Tigers take explosive 59-24 victory over Clark Atlanta
ATLANTA, Ga. – The Benedict College Tigers remained undefeated with an explosive 59-24 victory over Clark Atlanta University on Saturday afternoon.
Benedict scored three offensive touchdowns of more than 40 yards, three defensive touchdowns, and one touchdown on special teams to move to 4-0 on the season, and 3-0 in the SIAC. Clark Atlanta falls to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the SIAC.
In addition, the Tigers had season-highs for points (59), total offense (386 yards), and yards rushing (170). Triston Morgan rushed for 112 yards on just eight carries, and is the first Tiger to surpass 100 yards since Charles “Tre” Simmons rushed for 120 yards against Lane in the second game of last season.
The Tigers opened the game with a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Jaxon Williams. Williams later scored on a 42-yard pass from Darius Ocean to make it 21-3. Israel Nwokocha scored on a 23-yard fumble return to give the Tigers a 28-3 lead early in the second quarter.
The Panthers rallied with 21 unanswered points, including scoring on a 70-yard pass, to cut the lead to 28-24. Ocean threw a 67-yard touchdown pass to Simmons just before halftime to make it 35-24.
The Tigers held Clark Atlanta scoreless in the second half. Morgan scored on a 75-yard run, Zane Spires connected on a 38-yard field goal and the Tigers added two more defensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Terence Brown scored on an 18-yard interception return, and Isaiah Stephens scored on a 44-yard fumble return.
Ocean finished the game completing 9-of-20 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns. Clark Atlanta’s Xzavier Jackson completed 28-of-47 passes for 388 yards and three touchdowns, but was under constant pressure by the Benedict defense and threw one interception and was sacked six times.
Ty’Metrius Patterson led the defense with eight tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks and two pass breakups.
Benedict will look to keep its winning streak going next week, when they return home to face rival Allen at 2 p.m. from Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.
