Edward Waters Tigers (5-1, 4-0 SIAC) at Benedict Tigers (5-1, 3-1 SIAC)
 
Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. ET
Location: Charlie W. Johnson Stadium
Tickets: BenedictTickets.com
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: Benedict College Athletics
Series: Benedict leads the series, 5-1, dating to 2001
Last Meeting: Benedict 31, Edward Waters 27 — October 18, 2025, Jacksonville, Florida
 
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Homecoming is always the biggest game of the year for the thousands of alums who return home every year to the campus "Where the golden sunshine falls."
 
But this year, it may also very well be the most important game of the year for the Benedict football team, as they host Edward Waters University in a pivotal contest in the race for the SIAC championship. Kickoff Saturday is 2 p.m. in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.
 
Edward Waters was picked to win the SIAC in the preseason vote by the league's head coaches, and they have done nothing so far this season to diminish that opinion. The EWU Tigers come into Saturday's game the only remaining undefeated team in conference play at 4-0. They are 5-1 overall, with their only loss of the season against Division I Jackson State. In their four conference games, they are averaging a whopping 49.5 points per game, and rank at the top of most offensive categories in the SIAC.
 
The Benedict Tigers are 3-1 in the SIAC and are still in contention in the league race, as they are one of four teams with one conference loss. The Tigers remain the top rushing team in the SIAC, averaging 205.5 yards on the ground per game. Benedict has allowed opponents the fewest points, giving up just 18.3 points per game. That defense will be put to the test against the high-powered Edward Waters offense.
 
Edward Waters does most of its damage through the air, as the EWU Tigers lead the SIAC in passing yardage at more than 327 yards per game. But Benedict's defense has been stellar this season against the pass. They rank second in the league in passing yards allowed (174.7) and rank first in the SIAC and ninth in the nation with nine pass interceptions. Those interceptions have helped the Tigers rank first in the SIAC and 21^st nationally in turnover ratio and they have forced a league-best 15 turnovers.
 
If the game comes down to special teams play, the Tigers have one of the top punters in the conference in Garrett Hyder, who is averaging 44.24 yards per punt, and kicker Zane Spires has connected on seven of his eight field goal attempts. Benedict also leads both the SIAC and Division II in blocked kicks, thanks in part to three blocked punts last week against Allen.
 
Benedict and Edward Waters have had some exciting and intense battles over the past couple of years. Last year, Benedict had to stage a last-minute drive and scored on a 16-yard touchdown with 29 seconds remaining to defeat Edward Waters 31-27 in Jacksonville. Two years ago in Columbia, Benedict scored an eight-yard touchdown with no time on the clock to win 31-28 in a nationally-televised game.