Box Score
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Benedict College Tigers rallied from a 14-10 halftime deficit and defeated the Virginia State Trojans 30-14 in the annual New York Urban League Classic on Saturday at MetLife Stadium in front of a crowd of more than 25,000 fans.

The Tigers improved to 2-0 on the young season, winning back-to-back games for the first time since 2010, and are 2-0 to start the season for the first time since 2000.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Marcus Graham was named MVP of the Classic, as he completed 19-of-27 passes for 211 yards and three touchdowns. He also had 51 yards rushing on 15 carries. After throwing an interception in the end zone and fumbling the ball in the first half, Graham guided the Tigers to three second-half scores.

The Benedict defense held Virginia State scoreless in the second half. Benedict allowed the Trojans 135 yards of total offense for the game, including just 14 yards in the fourth quarter. Benedict held the ball for 13 minutes, while Virginia State had the ball for just two minutes in the final quarter.

Virginia State drops to 1-1 on the season. Virginia State running back Jordan Anderson, who rushed for 182 yards in the Trojans' season-opening win, was held to minus two yards on six carries against the Tigers. Virginia State finished with 62 yards on the ground on 23 carries.

"I feel great for these players," Benedict head coach James Woody said. "This team has been through a lot over the last couple of years. I'm just glad they're getting the opportunity to win a couple of football games."

The key for the win was the strong second-half play. The Trojans capitalized on a couple of Benedict miscues in the first half. After Graham fumbled the ball, Virginia State went 36 yards on five plays to score and take a 7-3 lead. Benedict came back on the next series and drove 69 yards on 11 plays, with Kendariss Brown scoring on a 17-yard pass from Graham to put the Tigers ahead 10-7. The lead was short-lived, however, as Virginia State's Sean Smith returned the ensuing kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown and a 14-10 VSU lead.

"We made a lot of mistakes on special teams and a lot of mistakes offensively. I thought the defense played exceptionally well today. We came out in the second half and made some adjustments. I'm real proud of coach (Sean) Anderson, the offensive coordinator, coach (Michael) Grant, coach Norm (Richards) as well as Chris Thomas, our grad assistant coach. They made a tremendous adjustment at halftime, as well as coach (Mike) Fanoga, our defensive coordinator."

With the Tigers shutting down the Trojans in the second half, Graham and the offense took over and added three touchdowns. Terrance Butler and James Peeterson hauled in a short touchdown pass each, while Tavion Wright put the game away with an 11-yard touchdown run with 2:18 left in the game. Wright finished with 74 yards on nine carries. Grant completed 9-of-12 passes in the second half.

Jazzmin Moss took the second-half opening kickoff back 37 yards and gave the Tigers good field position to start the second half. Graham connected with Brown for a 25-yards pickup, and later found Butler in the end zone to put the Tigers back on top 17-14.

"Marcus did a good job the second half," Woody said.

Benedict had a nice 69-yard drive that ate up more than seven minutes in the fourth quarter, with Graham throwing to Terrance Butler on fourth down from the 1 yard line. Benedict tried for a two-point conversion, but failed, making it 23-14. Virginia State threw three straight incomplete passes on its next series, giving the Tigers the ball with 6:28 left in the game. Benedict kept the drive alive on a fourth-and-five, with Graham throwing an 8-yard pass to Harlon Samuels. Tavion Wright ran from 11-yards out to score and make it 30-14. Wright finished the game with 74 yards on nine carries.

Benedict will face long-time rival South Carolina State in the Palmetto Capital City Classic next Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium.