COLUMBIA, S.C. – During the 1940s, 50s and 60s, the Benedict vs. Allen football game was always a highlight of the season for both teams. The rivalry was intense. But both teams shut down their football programs in the 1960s, and the rivalry was transferred to basketball for many years.

Fast forward to 2021, when the two next-door neighbors met on the football field for the first time in 55 years. Benedict won that game easily, and then closed out last season's perfect regular season with another lopsided win over the Yellow Jackets.

But when the Tigers and Yellow Jackets meet on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium, the rivalry will take on renewed significance, as the sixth-ranked Tigers aim for a second-straight undefeated regular season, while the Yellow Jackets are the surprise team of the SIAC this season and hoping to make a major statement with the upset.
 
Tickets are available at benedicttickets.com for the South Carolina HBCU Classic contest, and will also be available at the gate. The game will be available to watch on Black College Sports Network. Live stats will be available here.
 
The contest will match Benedict's dominant defense against the high-octane offense of Allen. The Tigers continue to lead the NCAA in total defense, allowing teams just 198.4 yards per game; scoring defense (8.2 points per game), and passing yards allowed (116.2 yards per game). The Tigers possess a dominant defensive line that ranks second in tackles for loss and third in sacks per game to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and a talented secondary that has picked off 13 passes, including returning three back for touchdowns.
 
Allen comes into the contest with a 6-2 overall record (the 49-0 win over a Columbus State club team does not count towards NCAA competition), and 5-2 in the SIAC. Yellow Jackets sophomore quarterback David Wright leads the SIAC and is third in the nation in passing yards per game (349.9) and is fourth in the nation in total passing yards (2,799). He has thrown for 18 touchdowns, but also thrown 14 interceptions. He has a pair of talented receivers in Deyandre Ruffin and Armone Harris.
 
While Benedict's defense gets most of the spotlight, the Tigers also possess a high-scoring offense. Benedict ranks 13^th in the nation, averaging 40.9 points per game, while averaging more than 410 yards of offense per game.
 
Allen's defense is allowing 363 yards per game and 28.1 points per game. They rank near the bottom (151^st out of 161 teams) in passing yards allowed, giving up 253.3 yards per game through the air. The Yellow Jackets have also committed 22 turnovers, which ranks 146^th in the nation.

This is also Senior Day for the Tigers. Benedict will honor 15 seniors at halftime.