Benedict 21, Stillman 10

October 8, 2005

TUSCALOOSA, AL --- The Stillman College Tigers lost their first game of the season at Stillman Stadium Saturday evening. The Benedict Tigers used a sound ground game and a stout defense to beat Stillman 21-10, to improve to a 4-3 overall record and a 2-3 conference record. The Tigers fall to a 3-3; 2-3 record.

Benedict recorded 236 rushing yards and 74 passing yards, while holding Stillman to 200 total yards (39 rushing yards and 161 passing yards). The Benedict Tigers were also able to better cope with a large number of penalties than the Stillman Tigers. Stillman recorded 12 penalties for 95-yards and Benedict had 11 penalties for 99-yards.

Benedict got on the scoreboard first, as Andre Sumner capped a 12 play, 73-yard drive with a four-yard run. Martin Degazon's extra point kick put Benedict in front 7-0 at the 4:10 mark in the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter Stillman scored its first points of the game, as senior kicker Kevin Flemming connected on a 24-yard field to cap a 14 play, 74-yard drive. The score cut Benedict's lead to 7-3 at the 12:32 mark. Later in the quarter Benedict's Richard Siders hauled in a 28-yard pass from Tremaine Lyle with 2:50 remaining in the half. The score capped an 11 play, 93-yard drive that ate up five minutes and 22 seconds. Degazon's kick increased Benedict's lead to 14-3.

With 11:14 on the clock in the third quarter Benedict scored its final points of the game. The Tigers recovered a fumbled punt return by sophomore defensive back Brian Witherspoon. A holding penalty pushed the ball back to the 12-yard line. On the next play Lyle connected with Lemarcus Nero for a 12-yard touchdown strike. Degazon's kick made the score 21-3.

On the ensuing kick-off Witherspoon redeemed himself for the fumble. Sophomore defensive back Denatay Heard fielded the Degazon kick at the Stillman eight-yard line and handed the ball off to Ryan Kimbrough who then made a lateral to Witherspoon who ran 70-yards for Stillman's only touchdown of the game. Flemming's extra point kick made the score 21-10.

Benedict's Sumner recorded a game high 110 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. Junior running back Carlos Valasques led Stillman with 42-yards on 15 attempts.

Stillman's third string freshman quarterback recorded a game high 83 passing yards. He completed five of 10 attempts and had an interception. Stillman's starting signal caller, sophomore Charles McCullum, followed with 78-yards and completed eight of 12 attempts. McCullum was knocked out of the game late in the third quarter and was spelled briefly by sophomore Quinton Wright.

Lyle completed five of 18 pass attempts for 74-yards and two TDs. Stillman's Marcus Bryant recorded a game high 101-yards on six receptions. Nero led Benedict with two catches for 32-yards and a score.

Stillman's Harvey Logan led all defenders with 12 tackles. Junior defensive lineman Irving McGuire followed with 10 tackles. Deon Lanier led Benedict with nine tackles, a forced fumble and a sack for 10-yards.

Stillman will have a week off to recover and regroup before heading to Fort Valley, Georgia for Fort Valley State's homecoming on Oct. 22.