Savannah State (1-7, 1-6 SIAC) at Benedict Tigers (7-1, 5-1 SIAC)
 
Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. ET
Location: Charlie W. Johnson Stadium
Tickets: BenedictTickets.com
Entrance Policy: Benedict has a clear bag policy. Also, no Halloween masks will be allowed.
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: Benedict College Athletics
Series: Benedict leads all-time series 10-3, dating to 1958
Last Meeting: Benedict 16, Savannah State 13 (2OT), Nov. 8, 2025 in Savannah, Ga.
 
COLUMBIA, S.C. – With the Benedict football team in a tight four-team race for an SIAC championship, the 19^th/21^st-ranked Tigers host the Savannah State Tigers on Saturday at 2 p.m.
 
Benedict is looking to stay in the hunt for a bid into the conference title game, and can't overlook the scrappy Savannah State Tigers. SSU is 1-7 overall and 1-6 in the SIAC, but nearly pulled off a stunning upset over Kentucky State last week. The Thorobreds needed a touchdown in the final 21 seconds to escape with a 27-24 victory.
 
Benedict, 7-1 overall and 5-1 in the SIAC, is part of a logjam at the top of the SIAC standings with Kentucky State (6-1), Edward Waters (5-1) and Central State (5-1). Kentucky State is off this week, while Edward Waters travels to Central State in a key conference matchup.
 
The BC Tigers are coming off an impressive 29-8 victory over Albany State last week, in a game that saw Benedict hold the Golden Rams to just 152 yards of total offense. Benedict scored a pair of rushing touchdowns, including a 50-yard big play by David Smith; a defensive touchdown on a fumble return by JaHaven Phillips, and three long field goals by Zane Spires, including a school record 54-yarder.
 
Benedict remains the SIAC's leader in rushing yards per game at 206 yards per game, and fourth in the SIAC in total offense at 397.4 yards per game. Savannah State has the second-best defense against the run, allowing just 122.3 yards per game, although they rank next to last in passing yards allowed (256.4).
 
If Benedict is forced to throw the ball, the Tigers are well capable. Quarterback Jett Peddy has thrown for 1,400 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has a large stable of fast and tall receivers, led by Tamyrion "TJ" Hatch, Zackery Watkins, Reece Dobard, Demetris McKelvey and Jayson Salkey.
 
Benedict also shines defensively. The Tigers lead the SIAC in scoring defense, giving up just 17.8 points per game, and rank third overall in total defense. Benedict also leads the SIAC and ranks seventh nationally with 12 interceptions. They also have been adept at creating turnovers, and lead the SIAC with 19 turnovers gained, sixth-best in the nation. Savannah State has struggled on the offensive side of the ball, averaging 270 yards of offense per game, and average 19.8 points per game.
 
Special teams has also been special for Benedict this season. Along with Spires, who kicked three field goals of more than 48 yards last week, the Tigers have one of the best punters in the nation in Garrett Hyder. Hyder's impressive performance last week was overlooked in the hype over Spires' record-setting day, but he averaged a whopping 56.8 yards per punt on five kicks, including a long of 69 yards. His consistent punting has kept opponents in poor field position all season.
 
Benedict will want to keep an eye on Savannah State kick returner Kenny Gladden, who is fourth in the SIAC at 25.8 yards per return, including one return back for a touchdown this season. Savannah State also has an excellent kicker in Joshua Woodley, who has been perfect on all nine field goal attempts this season, with a long of 43 yards.