GAME: Benedict at Shorter
Time: 5 p.m.
Tickets: $10.50
Watch: Conference Carolinas Digital Network
Live Stats: Shorter Live Stats
 
ROME, Ga. – After holding the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls to 10 points with an opportunistic defense that forced a pair of turnovers, the Benedict College Tigers will have another test when they take on the high-scoring Shorter Hawks on Saturday.
 
Kickoff, originally scheduled for 3 p.m. from Barron Stadium, has been moved back to 5 p.m. due to concerns about the forecasted high temperatures.
 
Shorter is coming off an impressive 65-6 victory in their season opener against Andrews College last week. The Hawks finished with 431 yards of total offense, including 304 yards passing and averaged 7.8 yards per play. On the defensive side, the Hawks held Andrews to 114 yards of total offense, and -23 yards rushing. Shorter scored a pair of defensive touchdowns as well on a pair of fumble recoveries.
 
The Tigers, ranked 22^nd nationally in the D2football.com media poll and among the team receiving votes in the AFCA coaches poll, put together a strong performance of their own against the Golden Bulls in their season opener, dominating in all three phases – offense, defense and special teams. Benedict finished with 433 yards of total offense with a good balance on the ground (199 yards) and through the air (234). The defense held Johnson C. Smith to just 98 yards passing, picked off one pass, and forced the Golden Bulls to start drives inside their own 20-yard line six times. The special teams pinned the Golden Bulls deep in their own territory on a pair of punts, while kicking four field goals.
 
The matchup represents a significant jump in competition for both teams. Benedict faces a Shorter offense that scored touchdowns through the air, on the ground and defensively in its opener, while Shorter will be challenged by a Benedict team that displayed considerably more offensive balance and physicality than the Hawks saw in Week 0.
 
The similarities are striking: Benedict and Shorter finished Week 0 separated by only two yards of total offense, and neither team committed an offensive turnover. Both were also perfect in turning red-zone trips into points.
 
The Hawks recorded four sacks and 11 tackles for loss against Andrew. Benedict, meanwhile, did not allow quarterback Jett Peddy to be sacked in 30 team pass attempts against Johnson C. Smith. That matchup at the line of scrimmage could be one of the most important of the afternoon.
 
Defensively, Corion Powers led Benedict with 10 tackles, while JaHaven Phillips recorded a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. Caleb Riggs intercepted a pass, and the Tigers held JCSU without a touchdown after the 6:49 mark of the second quarter.