COLUMBIA, S.C. – There are national rivalries, like Notre Dame and Southern Cal; there are regional rivalries, like Ohio State and Michigan; and of course there are in-state rivalries, like South Carolina and Clemson, or Auburn and Alabama. But there is only one rivalry between across-the-street neighbors, and that takes place Saturday in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium when the Benedict Tigers host the Allen Yellow Jackets.
 
Kickoff for the game, billed as the South Carolina HBCU Classic, is set for 2 p.m. The game will be available to watch on the SIAC Network. Live stats will be available here. Tickets are available here.
 
The Tigers enter the game as one of the hottest teams, not just among HBCUs, but all of Division II. Benedict is 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the SIAC. Benedict is one of 16 remaining undefeated teams in Division II. They did not allow a point in their first two games, then put together back-to-back offensive explosions, scoring 104 points in their last two games.
 
Allen is also enjoying an offensive renaissance. The Yellow Jackets, 2-3 overall and 2-1 in the SIAC, are averaging 28 points per game. They are second in the SIAC in total offense per game, and have the SIAC's leading rusher in Fabian Duncan (133.6 yards per game), and leading passer in quarterback Jamir Dismukes (247 yards per game).
 
"Allen's a good team. This year, they're putting up miraculous numbers on offense," said Benedict head coach Ron Dickerson Jr. "It's going to be really challenging for our defense. They run that ball, they run that ball and they run that ball. Their running back is leading the conference, if not all HBCUs in rushing. He's a bruiser. I really like the way he plays. Their offensive line does a great job. And their quarterback is really, really good. He's leading the conference in yards. And that's because they're able to run the ball. When you put all the people in the box, then he just takes advantage of you. The O-line gives him a good amount of time and they've got some good receivers. So we've got our work cut out for us."
 
The Benedict defense has been relentless so far this season. The Tigers rank first in the NCAA in defensive touchdowns (4), fumbles recovered (8), and turnover margin (2.25). The defense was sparked last week by the season debut of SIAC preseason defensive player of the year Ty'Metrius Patterson. Playing just the second half against Clark Atlanta, Patterson recorded eight tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles. He was named the D2football.com national defensive player of the week, as well as the HBCU player of the week by BoxToRow. The Tigers also lead the nation in kickoff returns, with All-American speedster Jaxon Williams leading the nation with 50.3 yards per return.
 
Saturday's game continues a tradition-rich rivalry between the two next door neighbors.
 
For many years, the Benedict vs. Allen game was a major event in Columbia. Unfortunately, records prior to the mid-40s are unavailable, but the first recorded game was in 1946, with Allen taking a 14-0 victory. Starting in 1954, Allen won nine of 12 meetings, before the series was paused in 1966 after Benedict and Allen disbanded their football programs.
 
The series was revived with much fanfare in 2021, after Allen resumed its program and rejoined the SIAC. Benedict has won all four meetings since then, but needed overtime last year to take a 34-27 victory. Allen still has the upper hand in the overall series of available scores, leading 13-11.