COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College Tigers will close out the 2017 football season at home on Saturday against Kentucky State, as the Tigers will send off 12 seniors who have all had big a big part in the team's transformation season.

Benedict is 6-2 entering the final game, and a win Saturday would give the Tigers their best season since resuming football in 1995. The Tigers have had just two winning seasons in the 22-year modern era, going 6-5 in 2005 and then going 8-3 (.727) in 2009. Two years ago, in coach Mike White's first season at Benedict, the Tigers went 0-10. A win Saturday would put the Tigers at 7-2, a .778 winning percentage. Both of Benedict's losses were in overtime, including a heartbreaking double-overtime contest at Fort Valley State, which will be playing in the SIAC championship game next week.

But the Tigers still have to focus on getting that seventh win and will face a tough, hard-running Kentucky State team. And Benedict will have to avoid an emotional letdown after last week's huge win on the road at Albany State. White hopes to avoid a repeat of the last two seasons, when the Tigers finished the year with lackluster performances.

"I've kind of talked to them about that. I thought the last two years, the last game of the year we did not play well, the other team outplayed us, and we've got to guard against that," White said. "That was a pretty emotional win Saturday. Even though you try to keep everybody on an even keel, that was a big game for us Saturday. We'll just have to come out and talk about the way we prepare for this game and come out and do a good job Saturday."

A suffocating defense was the trademark of Mike White's championship teams at Albany State, and he has brought that philosophy with him to Benedict. Entering Saturday's game, the Tigers rank as one of the nation's top defenses. Benedict ranks eighth in NCAA Division II and first in the SIAC in total defense, allowing 271 yards of offense per game. Benedict ranks ninth in the nation and first in the SIAC in rushing defense, allowing just 83.2 yards per game. Benedict ranks 20th in the nation and first in the SIAC in scoring defense, allowing just 17.4 points per game. Benedict ranks third in the nation and second in the SIAC in tackles for loss (10.5 per game), and sixth in the nation and second in the SIAC in sacks per game (3.63).

That defense will be called upon against the Thorobreds. Kentucky State averages over 150 yards rushing per game and has one of the top running backs in the SIAC in sophomore running back Brett Sylve. He enters the game with 909 yards rushing, 91 yards shy of eclipsing the 1,000-yard benchmark. Benedict has allowed just one running back to go for more than 100 yards this season, as Central State's Terrais Saffold ran for 156 yards against the Tigers. The last three weeks, Benedict has allowed just 114 running yards combined by all three teams.

"Kentucky State is similar to last year's team. They can really run the ball," White said. "Defensively, that is what we have to do is stop them from running. They've got a very good running game and an athletic quarterback. They put 309 yards rushing on us last year and we'll see some of the similar plays. We'll have to do a good job there. Offensively, it is about us just taking care of the football and being able to run the ball against them. I think that's going to be the two keys to the game."

The Tigers will recognize 12 senior football players: Quarterback Mason Duckett; linebacker Reubyn Walker; defensive back Edward Kirkland; running back Zachary Brisbane; kicker/punter Tory Mimbs; defensive back Traequan Shaw; offensive lineman Taukarri Hilton; tight end Tyler McAllister; wide receiver/long snapper John Gourdin; wide receiver Okechi Ntiasagwe; defensive lineman Kenneth Gunter and defensive lineman Aaryn Guy. White said this senior class is very special because they have been the leaders in the program's turnaround.

"This is a special group for me," White said. "They were here a couple of years ago when we didn't win any games, and to see them fight through and stay with exactly what we were trying to get accomplished, those guys paid huge dues.

"I think they've set a legacy here, this senior class. We took a huge step forward, and we owe it to this senior class. We wouldn't be as good as we are defensively without the seniors we have now."