ATLANTA – For the last few weeks, the Benedict College Tigers have been up against some powerful running teams. This week, the Tiger defense will be put to the test against the top passing offense in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference when they travel to take on the Clark Atlanta Panthers.

"They're a very good offensive team, a very good passing team," Benedict head football coach Mike White said. "They've got behind the last two weeks and have been able to come back very easily. It's another tough, typical SIAC matchup."

GAMEDAY

Benedict College Tigers at Clark Atlanta Panthers, 2 p.m.

Radio: WLXC Kiss 103.1

Audio Stream: Kiss-1031.com

Video Stream: Clark Atlanta

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The Tigers, 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the SIAC, will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak. The Panthers, 4-2 overall and 2-2 in the SIAC, have been one of the surprise teams in the SIAC this season along with Benedict. Two weeks ago, Clark Atlanta scored 16 points in the fourth quarter to rally past Morehouse 37-36, winning the game on a 35-yard field goal on the final play of the game. Last week, the Panthers scored the final 20 points of the game to rally past Shorter 27-23 in a non-conference game.

Clark Atlanta leads the SIAC in total offense, averaging 375.2 yards per game, and passing offense, averaging 271.2 yards per game. Jonathan McCray, a transfer from Vanderbilt, is averaging 220.7 yards passing per game and has completed 86 of 156 attempts.

"We've got to try and make them one dimensional and see if we can play pass defense," White said. "They've got a very good quarterback, a tall kid who seems to do a good job of making his reads and throwing down the field. They're probably one of the most impressive passing teams we've seen."

Benedict ranks third in the SIAC in passing defense, and their nine interceptions is second-best in the conference. White said Benedict's young secondary, with two starting freshmen, will have to play well against the Panthers. Another key for Benedict will be for the defensive front to put pressure on the Clark Atlanta quarterback. Benedict is averaging nearly three sacks per game.

"That means you've got to communicate well. You can't blow any coverages because they'll make you pay for it," White said. "They've got the speed. They have several good receivers. With the young secondary we have, with two freshmen back there, they're going to have to play lights out back there to keep us straight and we'll have to do a good job pressuring them also."

The Tigers will look for another strong running game from George Myers Jr., who has surpassed the 200-yard rushing mark two of the last three weeks. Where the Tigers need to improve this week is being more productive inside the 20-yard line. Last week against Lane, Benedict had seven trips inside the red zone and came away with two touchdowns and two field goals in the one-point loss.

"We still have to run the ball. That's been the name of the game for us," White said. "I think we're concentrating on doing a better job when we get in the red zone and goal line area to come away with points and no penalties, no negative plays down there. That's the kind of football we have to play, a mistake-free game."