THE GAME
Savannah State will wrap up their conference schedule by making their second trip of the season to South Carolina as they play their final road game of the year.

After almost upsetting Kentucky State last week  the Tigers hope to end their last road game with a win over Benedict to help establish momentum for the 2027 campaign.

The task will not be easy with Benedict coming into the contest ranked #15 in the NPI rankings, #19 in the D2football.com poll and #21 in the AFCA poll.

The battle of Tigers will feature the SIAC's  #1 rush offense (Benedict) going up against the SIAC's  #2 rush defense (Savannah State).

Benedict is 3-0 at home this season while SSU is 0-4 while playing on the road.

GAME INFORMATION:
Savannah State (1-7, 1-5 SIAC) at Benedict (7-1, 5-1 SIAC)
Date: Saturday, October 31st
Time: 2:00pm
Location: Charlie W. Johnson Stadium | Columbia, South Carolina
Game Notes: https://ssuathletics.com/documents/2026/10/26/2026_SSU_Football_Game_Notes_vs._Benedict.pdf

HEAD COACHES:
Savannah State: Thomas Howard: 1-7 (1st Season)
Benedict: Ron Dickerson, Jr.: 28-25 (5th Season as HC)/21-10 (3rd Season At Benedict)

WEATHER INFORMATION:
Temperatures in the Midlands area of South Carolina will be in the low 70's at kickoff under mostly cloudy skies. Winds will be blowing East Northeast at 9 mph.

BROADCAST INFORMATION:
Live Stream: ESPN+
Broadcasters: Cade Crenshaw (Play-By-Play)/Todd Corder (Color Commentary
Live Stats: https://benedicttigers.com/sidearmstats/football/summary


SERIES HISTORY
Savannah State and Benedict first met in 1932 and BC owns a 15-4 edge in the series.

Since re-joining the SIAC, Savannah State has lost the past four meetings against Benedict. The last time SSU defeated Benedict was a 41-34 victory in 2021.


COACH HOWARD ON BENEDICT
"This is a team that has won a lot of games over the course of the last couple of years, despite the coaching change. I expect this to be a physical game."

"Offensively, their running backs run with power, run downhill and get the job done. Their wide receivers will go get the football. They are big, play physical and block in the run game. Top to bottom, their offensive line is around 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-5 and over 300-pounds and they move well to be some big guys. The offense fits well to what the quarterback is doing. He takes what you give him."

"They play really good on defense. They play hard, fast and physical.
They are going to try to run the football at us and we are going to try to stop the run. We are going to have to do a great job of being consistent with that. We have to be able to get the football from them. They do some things that they do and if you are not on the top of your game, it can be a long day. We have to go into the game with the right mentality because the are going to come to play".

LAST WEEK AGAINST KENTUCKY STATE
A 48-yard touchdown pass from Juan Gainous to A'iyon Carter with 21 seconds remaining lifted Kentucky State to a 27-24 comeback victory over Savannah State on October 24 in a game played at Alumni Stadium.

Before that, SSU erased a 13-point deficit by scoring 17 points to take the lead.

Savannah State, who trailed 13-0 at the half, scored 10 unanswered points in the third quarter to cut the deficit to three with RaShawn Truell connecting with Tristan Sizemore on a 77-yard touchdown pass before Joshua Woodley added a 20-yard field goal with 4:31 remaining in the quarter.

Midway the fourth quarter, the Tigers put together a 14-play, 68-yard drive which ended with Fabian Walker scoring on a 4-yard touchdown run to give Savannah State its first lead of the afternoon, 17-13, with 5:16 remaining.

KSU answered with a touchdown to go back in front 20-17 with 3:57 left on the clock. Savannah State responded with Truell capping a 7-play, 75-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run with 1:10 remaining to give the Tigers a 27-20 advantage.

The Thorobreds responded with what would be the game-winning touchdown with 21 seconds showing on the clock. 

On their final possession, Walker completed a 43-yard pass to Joshua Okeleye whixh put the ball at the KSU 18 on the final play, but the clock expired before the Tigers could get off another play.

Truell finished the day with 132 passing yards, throwing for one touchdown and rushing for another. Walker threw for 128 yards and ran for a touchdown. Kendarius Brown led the ground attack with 56 yards, Rodney Hill added 50 and Walker chipped in 39. Sizemore had three receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown.

Kaiden Stanciel led the Tiger defense with seven tackles and a interception. Amaari Smith and Zamarian Williams also had interceptions and Adonis Brazil had two sacks.


Savannah State ended the game with a season-high 481 offensive yards while the Tiger defense held KSU to just 21 rushing yards.

LAST YEAR AGAINST BENEDICT
In a game played November 8, 2025 at Theodore Wright Stadium, Benedict defeated Savannah State 16-13 in double overtime.

Quarterback Fabian Walker, who entered the game at the start of the second quarter, led a late rally to force overtime, but Benedict escaped with the walk-off score. 

Benedict took a 7-0 lead into intermission and the score remained the same until the fourth quarter.

