Albany State Golden Rams defeat Benedict in SIAC East showdown

AUGUSTA, Georgia -- Quarterback Caleb Edmonds was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2016 Augusta City Classic after going 21-for-29 for 194 yards and three touchdowns and leading Albany State to a 34-7 victory over Benedict College. With the win, Albany State improves to 5-3 overall and 4-1 in the SIAC. The Tigers fall to 4-5, 3-3.

ASU's triumph over Benedict also keeps the Golden Rams in first place in the SIAC East Division. Fort Valley State defeated Morehouse College 24-16 on Saturday to move to 2-1 in the division. Those two wins by the archrivals sets up a divisional championship game in this year's Fountain City Classic on Nov. 5.

Running back Mack Green started Albany State in the right direction with the first highlight of the first quarter. Green returned the opening kick 75 yards into Benedict territory to set up the Golden Rams' first scoring drive. Three plays, 17 yards and 1:52 later, Edmonds found Quadrey Simmons in the end zone for a touchdown. Emilio Maldonado added the PAT, and ASU led 7-0 with 13:08 left in the stanza.

The Golden Rams would find the end zone again less than 10 minutes later. McKinley Habersham's 5-yard touchdown ended a 12-play, 88-yard drive that used 5:43. Maldonado's extra point gave ASU a 14-0 edge at the 3:58 mark.

In the second quarter, Edmonds scored on a 4-yard with 8:40 left, and Maldonado added the PAT to give Albany State a 21-0 advantage. The drive went nine plays for 43 yards in 4:36.

Maldonado also helped the Golden Rams extend their lead in the second period. He connected on a 39-yard field goal at the 5:38 mark to give the visiting team a 24-0. Maldonado made another field goal, this time from 40 yards, and provided ASU with a 27-0 lead at halftime.

Benedict avoided a shutout when quarterback Phillip Brown found Okechi Ntiasagwe for a 30-yard touchdown to end the team's 5-play, 70-yard drive that used 2:06. Tory Mimbs made the PAT.

Edmonds completed the game scoring with 3:34 remaining in the third. He sprinted 38 yards for another touchdown to complete a 3-play, 47-yard drive that used 1:28 and give the Golden Rams a 34-7 lead.

Edmonds also finished the game with 10 rushes for 48 yards. Wide receiver Ta'Keevian Harris recorded five receptions for 40 yards for the Albany State "Gold Rush" Offense that used balance to tally a total of 360 yards.

Defensively, Emmauel Brown led the way with six solo tackles and a sack. Nick Scott and Zavondric Shingleton each added four solo tackles. The "Dirty Blue" Defense held the Tigers to only 185 yards for the game.

George Myers, Jr. led the Benedict offense with 81 yards on 12 rushes. Brown finished 9-of-20 for 91 yards.

The Tiger defense had two players who reached double digits in tackles. Edward Kirkland and Stephen Williams each had 10 tackles. Both players also had seven solo tackles.

Albany State will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 5 when it travels to Columbus, Ga. to face archrival Fort Valley State in the 27th Annual Fountain City Classic. The winner will win the SIAC East Division crown and earn a spot in the 2016 SIAC championship game. Game time is set for 2 p.m. at A.J. McClung Stadium.

Around The SIAC- Saturday, October 29th
Albany State 34, Benedict 7
Fort Valley State 24, Morehouse 16
Lane 35, Kentucky State 21
Tuskegee 42, Central State 14
Miles 34, Clark Atlanta 17

COURTESY ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS