ATLANTA — After the biggest matchup of the regular season is in the books, the gridiron action continues Saturday afternoon. The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference heads into the final two weeks of the football regular season with the top half of the league fighting for the two championship game berths.
The newly-ranked Golden Rams of Albany State leaped into the AFCA Top 25 at No. 23 following its road win over formerly No. 21 Tigers of
Benedict College. Albany State put up 17 points in the second quarter and posted the nationally televised clash's first 31 points of what would be a 31-3 final score over Benedict.
With the victory, ASU took over sole possession of first place at 6-0 in the SIAC with two games left. Benedict stands only a half game back at 6-1 with its conference bye week upon it. Kentucky State will return to action as it is right behind the top two teams at 5-1, while
Edward Waters is within striking distance at 4-2.
Staying in the "hot seat", Albany State continues as the top game for the second week in a row. The Golden Rams play host to Savannah State (3-3), which faces the top two teams in its final pair of games. Kickoff at ASU Coliseum is at 1 p.m. on ESPN+.
Kentucky State takes its five-game win streak against the high-powered Clark Atlanta offense. Edward Waters entertains
Central State in the third SIAC matchup to determine the title tilt participants.
The SIAC had its share of exciting finishes last Saturday. Three of the contests were decided by one possession, while Edward Waters and Allen sealed their wins in the fourth quarters.
With the close outcomes, the big wins were tough to choose, except for the "Game of the Week," in which Albany State dominated Benedict (31-3). The Golden Rams expanded a 7-0 lead with 17 more points in the second quarter to take control and gave six to choose from for the games of last weekend. The second top victory goes to Edward Waters and its furious comeback over Clark Atlanta in a high-scoring finish (55-41).
The Honorable Mention win goes to Savannah State, which kept its SIAC Championship game hopes alive. Savannah State put three-straight touchdowns on the scoreboard and turned a 3-point deficit into an 18-point lead of the 24-16 final.
For the third week in a row this season, the SIAC has a team in the AFCA Top 25 but a different one as Albany State jumped in at No. 23. Benedict College fell out but it is still Receiving Votes with 19. BOXTOROW's HBCU D2 rankings have five SIAC squads within its top 10 ratings – 2. Albany State; 3. Benedict College; 4. Kentucky State; 8. Edward Waters and 9. Savannah State.
SAVANNAH STATE AT ALBANY STATE – ESPN+
Saturday, Nov. 1, at 1 p.m. ET
Location: ASU Coliseum
Address: 504 College Drive, Albany, GA 31705
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In Week 9's top matchup, the Tigers look to continue its late-season push in the Homecoming contest on the blue turf. Albany State (7-1, 6-0 SIAC) tries to stay on top of the SIAC standings against
Savannah State (4-4, 3-3 SIAC).
Savannah State bounced back from a close loss the prior week with a second-half three-touchdown surge to overtake Morehouse College (24-16). No. 23 Albany State did not need to come back as it rode a 17-point second quarter on the way to taking over the top SIAC position (31-3) over Benedict College.
It will be the 58th meeting between the Tigers and Golden Rams. ASU has won three of the last five meetings, including three in a row – 2021 (30-0), 2022 (31-20) and 2023 (15-12). Savannah State pulled out a close 28-26 win last fall.
Trailing 6-3 at intermission, Savannah State twice in the third frame and a third-straight early in the fourth for a 24-6 lead. The Tigers recorded 394 yards of offense. It was defensive lineman Xavier Esquillen who led the defense and helped hold Morehouse to -20 rushing yards and only 123 yards of total offense. Esquillen set the Savannah State record for sacks in a game with five to go with a forced fumble and a pass breakup to be named the SIAC Defensive Player of the Week.
The SIAC's top offense did not hold back against Benedict. The Golden Rams amassed 493 yards and held the ball for over 14 minutes more than the Tigers (36:08 to 22:23). Leading 24-0 at half, running back Tiant Wyche rushed in from 10 yards for what would be ASU's final points of the 31-3 final. SIAC Offensive Player of the Week
Isaiah Knowles threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns.
Albany State remains the lone SIAC team to not lose to a NCAA DII opponent on the season. With a win, ASU clinches a spot in the SIAC Championship game as it has given both Benedict and Kentucky State their one league loss of the year.
Game History: 4-2 Albany State (since 2011)
ALLEN AT MOREHOUSE – SIAC Network
Saturday, Nov. 1, at 1 p.m. ET
Location: B.T. Harvey Stadium
Address: 865 Westview Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30314
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On two different streaks, the Yellow Jackets and Maroon Tigers had mixed results last Saturday. Allen University (3-5, 3-3 SIAC) aims for its second two-game win streak, while
Morehouse College (3-5, 3-3 SIAC) looks to rebound from its first loss in almost a month.
After falling three games in a row to three of the top four SIAC teams, Allen righted its ship on the road in a game it never trailed at Tuskegee University (28-13). Morehouse held a 6-3 halftime lead only to see Savannah State score three touchdowns in a row of the second half for the eventual 24-16 decision.
