COLUMBIA, S.C. – Homecoming at an HBCU is a big deal. And for the Benedict College faithful alumni, who only return to campus once a year, Saturday's football game against Miles College is a chance to see the Tigers' new and hungry young squad go up against a veteran Golden Bears team.
 
Kickoff from Charlie W. Johnson Stadium is 2 p.m. Tickets are available at benedicttickets.com. Live stats are available here. The game will also be live streamed on the Benedict College official athletic YouTube page.
 
Head coach Ron Dickerson Jr. knows there's some added pressure to pick up a win on Homecoming, but doesn't want his young squad to get too caught up in the extracurricular activities.
 
"It's Benedict's Homecoming, and we represent that and we understand that. But the thing we've got to do is tackle, we've got to run the ball, we've got to catch the ball, we've got to hold on to the ball," Dickerson said. "Like I told them, let everyone else enjoy Homecoming. If we win the game, then you can enjoy Homecoming."
 
Benedict has won back-to-back Homecoming contests. Prior to their 2022 Homecoming victory over Clark Atlanta, Benedict had dropped three straight Homecoming contests. And over the last 12 years, the Tigers are 8-4 in Homecoming games.
 
"It's a game. We play between the lines," Dickerson said. "What happens in the stands, happens in the stands. But we know family and alumni and everybody is coming back, so for them, it's a big game. We've just got to go out and do our job."
 
And that job will be stopping the SIAC's current top team in the Miles Golden Bears. Miles comes into the contest 5-2 overall and unbeaten at 5-0 in league play. The Golden Bears opened the season with a one-point loss to West Alabama, currently ranked 18^th in Division II. They dropped a game to Division I Alabama State before going on their current five-game winning streak. They have beaten their SIAC opponents by an average of two touchdowns per game, including a 49-28 romp over Clark Atlanta last week.
 
"They're a really good team," Dickerson said. "They've got a great defensive front. They're very talented. They've been building over the years, and they've established a good, consistent program. That's the key, they're consistent. Offensively, they're going to run the ball. They're going to set it up with the play action and throw the ball deep when they want to. They're a very consistent team. That's because they've been together for a while."
 
Miles ranks third in the SIAC in total defense, allowing an average of 324.1 yards per game. They also rank second in scoring defense, giving up an average of 20.1 points per game, and have intercepted a league-high 12 passes. On offense, the Bears have the second-best rushing attack, averaging 155.1 yards per game, led by a strong duo of Brandon Hicks and Jamari Riley.
 
While Miles is a veteran-dominated team, Benedict is rebuilding with youth, with talented freshmen such as wide receiver Malaqhi Jones, receiver and return specialist Jaxon Williams, and running back Damien Moate Jr.
 
"It's the opportunity to play the next game and be at home," Dickerson said. "That's a great team coming in, and when we do what we're supposed to do, we're a good team, too. I'm excited to see them play."