Benedict Rallies To Top Edward Waters, 31-27
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Triston Morgan caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Darius Ocean with just 29 seconds left in the game as the 24th-ranked Benedict College Tigers staged a game-winning drive to defeat Edward Waters 31-27 in a key SIAC matchup on Saturday.
The win keeps Benedict (7-0 overall, 6-0 SIAC) undefeated and one step closer to a berth in the SIAC championship game. Edward Waters falls to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in the SIAC. Benedict’s win sets up a first-place showdown with Albany State next Saturday in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.
“We knew we were going into a hostile environment and we knew that Edward Waters was a really good team and we were going to have to play truly four quarters of good football,” Dickerson said.
Edward Waters took a 27-24 lead in a wild, back-and-forth fourth quarter on a 58-yard run. Benedict started their drive near midfield and powered down the field on run plays. Triston Morgan ran the ball seven consecutive times for 37 yards, setting up a third down at the 16-yard line with time running out on the clock. Ocean rolled to his right and found Morgan in the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.
“I wanted to eat the clock as much as I could,” Dickerson said. “I knew they were kind of similar to us. If they needed to, they could score quick. I knew if we wore as much time off the clock as possible, and let our defense rest, it would give us an opportunity to be successful and win the game.”
Edward Waters had a last-chance Hail Mary pass, but Isaiah Stephens intercepted the ball in the end zone.
Benedict had a 17-7 lead at the half, but Edward Waters tied the game with 10 points in the third quarter, including a 56-yard return off a blocked punt to tie the score. Edward Waters took the lead on a 25-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Benedict took the ensuing possession and drove 77 yards on eight plays, with Morgan scoring on a 17-yard run to give Benedict a 24-20 lead.
With five minutes left in the game, Edward Waters completed a couple of short passes, then Johntarrious Thomas scored on a 58-yard run to put EWU up 27-24 with 3:50 left in the game. After a short kickoff and a 21-yard return by Charles “Tre” Simmons, the Tigers started the game-winning drive at their own 47-yard line.
“When you’ve got two good teams, it just comes to at the end of the day, the fundamentals. I think we had a little more endurance and juice,” Dickerson said. “I think we believe in all three units, and weren’t worried. We knew we couldn’t go out there and flinch. We knew we were playing a good team, but we just had to do our job. Triston Morgan did a great job, A’chean Durant came in late with fresh legs, and we just wore them down.”
Ocean completed 17-of-33 passes for 268 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Morgan finished with 90 yards rushing and 40 yards receiving and scored two touchdowns.
Benedict opened the game with a 22-yard field goal by Zane Spires, but Edward Waters answered with a 20-yard touchdown on their next possession for a 7-3 lead. Benedict took a 10-7 lead in the second quarter on a 15-yard pass from Ocean to Troy Hillman.
Benedict ended the first half by blocking a 54-yard field goal attempt, and Omari Terry returned the blocked kick 45 yards for a touchdown, giving the Tigers a 17-7 lead at the half.
Terry led the defensive effort with seven tackles.
