AUGUSTA, Ga.-  D'Angelo Durham had a happy homecoming as the Augusta native rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown to lead Savannah State to a 21-14 win over Benedict in the Augusta Classic at Lucy Laney Stadium.

Savannah State moves to 2-1 overall for the first time to open a season since 2009, after going 1-1 in the season's opening open two home games. Durham was named the MVP of the Augusta Classic.

The crowd of 4,287 saw Savannah State take the early lead when Christopher Smith intercepted a Phillip Brown passed and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown with 7:50 remaining in the first quarter. Giovanni Lugo kicked the extra point to give the Tigers a 7-0 advantage.

Late in the first quarter, SSU's Dorian Metts fumbled a punt and Benedict's Derun Williams recovered at the Savannah State 15. Benedict took over and tied the game at 7-7 when Brown scored on a eight yard run with 12:56 remaining in the half.

On SSU's next possession, the Tigers drove to the Benedict 19 but turned the ball over on downs when they failed to convert a fourth and five situation.

The teams went into intermission tied at 7-7.

On their second drive of the second half, Savannah State went ahead 14-7 when Major Bellamy caught a 35 yard touchdown pass from D'Vonn Gibbons. Following Lugo's extra point, SSU led by seven with 8:32 left in the third quarter.

Late in the quarter, Benedict drove to the SSU 15 but their drive would stall. BC's Rigoberto Tinoco tried a 32-yard field goal attempt but that went wide right and the score remained the same.

Early in the fourth quarter, Savannah State drove to the Benedict 19 and the drive stalled. Lugo's 36-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left so the score remained 14-7.

On their next possession, SSU was able to score as Durham capped a eight play, 47-yard drive with a 1-yard run with 2:10 left in the game. Lugo's extra point extended SSU's lead to 21-7.

Key to the scoring drive was a face-mask call against Benedict that moved the ball to the BC 23 and a 20-yard pass completion from Gibbons to freshman tight end Julian Roberts which put the ball at the 1-yard line.

Benedict closed out the scoring on their next possession when Brown tossed a 8-yard touchdown pass to Raylen Elzy with 1:02 left.

Savannah State ended the contest with 14 first downs, 138 rushing yards and 85 passing yards. SSU, which had three sacks, was also penalized six times for 119 yards.

Gibbons threw for 55 yards while adding 56 more on the ground. Bellamy, Roberts and Rayvion Hayden all had one reception each. Salik McRae led the defense with five tackles.

Benedict (0-3) had 10 first downs, 60 yards rushing and 140 yards passing while getting penalized six times for 85 yards.

Raheem Jennings ran for 39 yards while Brown passed for 140 and Elzy had four catches for 63 yards. Robert Cummings had eight tackles for the defense.

The Tigers continue a five-game road stretch with a visit to Atlanta next Saturday to play Morehouse College. 

Game Notes:

* The win improved Savannah State to 2-1. The last time the Tigers had a 2-1 record was back in 2008. SSU started the season with a loss to Jacksonville but hen had back to back wins against Livingstone and Winston-Salem State.

*The last time Savannah State played a football game in Augusta was 2009, a 23-21 loss to Concordia-Selma in the Southern Georgia Heritage Classic. SSU's last win in Augusta came in 2002, a 21-20 win over Morris Brown in the 10th CSRA Classic.

* The win over Benedict was the first in the series for Savannah State since a 22-14 win in 1962.

*The game in Augusta was a homecoming for a trio of SSU players. D'Angelo Durham (Grovetown HS) and Dameien Rodgers (Hephzibah HS) are both from Augusta while Ronnie Johnson is from Screven County, Georgia.

* D'Vonn Gibbons has thrown a touchdown pass in each of SSU's games this season