Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

ATLANTA — It’s rivalry weekend and the time for the last pieces of the postseason puzzles to be determined. The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference finds out who joins regular season champion Albany State in the league championship along with the new Week 11 nonconference contests.

With its run through the first seven conference games unblemished and prevailing over the two foes tied for second, No. 19 Albany State clinched the regular season title and hosting privileges for the Nov. 15 SIAC Championship.
 
The Golden Rams await either the Tigers of Benedict College or the Thorobreds of Kentucky State. Benedict and Kentucky State did not face off in the regular season so second place will be determined by win percentage against common opponents. Heading into the weekend, Benedict holds the slight edge of .469 to .438. With this being the case, Benedict wins at Savannah State and they are No. 2 and in the title game. A Kentucky State win at Lane College and a Benedict loss would put the Thorobreds into the championship.
 
No matter which team between Benedict and Kentucky State lands in the SIAC Championship, both teams will be playing the following weekend.
 
As announced in February 2024, the SIAC and Conference Carolinas entered into a two-year partnership for Week 11 of the 2025 and 2026 football seasons. In the agreement, two teams from each league will play at SIAC institutions on Saturday, November 15, 2025, and then the SIAC teams will travel to Conference Carolinas territory on Saturday, November 14, 2026. Two teams from each league not qualifying for their league championship game will take part.
 
This year's SIAC vs. Conference Carolinas games will be:

• Shorter University at Benedict or Kentucky State (whichever school does not qualify for the SIAC Championship game).
• Erskine University at Edward Waters is the second of the two games.

The two partnership games are to give the participating schools an 11th game and ideally boost their resumes for the NCAA DII National Playoff Super Region Two bids.

The SIAC has six games on this Saturday’s docket for Week 10. The two games with postseason implications both kickoff at the same 3 p.m. ET – Benedict College traveling to Savannah State and Kentucky State going to Lane College.
 
The three heated rivalry games make up half of the games – Albany State versus Fort Valley State in the 35th Annual Fountain City Classic in Columbus, Ga.; Tuskegee at Miles College and the 6 p.m. evening start of Atlanta’s battle of Morehouse College at Clark Atlanta.
The final scheduled game has Edward Waters going up to Allen University.
 
Two of the SIAC’s top teams share the "Big Win" of the Week honors. Albany State held off Savannah State by a 21-18 final and sealed the regular season title. Kentucky State built a 29-10 halftime lead and never allowed Clark Atlanta closer than two scores in a 43-28 score.
 
The Honorable Mention is also shared by two upset winning teams – Central State intercepted five passes and went ahead for good on an 80-yard run with 3:54 left in the third for the 21-17 win at Edward Waters. Allen scored three-straight touchdowns for a 20-7 lead and sealed the upset (28-17) on a scoring pass with 7:47 left at Morehouse College.
 
Going into the Week 10 weekend, three SIAC teams are in good position where it counts the most in the Super Region Two rankings. With the top eight teams earning NCAA DII playoff berths, Albany State is second behind West Florida while Benedict sits at No. 3 and Kentucky State in the No. 6 position.
 
EDWARD WATERS AT ALLEN – SIAC Network
Saturday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m. ET
AME Classic
 
Location: Fairfield Central High School
Address: 836 US-321 BYP South, Winnsboro, SC 29180
Live Stats
Local Weather
 
It will be a battle of two teams on the rise. Both Edward Waters (5-4, 4-3 SIAC) and Allen (4-5, 4-3 SIAC) have won two more games than the 2024 seasons with the winner making it three.
 
After winning its first three games, the Tigers aim to seal a winning season and rebound from a home upset to Central State (21-17) a week ago. The home Yellow Jackets doubled their victories to four and came off a 28-17 upset road victory at Morehouse College.
 
Going into the 14th series meeting, Edward Waters holds a 10-3 advantage. EWU recorded a 33-28 home win last fall while Allen won on its home turf (59-21) in the 2023 edition.
 
Trailing 7-0 after an interception was returned for a touchdown, Edward Waters returned the ensuing kick-off 79 yards for the score and tie. The Tigers went ahead early in the second on a 30-yard field goal (10-7). Central State, though, capitalized on five interceptions and ran an 80-yard touchdown with 3:54 left in the third quarter for a 21-17 final. EWU defender Trevon French helped to hold Central State to 260 yards of offense with his 13 tackles and a sack effort.
 
A pair of Jamir Dismukes touchdown passes covering 49 and 75 yards pushed Allen ahead 20-7. Dismukes’ final touchdown pass sealed the Yellow Jackets win. He threw for 268 yards with wide receivers Michael Bowman and Marcus Fleming combining for seven receptions for 180 yards and all three of the touchdown catches.
 
