COLUMBIA, S.C.- Savannah State ended their 2024 football season with a disappointing 35-27 loss to Benedict, in a game played November 9, 2024 at Charlie Johnson Stadium.

The loss ends SSU season with a 5-5 overall record and a 4-4 SIAC mark.

Despite the setback, a pair of single game school records were made in the process with quarterback Jhaydon Sullivan passing for 400 yards and wide receiver Da'Shun Mitchell hauling in 227 receiving yards.

Sullivan broke the record of 337 yards set by Antonio Bostick in 2013 while Mitchell broke the school record held by Shannon Sharpe of 221 yards set during the 1989 season.

Savannah State scored on their opening possession with Sullivan throwing a 48-yard touchdown pass to Brent Carr with 12:39 left in the first quarter. The PAT by Jimmy Mal was good and SSU led 7-0. During the drive, Sullivan threw a 29 yard pass to Mitchell and Demeke Colbert had a 13 yard run.

SSU opened the second quarter with Sullivan throwing a 30 yard touchdown pass to Mitchell with 13:31 showing to cap a seven play, 55 yard drive. Mal's PAT extended Savannah State's lead to 14-0.

Benedict scored a touchdown in their second possession of the second quarter and then turned a SSU turnover into points to trim Savannah State's lead to 14-12 with 1:10 left before the half.

The Tigers responded to Benedict's score with Mitchell catching a 77 yard touchdown pass from Sullivan with 54 seconds left in the half to go ahead 21-12, following Mal's successful PAT.

Benedict returned the opening kickoff of the third quarter for a 83 yard touchdown to cut Savannah State's lead to 21-19 with 14:48 showing on the clock and with 12:04 remaining in the quarter, Benedict got a safety which ties the game at 21.

Savannah State drove to the BC 11 on their next possession but comes up empty as Mal's 27 yard field goal attempt is no good.

Benedict took over and drives 80 yards in five plays for a touchdown to take their first lead of the day at 28-21 with 4:33 left in the third quarter.

Benedict moved the ball to the SSU 23 on their next drive but Keion Bryant picked off the ball in the end zone.

Savannah State used their next possession to drive to the Benedict 14 but could not score as Sullivan was sacked for a six yard loss on a fourth down play.

Benedict did not waste their next opportunity as they added to their lead with a touchdown with 7:47 remaining in the game for a 35-21 advantage.

Two possessions later, SSU responded with the last score of the game with 2:30 remaining, capping a five play, 66 yard drive with Christian Burks throwing a 49 yard touchdown pass to Carr.

The Tigers offense finished the game with a season-high of 509 yards with 478 coming via air. Benedict managed 342 yards of offense with just 88 coming on the ground.

Sullivan completed 20 of his 35 passes for 400 yards and three touchdowns while Burks was 5 of 8 for 78 yards and a touchdown. Joseph Hampton carried the ball three times for 48 yards and Colbert added 30 yards on eight carries. Mitchell had a personal bet 12 receptions for 227 yards and two touchdowns while Carr had six catches for a career-high 187 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Gary Davis, Jr. and John "Wesley" Bentley both had six tackles apiece and Ahlik Booker was in on five stops. All three had one sack each. Booker and Bryant both had interceptions and Tony Rountree Jr. had a forced fumble.

Lexington Matthews had three punts for a 40.3 average.

It was the final game in a SSU uniform for Kelvin Drummond, Clarence Tre Samuel, Tracy Todd, Jordan Springs, Da'Shun Mitchell, Demeke Colbert, Brent Carr, Shamarcus Poole, Kirk Smith, Marlon Jackson, Randy Scott, Elijah Norwood, Hudson Primus, Jhaydon Sullivan, Alie "AJ" Brown, Darrian Bell, Christopher Murray, Bruce Mattox, Zaire Anderson, Curtis Spivey, Pearce Brown, Tyler Carmona  and Zyaire Williams