On Savannah State's first drive of the second half, running back Joseph Hampton broke loose for a 62-yard run down the left sideline and was brought down at the Benedict one yard line. The Tigers offense stalled in the red zone and came away with no points with Jimmy Tran's 27-yard field goal attempt getting blocked.
After Benedict missed a 44-yard field goal attempt, SSU's offense took over.

Backed up at their own 27 with under three minutes to play, Walker dropped back and found Vaughn on a short route. The receiver turned upfield, split two defenders and raced 74 yards before being tackled at the 4-yard line. One play later, Hampton powered in off the right side for a four-yard touchdown. Tran's extra point tied it 7-7 with just over 2:05 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Benedict threatened in the final seconds, driving inside Savannah State territory, but Kevin Stokes, Jr. intercepted a pass at the two-yard line to send the game to overtime.

In the first overtime, Benedict settled for a 27-yard field goal to take a 10-7 lead. Savannah State answered with a clutch throw from Walker to Cinsere Clark that covered 21-yards that moved the ball to the two-yard line. The Tigers couldn't punch it in, but Tran drilled a 27-yard kick to tie the game at 10-10.

In the second overtime, Tran connected again, this time from a career-high 44 yards, to give Savannah State its first lead of the day at 13-10. But Benedict responded immediately. On the first play of its possession, Triston Morgan lined up in the shotgun and broke through the middle and sprinted 25 yards for the game-winning touchdown.

Walker finished the contest completing 14 of 19 passes for 211-yards. Hampton added 82 yards and a touchdown on the ground while TaDarius Vaughn had three receptions for a game-high 90 yards and Clark chipped in five catches for 75 yards.

Darrian Bell was in on 13 tackles and two tackles for loss, Ameer Phillips had three tackles for loss and a forced fumble, William Jones had a sack, Emari Napper broke up three passes while Gary Davis, Jr., James Shellman, IV and Stokes all ended the game with one interception.

SAVANNAH STATE/BENEDICT CONNECTION
Dr. Jerome Fitch, the Benedict Interim Athletics Director, was the Savannah State Athletics Director from 1998-2000; SSU head coach Thomas Howard and Benedict quarterback coach/recruiting coordinator Paul Howard were on the staff together at South Carolina State in 2023; Robby Wells was the Benedict defensive coordinator (2007) and later served as the Savannah State head coach (2008-09); Savannah State defensive back Trevor Strowbridge and Benedict offensive lineman Moses Echols are Savannah natives who helped Calvary Day School to a 13-1 season in 2023 and a trip to the state semifinals in GHSA Class AAA.

COMMON OPPONENTS
Savannah State and Benedict have four common opponents: Fort Valley State, Allen, Edward Waters and Albany State.

SSU beat Allen (38-36) but lost to Fort Valley State (22-9), Edward Waters (50-30) and Albany State (49-17).

Benedict has defeated Allen (37-24), Fort Valley State (34-33 OT), Edward Waters (45-24) and Albany State (29-8).

YOU CAN GET ANYWHERE FROM HERE
Former Savannah State University wide receiver Michael Stovall is  assistant athletics director of student-athlete development and brand awareness for the University of South Carolina athletics department.

His primary responsibilities are oversight of development and programming for all student-athletes as they prepare for life after sports. His duties also include continuing education of brand awareness as it pertains to name, image, and likeness. He oversees the daily operation of the Beyond Sports summer internship program and is the committee chair of the annual Gamecock Gala.

Prior to joining South Carolina, starting in 2015, Stovall was the assistant athletics director of career development and life skills at Georgia State University. He was responsible for building the life skills department and heading all of career development, leadership development, community service, and was the advisor for the student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC). He was also instrumental in promoting the vision and securing the funds to build the financial literacy room within the Georgia State stadium.

Stovall played wide receiver for the Tigers from 1992-94 and was a member of the 1992 SSU team that reached the Division II playoffs

A native of Decatur, Georgia., Stovall received his bachelor's biology from Savannah State. He later received his master's in sport and exercise psychology from Argosy University.

PALMETTO STATE TIGERS
Savannah State has five players who list South Carolina as their home. 

The game will be a homecoming for offensive lineman Dakari Sumter who is from Hopkins (Lower Richland HS) which is 14 miles from Columbia. 

Defensive back Jeffrey Jefferson Jr. is from Summerville (Fort Dorchester HS), tight end Kevin Cobbs is from Ridgeville (Ashley Ridge HS), offensive lineman Jonathan Orr is from Hardeeville (Ridgeland Academy) and defensive lineman Michael Bennett hails from Cross (Cross HS).

In addition, James Gordon, who is the Director of Football Equipment Operations, is from Orangeburg and Maurice Oliver, who is the Wide Receiver Coach, is from Anderson.. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Savannah State is ranked in the top 50 in several categories in the latest Division II statistics rankings. 

The Tigers are ranked #21 in team tackles for loss (7.3), #29 in red zone offense (0.880), #32 in blocked punts (1), #39 rush defense (122.3) and #49 in fewest penalty yards (54.38).

Individually, Joshua Woodley is ranked #1 in field goal percentage (1.000), Adonis Brazil is #3 in sacks (1.0), Kenny Gladden is #6 in kick return for a touchdown (1),  Adonis Brazil is #11 in tackles for loss (1.50), Joshua Woodley is #21 in field goals per game (1.13), Tristan Sizemore is 325 in yards per reception (19.52), Kenny Gladden is #34 in kick returns (25.8) and Zamarian Williams is #50 in solo tackles (4.59).

TIGER LEADERS
Headed into their last road trip of the season, Savannah State coaches are pleased with the progress the team has been making during the season. The team will take some momentum from last week's contest into their game with Benedict with the offense rolling up 481 yards and the defense yielding their opponent to a mere 21 yards on the ground.

The second ranked rush defense in the SIAC starts in the trenches with the defensive line. Led by Adonis Brazil, who leads the conference in sacks (8) and is second in tackles for loss (12). He also has 27 tackles. Joining him on the defensive line are Jamari Hinton (21 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 1 sack), Akeem White (18 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks) and Cayden Buchanan (15 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 1 sack). Freshmen linebackers Zamarian Williams and Kaiden Stanciel continue to impress with Williams leading the team with 48 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 1 interception while Stanciel is right behind him with 43 stops, 5 tackles for loss and 1 interception. The secondary features veterans Reggie Troutman (34 tackles, 2 tackles for loss), Trevor Strowbridge (28 tackles, 5 tackles for loss and 1 interception), Kevin Stokes, Jr. (27 tackles, 1 tackle for loss) and Terrell Gordon, Jr. (25 tackles, 1 interception). Amaari Smith has two interceptions.

Last week, RaShawn Truell became the first SSU quarterback to pass for over 1,000 yards in a single season since 2024 and enters the game with 1,101 yards, 10 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He will be backed up by Fabian Walker and Christian Burks. Since a injury ended the season for Cinsere Clark, Tristan Sizemore has become the number one receiver and has 27 catches for 527 yards and 4 touchdowns. Jahziah Avilez (18 catches for 187 yards) and Carter Payne (7 receptions for 96 yards and 2 touchdowns) also have capable hands. The Tigers employ a running back by committee approach and Kentarius Brown leads the way with 230 yards. KJ Debruce has 228 yards followed by Rodney Hill (191 yards, 1 touchdown), Elijah Stephens (125 yards, 1 touchdown) and Caleb Barbas (96 yards, 3 touchdowns).

SSU has a solid kicking game with Chase Butler and Joshua Woodley. Butler averages 38.02 yards per punt, has placed 3 punts inside the 20 and has a long of 60 yards. Woodley has made all nine of his field goal attempts and has made 16 of 17 extra point attempts. Kenny Gladden averages 25.75 yards on punt returns while Kentarius Brown averages 10.60, Isaiah Davis averages 10.67 and Jahziah Avilez averages 15.33 yards per return.

SCOUTING BENEDICT
Before the season began, Benedict was picked to finish second in the SIAC in the 2026 football race and had five players make the SIAC Preseason All-Conference Team. The Tigers were also ranked second in the inaugural Black College Football Poll.

Benedict remains in the race for a Division II playoff berth and enters the game with Savannah State averaging 31.13 points and 397.4 yards per game while their defense yields 17.75 points and 343.5 yards a game.

Among SIAC teams, the Tigers are ranked No. 1 in several categories: defense, rush offense, sacks, interceptions and punting. They are ranked second in pass defense, kick returns and fumble recoveries and fourth in scoring offense, total offense and total defense.

David Smith, who is No. 2 in the SIAC, leads Benedict in rushing with 660 yards and 3 touchdowns. Christopher Johnson has 423 yards and 6 touchdowns and A'Chean Durant has 372 yards and 5 touchdowns to add to the run game. Jeff Peddy will line up behind the center and has thrown for 1,401 yards, 8 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Peddy will be throwing to TJ Hatch who has 23 receptions for 397 yards and a touchdown. Zackery Watkins has caught 15 passes for 285 yards and 2 touchdowns and Reece Dobard has 14 receptions for 234 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The defense will be led their linebackers. Anchoring the unit will be Kahmari Cook who has 45 tackles. Cook will be joined by Caleb Edwards (44 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss), David Makonzo (43 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 interception) and TyMetrius Patterson (32 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks). Safety Corion Powers (39 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception) and defensive back Ethan Nathan (28 tackles, 2 interceptions) will roam the defensive backfield while Ryan Perry (20 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks), Jamal Rowell (17 tackles) and JaHaven Phillips (11 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks) will control the defensive line.

Garrett Hyder averages 45.97 yard per punt and has 9 punts that have went at least 50 yards and has a long of 69 yards. Zane Spires has made 21 of 24 extra point attempts and 11 of 13 field goal attempts with a long of 54 yards.

Stay Connected
For complete coverage of Savannah State University Athletics, visit SSUAthletics.com and follow the Tigers on social media at @SavStateTigers on Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).