Game History: 4-1 Edward Waters (since 2019)
 
 
NO. 19 ALBANY STATE VS. FORT VALLEY STATE – ESPN+
35th Annual Fountain City Classic
Saturday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m.

Location: A. J. McClung Memorial Stadium
Address: 400 4th St., Columbus, GA 31901
Live Stats
Local Weather
 
Even with no SIAC Championship game spot on the line, the two blue and gold rivals meet for the annual regular-season finale. No. 21 Albany State (8-1, 7-0 SIAC) plays to keep its NCAA seeding and Fort Valley State (4-5, 4-3 SIAC) needs no motivation for this game.
 
Both rivals head to Columbus off home finale victories – ASU held off Savannah State (21-18) while FVSU took care of Miles College (24-14).
 
After the first 88 meetings, the Wildcats and Golden Rams are separated by only one game. FVSU holds a 42-41-4 edge. ASU has won the last two games – 20-15 in 2024 and 13-7 in 2023. FVSU took away a 31-21 decision for the 2022 battle.
 
The Golden Rams went out to a 14-0 lead a week ago and never trailed. Savannah State pulled within a field goal on a 5-yard run with 8:03 left but ASU did not give up the lead. The two teams’ defenses shined with only 479 yards of combined offense amassed (243-236). Quarterback Isaiah Knowles passed for 182 yards and two scores with wide receiver Omari Stewart grabbing four of the 18 completions for 74 yards and a touchdown.
 
Trailing 14-10 midway through the second frame, the Wildcats recaptured the advantage on a 33-yard pass and then added the long second-half score for the 24-14 final over the Golden Bears of Miles. Running back Alexander Wilsonran 15 times for 79 yards and linebacker Jadyn Walker posted nine stops with a sack and forced fumble.
 
Game History: 42-41-4 Fort Valley State
 
 
TUSKEGEE AT MILES COLLEGE – ESPN+
Saturday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m. ET

Location: Legion Field
Address: 400 Graymont Ave W, Birmingham, AL 35204
Live Stats
Local Weather
 
The battle for SIAC Alabama supremacy commences at historic Legion Field Saturday afternoon. Tuskegee (3-6, 2-5 SIAC) and Miles College (3-7, 3-4 SIAC) clash for season-ending success.
 
For the third time this season, the Golden Tigers found the win column by scoring the first 18 points of their 18-13 win over the Dragons of Lane College. Miles College put the first points on the scoreboard and led 14-10 in the second quarter only to see Fort Valley State post the final two scores in a 24-14 final.
 
The SIAC Alabama rivals meet for the 68^th time on the gridiron. Tuskegee takes a 46-20-1 lead despite Miles winning the last two years (33-7 in 2024 and 35-10 for 2023). The Golden Tigers pulled out a 26-23 victory in 2022.
 
The Golden Tigers snapped a 6-game skid with its win over the Dragons. Miles scored a pair of touchdowns and a field goal to go with a safety for its points. Quarterback Bryson McGrew accounted for 171 of the team’s 211 yards of total offense. Ean Nation caught six passes for 68 yards and a touchdown while Devon Irving Jr. had 12 tackles and a sack.
 
Despite last week’s setback, Miles has won three of its last four games. Quarterback Brinley Vandiver threw for 135 yards on 13 completions and Robert Williams recorded double digits in tackles with 10.
 
Game History: Tied 7-7 (since 2010)
 
 
KENTUCKY STATE AT LANE – SIAC Network
Saturday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m. ET

Location: Lane Field
Address: 545 Lane Ave., Jackson, TN 38301
Live Stats
Local Weather
 
The two squads seek a regular-season ending victory for different reasons on Saturday. Kentucky State (7-2, 6-1 SIAC) has its sights set on a trip to the SIAC Championship with a win and some help while Lane College (0-9, 0-7 SIAC) has been close each of the last two games in search of its first 2025 win.
 
For the second time in three weeks, the Thorobreds surpassed 40-plus points in its 43-28 home finale over the Panthers of Clark Atlanta. The Dragons pulled to within a score, 18-13, halfway through the third quarter but could not complete the comeback against the Golden Bears of Miles.
 
Kentucky State has won two-thirds of the first 44 games of the series, 29-14. The Thorobreds have claimed the last five contests including a 24-20 score last fall. Lane last won the 2018 affair (34-23).
 
KSU quarterback Denim Johnson earned the SIAC Offensive Player of the Week by throwing for the second-highest passing total in the SIAC this year with 392 yards on 16 of 21 passes with five touchdowns. Wide receiver Darius Cyprian grabbed three of the touchdown passes of his six catches for a career-high 254 yards. The two teammates helped KSU total 497 yards of total offense against Clark Atlanta and ride home after going out to a 36-10.
 
