COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College Tigers scored 21 unanswered points in the second half and forced four turnovers and blocked three punts in the game to defeat the Allen University Yellow Jackets 37-24 in a SIAC football game on Saturday at Charles F. Bolden Stadium.
The Tigers jumped out to a 20-2 lead in the first quarter, only to see the Yellow Jackets pull to within 20-17 on a short touchdown run on the final play of the first half.
After
Joshua Lee blocked an Allen punt late in the third quarter,
A'chean Durant rushed for a 14-yard touchdown to give Benedict a 27-17 lead. The Tigers took over late in the third quarter after
Caleb Riggs broke up an Allen fourth-down pass attempt, and the drive ended with a
Zane Spires 42-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.
After another fourth-down stop, thanks to quarterback pressure by
Ty'Metrius Patterson, the Tigers went on a seven-play, 46-yard drive that culminated in a 39-yard pass from
Jett Peddy to
Reece Dobard to give the Tigers a 37-17 lead with 1:44 left in the game. Allen scored a late touchdown with 16 seconds left to wrap up the scoring.
The Tigers improved to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the SIAC. Allen falls to 2-4 overall and 1-3 in the SIAC.
Benedict took the game's opening kickoff and drove 65 yards, with
Chris Butler scoring on a 36-yard run. Allen took the ensuing possession and the Tiger defense held them to a three-and-out.
Alex Powell blocked the punt, and scooped up the ball and returned it 32 yards for a score to give Benedict an early 14-0 lead.
Later in the first quarter, Peddy threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to Dobard. Spires' extra point kick was blocked, and returned the ball the length of the field for a two-point defensive PAT.
The Yellow Jackets scored a pair of second-quarter touchdowns on a 32-yard pass. Right before the half, a high punt snap allowed the Yellow Jackets to recover in excellent field position and scored a two-yard quarterback keeper on the final play of the half to make it 20-17 at the break.
The Tigers rushed for a season-low 142 yards on a wet and sloppy day.
David Smith led the way with 42 yards on 11 carries.
Peddy completed 9-of-18 passes for 176 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Dobard was the top target, catching three passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns.
Kahmari Cook recorded nine tackles to lead the defense, while
David Makonzo had seven tackles and a 13-yard fumble return.
Caleb Edwards had seven tackles and recovered a fumble.
The Tigers return home on Saturday for their Homecoming matchup against Edward Waters University. Kickoff in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium is 2 p.m.
