By Jarrett Hoffman
HBCU Sports
https://hbcusports.com/
Entering the day as the only remaining undefeated team in HBCU football, the Benedict Tigers kept their winning ways going, riding a strong second-half performance to a 59-24 win over Clark Atlanta.
As a result of Allen’s loss to Albany State, Benedict became the first team to improve to 3-0 in conference play (4-0 overall).
Meanwhile, Clark Atlanta’s record drops to 2-3, with this being the first time it has lost consecutive seasons under head coach Teddy Keaton.
It did not take long for Benedict to put the first points of the game on the board, as receiver Jaxon Williams took the opening kickoff 92 yards to the house for a touchdown.
This would be the first of five different ways Benedict would reach the end zone in this game, also scoring on a pass, a run, a fumble recovery, and a pick six.
Once the Tigers’ offense stepped on the field, they would get things going, scoring on their first two possessions to build a 21-3 lead in the first quarter.
In his second start at quarterback for Benedict, Darius Ocean finished with 213 passing yards, including a 42-yard touchdown strike to Williams that extended the Tigers’ lead to 21-3.
In the second quarter, Israel Nwokocha contributed the first of three defensive touchdowns for the Tigers, recovering a fumble after a sack by Josh Modupe and returning it 35 yards to give the team a 28-3 lead.
Faced with significant adversity, Clark Atlanta’s offense began to get comfortable led by a charge from true freshman quarterback Xzavier Jackson.
Starting his first career game, in relief of initial starter Zy McDonald (injured the previous week against Allen), Jackson tossed three touchdown passes in a three-minute span in the second quarter to trim the Panthers’ deficit to 28-24 with 1:46 left in the first half.
Ten seconds later, however, Benedict would shift the momentum back in its favor, as Ocean connected with Charles Simmons on a 67-yard pass up the middle for a touchdown to take a 35-24 lead into halftime.
The second half would be all Benedict, holding the Panthers scoreless for the remainder of the game, while the Tigers scored 24 unanswered on their way to victory.
All three of Clark Atlanta’s offensive drives in plus territory ended with the Benedict defense getting a fourth-down stop.
The Tigers’ defense also scored two more defensive touchdowns in the second half to further cement their victory.
Benedict’s three defensive touchdowns in this game matched the most in Division II football this season entering today’s slate of games.
They will put their unbeaten streak on the line next week in the S.C. HBCU Classic when they host their in-state rival, the Allen Yellow Jackets.
Jarrett Hoffman is an HBCU Sports contributor and a graduate of Bowie State University.
