left in the first half.

The Tigers struggled offensively, gaining 147 yards of total offense. Graham completed 9-of-26 passes for 107 yards and had one interception. The Tigers rushed for 40 yards.

The Golden Rams had 301 yards of offense, including 200 yards on the ground. Nathan Hoyte had 142 yards rushing on 28 carries.

Charles Powell led the Benedict defense with 11 total tackles, one sack and a forced fumble. He was named the MVP for Benedict.

Benedict drops to 1-8 overall and 1-5 in the SIAC. Albany State improves to 6-3 overall and 5-1 in the SIAC. Albany State faces Fort Valley State in a showdown for the SIAC East Division title.

The Tigers travel to face Lane next week in their final game of the season.

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