Saturday marks the renewal of the Allen-Morehouse series for the first time in almost a century. The two SIAC members last crossed the line on the gridiron 94 years ago in 1931. Morehouse won that meeting (13-6) in 1931 and shut out Allen the prior year (32-0).
Allen's Fabian Duncan, who leads the SIAC in rushing at 122.3 yards per game, and quarterback
Jamir Dismukes ran in for touchdowns from one and two yards for a 14-0 over Tuskegee. The Golden Tigers booted a pair of field goals before a pair of Yellow Jacket scores sealed the win. Duncan went over 100 yards rushing with 114 on 31 carries and two scores. Dismukes threw for 210 yards and rushed for another 71 yards.
Heading into last Saturday on a 3-game win streak, Morehouse tried to make it four in a row for the first time in seven years. Savannah State ended those plans with its three second-half touchdowns in a row. The Maroon Tigers were held to only 103 yards of total offense on the day with -20 rushing.
VIRGINIA-LYNCHBURG AT RV BENEDICT — SIAC Network
Saturday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m. ET
Location: Charlie W. Johnson Stadium
Address: 1920 Two Notch Road, Columbia, SC 29204
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The final non-conference game of the year is set for 1 p.m. Saturday. Virginia University-Lynchburg travels to Columbia to be the Homecoming opponent for Benedict College (7-1, 6-1 SIAC).
The weekend meeting will be only the second one between the Dragons and the Tigers. Benedict took away a two-touchdown win, 30-16, in the 2018 edition.
VUL has come up short in each of its last three games, including a 44-22 loss at Livingstone College last week. After being tied 14-14 at half, Livingstone rattled off the first 30 points of the second half and ended any upset try by Virginia-Lynchburg. Quarterback Gary Sanders threw for 222 yards passing with a pair of touchdowns.
For the first time of 2025, Benedict came up on the short end of the final score. It took No. 23 Albany State to give it to them where the Golden Rams scored the game's first 31 points of the 31-3 final. Benedict produced only 217 yards of offense with Quarterback Darius Ocean accounting for 158 yards passing and another 59 yards rushing.
Game History: 1-0 Benedict (since 2018)
CENTRAL STATE AT EDWARD WATERS – SIAC Network
Saturday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m. ET
Location: Nathaniel Glover Community Field & Stadium
Address: 1658 Kings Road, Jacksonville, FL 32209
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The sixth new state will be crossed off the road game location for the SIAC's team from Ohio. Central State (2-7, 2-5 SIAC) travels to Jacksonville against
Edward Waters (5-3, 4-2 SIAC).
The Marauders take the field for the seventh time overall in a new state and first time in the Sunshine State this year. Central State came up short (28-24) to Miles College last weekend. The two Marauder wins have come on the road this year with a 42-13 win over Lane College in Rochester, N.Y., and an 18-14 win at Fort Valley State.
Edward Waters ended its two-game skid with a two-touchdown strike over a 1:03 time period late in the fourth quarter for the 55-41 win over Clark Atlanta.
The Tigers hold a 2-1 edge in the series with a 45-13 final in 2022 and a 56-19 win in 2021. Central State claimed the first meeting in 2019 (28-21).
Tied at 21-21 going to the fourth quarter, Miles pushed ahead with a touchdown with 11:01 left. Central State hit a field goal with 3:35 left but it couldn't get any more points. Linebacker Domonique Davis II continued his outstanding play with 12 tackles and an interception. Defensive back
Trei'Shaun Sanders earned the SIAC Newcomer of the Week award with two interceptions, with one being returned 40 yards for a touchdown to go with five tackles.
Edward Waters' quarterback Noah Bodden completed a 57-yard touchdown pass at 5:57 left before
Aykenon Rodgers returned an interception for the game-sealing score with 4:54 remaining. The Tiger offense produced 633 yards of total offense with Bodden throwing for 368 yards and four scores.
Brady Tillman (15-171) and
Johntarrious Thomas (18-91) combined for 262 yards on the ground on 33 carries.
Game History: 2-1 Edward Waters (since 2019)
LANE AT TUSKEGEE – SIAC Network
Saturday, Nov. 1, at 3 p.m. ET
Location: Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium
Address: 1112 Chambliss St, Tuskegee, AL 36088
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The two teams on the toughest runs meet. Lane College (0-8, 0-6 SIAC) and
Tuskegee (2-6, 1-5 SIAC) clash where the winning team will end a long losing streak.
In the closest it came to winning this year, Lane allowed Fort Valley State to score the game-winning touchdown with 2:36 left in a 23-19 final. Tuskegee continued its tough run of six games as Allen University took a 28-13 contest.
The Golden Tigers have dominated the series with the Dragons as they have won 28 of the first 29 meetings of the series. Tuskegee has won the last three with a 27-17 final in the 2024 game. Lane took the 2017 contest by a 21-17 score.
