The Benedict Tigers’ undefeated season lives on following a hard-fought win over Edward Waters, scoring a game-winning touchdown in the final minute to take home a 31-27 victory.
Benedict improves to 7-0 overall with the win, including a 6-0 record against the SIAC, remaining one of two unbeaten teams in conference play.
Darius Ocean finished with a season-high 268 passing yards, completing 52% of his passes, and scoring two touchdowns.
Edward Waters running back Johntarrious Thomas had his strongest performance of his career, rushing for 226 yards on 21 attempts and scoring a touchdown.
Quarterback Noah Bodden had a rushing touchdown of his own, adding 157 passing yards on 51% passing.
On its first offensive possession of the game, after limiting Benedict to a field goal, Edward Waters took a lead after a 20-yard rushing touchdown by Bodden.
The ensuing defensive possession provided an opportunity for EWU to extend its lead, forcing a fourth-down stop and getting the ball back in plus territory.
However, following a 21-yard run by Bodden on first down, the Tigers would commit their first turnover of the game when a hit by a Benedict defender jarred the ball loose on a run attempt.
This game was highlighted by multiple missed opportunities on both sides as evidenced by a chaotic sequence to end the first half.
With 51 seconds remaining in the first half, Ocean connected with Troy Hillman for Benedict’s first touchdown of the game to take a 10-7 lead.
After a holding call on the ensuing kickoff set up Edward Waters’ offense inside the 10-yard line, they would lose the ball on another fumble, giving Benedict another opportunity to score.
However, on their next play from scrimmage, Triston Morgan would lose the ball on a run up the middle, leading to a massive scrum in the end zone.
Edward Waters’ defensive back would emerge out of the pile with the ball and return it to the opposite end of the field, putting the team in scoring position with 14 seconds remaining.
After two incomplete passes, Edward Waters lined up for a field goal. The attempt was blocked by Donte Craggette-Drake before being recovered and returned for a touchdown by Omari Terry.
Entering the second half now trailing 17-7, Edward Waters would eventually take the lead back in the fourth quarter, scoring 13 unanswered points.
This run included a 56-yard punt return touchdown by Kieren Jackson and was capped by a 25-yard field goal to give EWU a 20-17 lead.
Both teams would then trade rushing touchdowns, including a 58-yard rushing touchdown by Thomas to make the score 27-24 with 3:50 remaining.
A short kickoff set Benedict up at midfield on its next offensive drive with a chance to take the lead.
Leaning on Morgan in the run game, the Tigers advanced the ball inside the five-yard line and would get the go-ahead score on a three-yard touchdown pass from Ocean to Morgan.
In its last gasp, Edward Waters was able to get the ball to midfield on a QB scramble to attempt a Hail Mary, but it was not to be, getting intercepted in the end zone.
Benedict will now look forward to returning home for a clash with Albany State in a matchup of the last two remaining unbeaten teams in conference play in the SIAC.
