FORT VALLEY, Ga. – The Benedict Tigers and Fort Valley State Wildcats meet Saturday afternoon in a battle of SIAC unbeatens.
 
The Tigers, 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the SIAC, travel to take on the Wildcats, 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the SIAC on their Homecoming Day. It will be a battle of two of the SIAC's top offenses and defenses, and an early statement game in the race for the top spot in the SIAC East Division. Kickoff is 2 p.m. and the game will be broadcast by ESPN+ (subscription required).
 
Benedict boasts the second-best offense in the SIAC, averaging 375.8 yards per game. Fort Valley State is close behind, averaging 371.5 yards per game. Benedict leads the conference in scoring, averaging 31 points per game, while FVSU is third at 25.8 points per game. Benedict's offense is led by quarterback Eric Phoenix, the reigning SIAC Offensive Player of the Week, who ranks second in the SIAC in passing efficiency. The Wildcats have one of the nation's top running backs in Emmanuel Wilson, who leads the SIAC and ranks eighth nationally at 135.5 yards per game.
 
Of the defensive side, both teams sport two of the stingiest defenses in the SIAC. Benedict leads the SIAC in total defense, allowing opponents 201.5 yards per game. The Wildcats are third in the league, giving up 276.2 yards per game. Benedict not only leads the SIAC but all of Division II in passing yards allowed, giving up a paltry 57.5 yards per game through the air. The Tigers also lead the SIAC in sacks, averaging 2.75 per game, led by Loobert Denelus, who leads the SIAC and is ranked seventh nationally at 1.25 sacks per game.
 
The Tigers will be looking to break a victory drought in Fort Valley. According to available records, Benedict has never beaten the Wildcats on their home field (0-9). The last time Benedict traveled to Fort Valley, the Wildcats prevailed 31-28 in double overtime in 2017.