COLUMBIA, S.C. – Benedict College rushed for a season-high 239 yards, while holding Virginia University of Lynchburg to just 12 yards on the ground as the Tigers cruised to a 42-10 Homecoming victory over the Dragons on Saturday in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.
The Benedict defense recorded nine sacks on the day, and the Dragons were held to just 1-of-16 on third-down conversion attempts.
Benedict improves to 8-1 overall, while VUL falls to 3-7 overall, and 0-7 against NCAA competition, on the season.
Triston Morgan led the ground attack with 103 yards on just nine carries, and scored a pair of touchdowns. David Smith added 89 yards on 16 carries and scored one touchdown. A’chean Durant also scored on a 45-yard run.
Troy Hillman scored on a short pass from Darius Ocean in the third quarter, while Jackson Jensen threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Malaqhi Jones in the fourth quarter.
The Benedict defense was relentless against the Dragons. In addition to the season-high nine sacks, the Tigers recorded a season-high six pass breakups, and limited a pair of VUL quarterbacks to seven completions on 24 attempts for 117 yards. The Tigers also blocked a punt in the first quarter.
Isaiah Stephens led the Tigers with 12 total tackles, while Ty’Metrius Patterson had seven tackles, including five tackles for loss and three sacks and a forced fumble. Israel Nwokocha had five tackles, including three tackles for loss, two sacks and a quarterback hurry.
The Tigers took the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards on nine plays, with Smith scoring from a yard out for the first touchdown of the game. After a three-and-out by the Dragons, Durant scored on a 45-yard run on the Benedict’s first offensive play on their second series to put the Tigers up 14-0.
Morgan scored on a 42-yard run in the second quarter to put Benedict up 21-0.
The Dragons put together their best drive of the game late in the second quarter, marching 95 yards on 10 plays to score on a 1-yard run and cut the lead to 21-7 at the half. The Dragons added a 40-yard field goal on the opening drive of the second half to make it 21-10.
Benedict put together an 11-play, 70-yard drive, with Morgan scoring a touchdown on a 4-yard run to make it 28-10. On Benedict’s next series, Morgan had a 35-yard run to give Benedict a first-and-goal, setting up a short 2-yard touchdown pass from Ocean to Hillman for a 35-10 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Benedict will wrap up the regular season next week with a road game at Savannah State.