Quarterback Nick Billoups found the end zone from 30 yards out to end the third quarter and give Lane a 19-16 lead. Fort Valley State prevailed with the final touchdown. Billoups passed for 180 yards and rushed for another 90 yards and two total touchdowns. Defender
Jersey Chubb led the Dragons with eight tackles and 1.5 for a loss.
Trailing 14-0, Tuskegee hit field goals to end the first half and start the third quarter to cut it to 14-6. Allen answered with two touchdowns and held Tuskegee to its only touchdown of the day with 3:46 left. Ja'Khael Rowser rushed for 52 yards on seven carries for the Golden Tiger offense while
Preston Parker caught four passes for 94 yards and a touchdown.
Game History: 13-1 Tuskegee (since 2000)
CLARK ATLANTA AT KENTUCKY STATE – SIAC Network
Saturday, Nov. 1, at 3 p.m. ET
Location: Alumni Stadium
Address: 111 Athletic Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601
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It will be two of the highest scoring offenses in the Kentucky state capitol. Clark Atlanta (2-6, 1-5 SIAC) aims to snap a five-game skid while host
Kentucky State (6-2, 5-1 SIAC) looks for its sixth victory in as many games.
Clark Atlanta tied the game with Edward Waters only to see its opponent score two touchdowns in a minute in a 55-41 loss. Kentucky State comes off its lone bye week of the fall season after it traveled all the way to New Hampshire for a 17-14 win over Franklin Pierce on Oct. 17.
The Thorobreds enjoy a 17-8 lead in the first 25 games of the series. KSU won the last two meetings – 2023 (34-20) and 2019 (35-24) – while CAU pulled out a 19-7 win in 2010.
The Panthers led early and tied the game late against the Tigers of Edward Waters. Xzavier Jackson completed 23 passes for 292 yards with nine of them going to
Armone Harris covering 147 yards.
KSU kicker Leland Gantz made the long trip to the northeast part of the country worth it as he booted a game-winning 41-yard field goal against Franklin Pierce. Quarterback
Denim Johnson had 209 yards of total offense with 189 through the air.
Mataye Youman led three double-digit tacklers with 13.
Game History: 12-3 Kentucky State (since 1998)
MILES AT FORT VALLEY STATE – ESPN+
Saturday, Nov. 1, at 6 p.m. ET
Location: Wildcat Stadium
Address: 1005 State University Drive, Fort Valley, GA 31030
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In what many years in a battle between two title contenders, the two teams boast a combined six wins for 2025. Miles College (3-6, 3-3 SIAC) tries for its fourth 'W' in a row in what should be another tight contest against
Fort Valley State (3-5, 3-3 SIAC).
The Golden Bears have won each of its last three games by scoring 23-plus points, including a 28-24 decision at the Marauders of Central State. FVSU scored the game-winning touchdown with only 2:36 left in the game of a 23-19 win at Lane College.
Over the first 55 times the two teams have faced each other, the Wildcats have a 36-17-2 lead. Miles won the last meeting by a 38-17 final back in 2019, while FVSU edged out a 21-19 final the previous year in 2018.
Miles put up a season-high 28 points last Saturday for its third win in a row. The Golden Bears have won every game where they have scored at least 23 points. Against Central State, quarterback Brinley Vandiver threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns with
Marquez Mobley pulling in five of those passes for 136 yards.
Quarterback Don Hudson Jr. connected on 21 passes in 35 attempts for 185 yards to lead the Wildcat offense.
Omarion LaRoach led the FVSU defense with eight stops, 2.5 for a loss, a sack, and four quarterback hurries. Kicker
Kyle Keese made three field goals, including a 53-yarder to tie heading into halftime and both his extra points to earn the SIAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Game History: Tied (since 2009)
| TEAM STANDINGS |
| TEAM |
SIAC |
OVERALL |
| Albany State |
6-0 |
7-1 |
| Benedict |
6-1 |
7-1 |
| Kentucky State |
5-1 |
6-2 |
| Edward Waters |
4-2 |
5-3 |
| Fort Valley State |
3-3 |
3-5 |
| Savannah State |
3-3 |
4-4 |
| Allen |
3-3 |
3-5 |
| Morehouse |
3-3 |
3-5 |
| Miles |
3-3 |
3-6 |
| Central State |
2-5 |
2-7 |
| Clark Atlanta |
1-5 |
2-6 |
| Tuskegee |
1-5 |
2-6 |
| Lane |
0-6 |
0-8 |
*Team standings as of Oct. 30, 2025
**Team standings are calculated per the SIAC tie-breaker policy.
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ABOUT THE SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SIAC)
The SIAC is a NCAA athletic conference consisting primarily of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with headquarters in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The SIAC includes 15 member institutions (Albany State University, Allen University, Benedict College, Central State University, Clark Atlanta University, Edward Waters University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Miles College, Morehouse College, Savannah State University, Spring Hill College, and Tuskegee University), which are located within a contiguous seven-state footprint (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio). The SIAC sponsors nine men's and seven women's sports and is a proud member of the NCAA Division II. For more information, visit
www.thesiac.com.