For the second time in as many games, Lane fell short by one score. Lane fell the prior week late to Fort Valley State (23-19) before its 13 points in the middle two quarters wasn’t quite enough against Tuskegee. Quarterback Nick Billoups passed for 152 yards of the team’s 211 total yards.
 
Game History: 16-10 Kentucky State (since 1998)
 
 
RV BENEDICT COLLEGE AT SAVANNAH STATE – SIAC Network
Saturday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m. ET

Location: Theodore A. Wright Stadium
Address: 4437 Skidaway Road, Savannah, GA 31404
Live Stats
Local Weather
 
The SIAC biggest game of the weekend takes place along the eastern Georgia coast. Benedict College (8-1, 6-1 SIAC) strives to earn its spot in the SIAC Championship game while Savannah State (4-5, 3-4 SIAC) looks to be the spoiler in the season finale.
 
After meeting Albany State the prior week, Benedict ventured out of the Conference for the second time and started strong and had its way with Virginia University-Lynchburg (42-10). Savannah State trailed by two touchdowns early, but it saw its upset bid of SIAC regular season champion Albany State fall short, 21-18.
 
The two Tigers have met 20 times on the football field with Benedict coming out on top in 16 of those meetings. Benedict takes a three-game win streak of the series to Saturday, including a 35-27 final in 2024. Savannah State last claimed victory in the 2021 edition by a 41-34 total.
 
Benedict wasted no time with three touchdowns in the first 18:14 of the game against Virginia-Lynchburg. The Tiger defense held the Dragons to 129 total yards with only 12 coming on the ground. Running back Triston Morgan (9-103) and David Smith (16-89) combined for 192 yards on 25 carries and three touchdowns.
 
The Savannah State defense more than held its own against the SIAC’s top offense and allowed only 243 yards to Albany State. Down 14-3 at half, the Tigers cut it to four points (14-10) five minutes into the second half and cut it to a field goal difference with 8:03 to play. Wide receiver Cinsere Clark grabbed nine passes for 111 yards, while Tony Rountree Jr. sacked the ASU quarterback three times.
 
Game History: 3-2 Benedict (since 2019)
 
 
MOREHOUSE AT CLARK ATLANTA – SIAC Network
Saturday, Nov. 8, at 6 p.m. ET
Battle of the AUC

Location: CAU Panther Stadium
Address: 735 Beckwith St., Atlanta, GA 30314
Live Stats
Local Weather
 
The battle for Atlanta will wrap up the SIAC regular season. Morehouse (3-6, 3-4 SIAC) aims for a three-game increase in its win total from last fall while Clark Atlanta (2-7, 1-6 SIAC) looks for a bright ending to a tough year.
 
The Maroon Tigers saw its home finale ruined as their 20-17 lead was dashed by a fourth-quarter Yellow Jacket of Allen score for the 28-17 upset. The Panthers totaled 457 yards of total offense and four touchdowns but it was not enough against the Thorobreds of Kentucky State in a 43-28 ending.
 
In one of the oldest SIAC rivalries, Clark Atlanta enjoys a 50-39-2 lead in the first 91 matchups. The Panthers won by a 28-17 score last year while the Maroon Tigers grabbed a 35-21 victory for 2023.
 
Morehouse put together its longest win streak of three games in recent seasons over the fifth through eighth contests. The last two weeks saw close games not go its way. The Maroon Tigers posted the first 10 points of the second half, but they could not get closer in the final moments. Quarterback Miles Scott continued his outstanding passing numbers of 352 yards on 22 of 42 attempts. Wide receiver Eric Stephens pulled in four of those completions for 91 yards.
 
Clark Atlanta pulled with a score two times at Kentucky State (8-3 and 15-10) but it could get no closer over the final 35 minutes of play. Quarterback Xzavier Jackson earned the SIAC Newcomer of the Week honors with personal best numbers of 32 of 49 passes for 425 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Armone Harris did his part with 15 receptions for 225 yards and all four of the scoring strikes. 
 
Game History: 9-4 Morehouse (since 2011)
 

TEAM STANDINGS
TEAM	SIAC	OVERALL
Albany State	7-0	8-1
Benedict	6-1	8-1
Kentucky State	6-1	7-2
Edward Waters	4-3	5-4
Fort Valley State	4-3	4-5
Allen	4-3	4-5
Miles	3-4	3-7
Savannah State	3-4	4-5
Morehouse	3-4	3-6
Central State	3-5	3-7
Tuskegee	2-5	3-6
Clark Atlanta	1-6	2-7
Lane	0-7	0-9

**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.