COLUMBIA, S.C. – Jaxon Williams scored on an 83-yard kickoff return to open the second half as the Benedict College Tigers exploded for 23 unanswered points in the second half and defeated Savannah State 35-27 on Saturday in a SIAC football game in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.
 
Benedict wrapped up the 2024 season with a 4-6 record overall and 4-4 in the SIAC in coach Ron Dickerson Jr.'s first season with the Tigers. Savannah State ends its season at 5-5 overall and 4-4 in the SIAC.
 
Savannah State took a 21-12 lead right before the half after scoring on a 77-yard pass with less than a minute on the clock.
 
Williams took the second-half kickoff and raced 83 yards for the touchdown, his second kickoff return for a touchdown this season. For the game, Williams had five kickoff returns for 202 yards. He entered the game leading the nation in kickoff returns, averaging 38.6 yards per return. That cut the lead to 21-19.
 
Savannah State was facing a fourth down at their own 27 on the next series, when the punter mishandled the ball and a scramble for the loose ball ensued. It was kicked out of the back of the end zone for a Benedict safety to tie the score at 21.
 
Savannah State missed a field goal and the Tigers took over at the 20-yard line. Benedict scored on a 59-yard pass from Charles "Tre" Simmons to Shatarius Williams, giving Benedict its first lead of the game, 28-21, with 4:33 left to play in the third quarter. Williams caught six passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns on the afternoon.
 
Benedict increased the lead to 35-21 early in the fourth quarter. Simmons threw a 49-yard pass to Zach Gibson to give the Tigers a first-and-goal at the Savannah State 4-yard line. A'chean Durant ran it in to give the Tigers a 35-21 lead with 7:47 left in the game.
 
Savannah State scored on a 49-yard pass with 2:30 remaining in the game to cut the lead to 35-27. Benedict recovered the on-sides kick and milked the clock before having to punt the ball with just 32 seconds left. Savannah State had time for just one long pass attempt.
 
Savannah State opened the game by scoring on a pair of long passes to take a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
 
Simmons completed 23-of-42 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns. James "Trey" Caver led the defense with eight tackles. Ty'Metrius Patterson added six tackles, including two tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble.