COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College Tigers opened the 2025 football season with a 10-0 shutout over Fayetteville State University in the Labor Day Classic on Saturday in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.
 
It was the first shutout victory for the Tigers under Coach Ron Dickerson Jr., and Benedict's first shutout since defeating Edward Waters 34-0 on Sept. 9, 2023.
 
Benedict opened the game with a seven-play, 64-yard drive that culminated with a 24-yard field goal by Zane Spires. It was the first made field goal by a Benedict player since the 2023 season. That was all the points the Tigers would need as the Benedict defense held the Broncos to seven punts, two missed field goals and two fumbles.
 
On Benedict's first drive, Travone Finney had a 46-yard rush to give Benedict a first-and-goal. After a short run gain and a pair of incomplete passes, the freshman kicker Spires drilled the field goal for a 3-0 lead. Fayetteville State missed a 41-yard field goal attempt on their ensuing possession.
 
In the second quarter, the Broncos missed a 46-yard field goal attempt, with the Tigers taking over at the 29-yard line. Redshirt freshman quarterback Jackson Jensen completed a key 20-yard pass to Malik Mullins to keep the drive alive, then later found Malaqhi Jones in the right corner of the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown pass. Spires added the PAT to give Benedict a 10-0 lead with 3:08 left in the first half.
 
The Broncos fumbled on both of their first two possessions in the second half, but the Tigers were unable to capitalize on them. Benedict went three-and-out after the first fumble recovery by Israel Nwokocha. Nwokocha forced the second fumble, and Cam Williams recovered and returned it 31 yards, only to see the Tigers go three-and-out again.
 
Benedict, now 1-0 on the season, will be off next week, and returns to action on Sept. 13 with a road game against Central State in their SIAC opener. Central State opened the 2025 season on Saturday with a 34-24 loss to Kentucky State.