Stillman defeats Benedict 35-21 in homecoming win

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama  – Looking to both get a game back in the conference standings and rebound from last week's disappointing loss, the Stillman Tigers defeated the visiting Benedict Tigers 35-21 at Stillman Stadium as the College celebrated Homecoming 2013:  Excellence and Beyond.

In a game the featured two of the top offenses on the SIAC, Stillman boasted an offensive total of 445 total yards (144 rushing, 301 passing) while Benedict tallied 340 yards (65 rushing, 275 passing) in the contest.

After both teams struggled on their opening possessions, Stillman was about to score first when junior Jovontae Thurman ran from four yards out with 50 seconds remaining on the first quarter clock.  Benedict got on the scoreboard when Eduard Hernandez nailed a 42-yard field goal, making the score 7-3.

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Stillman would answer when freshman running back Rovonta Johnson - returning from an ankle injury - scampered 42 yards to make the score 14-3.  Less than three minutes later, a bad snap by the Stillman offense found its way into the hands of Benedict linebacker Martin Epps who ran 45 yards to the end zone.  With the PAT, Stillman led 14-10.

With 1:34 remaining in the half, Stillman quarterback Torrance Moise found Joshua Jackson for an 18-yard strike, extending the Stillman lead to 21-10 at intermission.

When both teams returned from the locker rooms at halftime, junior kick returner/receiver Dondre Purnell took the kickoff 97 yards for a score, making the score 28-10 in favor of Stillman.

After Benedict earned three points on a 23 yard Hernandez field goal, Stillman's Johnson would score his second touchdown of the day, this one from one yard out.  After the Yonwaba Pupuma PAT, Stillman led 35-13.  Benedict would add a late touchdown, but would not get any closer than the 14-point margin.

For Benedict (2-4, 1-3 SIAC), Marcus Graham finished completing 13-of-33 pass attempts for 186 yards while bing sacked four times.  Harlon Samuels caught five passes for 90 yards in the game.  Lorenza Cooper finished with 16 carries for 71 yards.    Brandon Beech led Benedict with 10 tackles

For Stillman (4-2, 3-1 SIAC), Moise finished with 263 yards on 19-of-27 passing while carrying the ball 14 times for 18 yards.  Reese Sturgis caught three passes for 111 yards while Charles Payne caught four passes for 70 yards.  Johnson finished with 11 carries for 58 yards while Thurmon had five carries for 54 yards.  Defensively, Cameron Stallings and Robert Crosby each had nine tackles while Greg Abrams and Peter Dele had six stops.

Stillman will take to the road next week for a rivalry contest against Tuskegee University on Saturday, October 19 at 1 p.m.

Box Score

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