COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College Tigers and Allen University meet on Saturday night, as the two cross-street rivals meet in a battle between two teams hungry for a victory.
 
Kickoff from Allen University's home stadium, Westwood High School (180 Turkey Farm Road, Blythewood, SC 29016), is 7 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ (Subscription required). Live stats will be available here. Tickets are available here.
 
"Rivalry games are rivalry games. Let me tell you, I've played in some great ones – Arkansas-Texas, Ole Miss-LSU, Ole Miss-Mississippi State, the Egg Bowl," said head coach Ron Dickerson Jr., who will be coaching in his first Taylor Street Showdown. "Allen and Benedict is a rivalry game, and I understand that. It's so rivalry, that it's actually right across the street. It is 100 percent personal. But, we can't make it personal. We just have to do the little things and make it another game, but just know that the expectations on both sides are going to be high."
 
The Tigers enter the game 2-4 overall and 2-2 in the SIAC. Benedict has dropped its last two games and is looking to get back in the win column. Benedict will be looking to clean up some of the issues that have plagued them over the last two weeks, such as giving up big pass plays. The Tigers have given up three touchdowns of 70 yards or more in the last two games.
 
"We've just got to change some of the techniques we play on defense," Dickerson said. "We've just got to give them opportunities to be successful and let everything be in front of them and then rally and make the tackle, and play like we've been finishing the game for four quarters on defense."
 
Allen is 1-5 overall and 0-4 in the SIAC. After back-to-back blowout losses to SIAC top dogs Miles and Albany State, the Yellow Jackets played Fort Valley State close last week, scoring a season-high 40 points in a 49-40 loss.
 
"Allen has done some really good things," Dickerson said. "Allen is very talented. Offensively, they like to run the ball and have a running quarterback. We're going to have to be sound and fundamental. Defensively, they do a little bit of everything. Their defensive front is very active. I have a lot of respect for that coaching staff."
 
The two teams are fairly similar in the stats column. Allen is seventh in the SIAC in total offense at 317.5 yards per game, while Benedict is eighth at 312.3. Allen is fourth in total defense (333.5), while Benedict is eighth (347.3). Allen is fifth in the league in rushing yards per game (134.8), while Benedict is sixth (133.2). Benedict is ahead of Allen in rushing defense. The Tigers are seventh in the SIAC, allowing 133.7 yards per game, while Allen is ninth at 142.2. In the passing game, Allen ranks sixth in the SIAC with 182.7 yards per game, while Benedict is eighth at 179.2. Allen ranks fifth in passing yards allowed per game at 191.3, while Benedict is seventh at 213.7.

According to available records, only one score is confirmed prior to 1946, and that was a 0-0 tie in 1930. Between 1946 and 1966, Allen won 13 of the 20 meetings. Benedict has won the last three meetings since the two teams resumed the series in 2021 after a 45-year hiatus.
 
Dickerson said the team has had some enthusiastic practices this week in preparation for the big showdown.
 
"The greatest opportunity is these guys get to play another game. That's how we've got to look at it. We know it's a big rival game, and we're really excited about it. But we can't overlook the little things. We've got to be disciplined and consistent, but the momentum and energy has been awesome."