Benedict College Athletics

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict Tigers jumped out to a 28-0 first-half lead and went on to a dominating 45-24 Homecoming victory over 21^st-ranked Edward Waters on Saturday at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.
 
The Benedict defense stymied the SIAC's highest-scoring offense for most of the day, holding EWU to a season-low in points, not counting a one-sided 66-14 loss to Division I Jackson State. The Benedict Tigers were also able to score more points on EWU than any other team except for Jackson State.
 
Benedict improves to 6-1 overall and moves into a first-place tie in the SIAC at 4-1. Edward Waters falls to 5-2 overall and 4-1 in the SIAC.
 
The BC Tigers rushed for 238 yards, with David Smith leading the way with 106 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries. A'chean Durant added 70 yards, while Christopher Johnson bulldozed his way for 63 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.
 
Defensively, the Tigers harassed EWU quarterback Tavion Faulk by sacking him four times, and Ethan Nation intercepted a pass in the second quarter that led to a 32-yard touchdown run by Smith to put Benedict up 21-0. Benedict notched six pass breakups, and also held Edward Waters to 7-of-18 on third down conversions, and just 1-of-4 conversions on fourth down.
 
Benedict's special teams also had a big day. Chris Butler had a 76-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter that gave Benedict a 45-17 lead, and Kahmari Cook blocked a third quarter punt.
 
The BC Tigers opened the scoring in the first quarter on a six-yard run by Smith to wrap up a seven-play, 75-yard drive. On their next possession, Benedict drove 81 yards on 10 plays, with Johnson finishing things off with a 10-yard touchdown run.
 
A 32-yard touchdown run by Smith following Nation's interception gave Benedict a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter. Benedict's next series saw the Tigers get a 12-yard touchdown pass from Jett Peddy to Demetris McKelvey for a 28-0 lead.
 
Edward Waters finally got on the board with a 24-yard field goal late in the second quarter, but Benedict was able to get a 54-yard touchdown pass from Gianni Mascolino to Zackery Watkins with less than a minute left in the half to push the lead to 35-3 at halftime.
 
Edward Waters scored on a two-yard run on their first possession of the second half, while Benedict added a 24-yard field goal by Zane Spires to make it 38-10.
 
EWU scored on a 21-yard pass, but BC answered with Butler's 76-yard kickoff return for a 45-17 score. EWU added an 18-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to wrap up the scoring.
 
David Makonzo led the defense with 10 tackles, including a sack. Joshua Lee and Lamont Shamburger added seven tackles each.
 
Benedict travels to Albany State next Saturday.