The only question left in the 2022 SIAC football season is, will the Benedict College Tigers remain perfect and go to 11-0?
The SIAC Championship will take place on November 12th 2022 at the home of the undefeated Eastern Division Champions the Benedict College Tigers (10-0). The two loss Western Division Champions Tuskegee Golden Tigers (8-2) will travel to the Eastern Division Champions because it alternates between both Divisions each year.
The 2021 SIAC Championship was hosted by the Western Division Champions Miles College Golden Bears (6-5) against the Eastern Division Champions Albany State Rams (10-1). The game was won by the Rams 31-0 to win the championship. The Rams made it to the NCAA Division II playoffs but fell to the West Georgia Wolves 23-7 in the first round.
Both teams in the 2022 edition have had a tremendous season and have a chance at the NCAA Division II playoffs. This should go down to the wire as both teams come into the game with at least an eight-game win streak.
TUSKEGEE GOLDEN TIGERS HEAD COACH
Athletic Director and Head Coach Reginald Ruffin got both positions on December 21, 2021. He announced in June that this season will be his last coaching the Golden Tigers.
Coach Ruffin returned to Tuskegee after tremendous success at Miles College. In nine seasons as the head coach of the Golden Bears, Ruffin led the program to six SIAC championships appearances 2011, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2021 and also winning the title four times 2011, 2015, 2018 and 2019. He was also named SIAC Coach of the Year three times in 2011, 2015 and 2019. The Golden Bears also made two NCAA postseason appearances in 2012 and 2019.
The championship experience that Coach Ruffin brings with him will be a definite advantage for the Tuskegee Golden Lions. With this being possibly the last time, he is on the sidelines the Golden Lions will bring their “A” game.
Once the season is over Coach Aaron James will take over as head coach.
TUSKEGEE OFFENSIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
The Golden Tigers score an average of 28 points a game. The offense is led by QB Bryson Williams who had a great game against Lane College where he went 13-18 for 217 yards and two touchdowns and only one pick. He also ran for 40 yards and another two touchdowns. He will be looking to have another performance like the one against Lane in the championship game.
To win the championship it must be a total team effort. RB Taurean Taylor rushed for 790 yards and eight touchdowns this season and RB Donte Edwards rushed for 674 yards and seven touchdowns this season. WR Antonio Meeks caught 28 passes for 516 yards and four touchdowns and WR Corey Petty caught 23 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns all this season.
K Arnes Huskic leads the team in scoring with 57 points. He is 9 of 16 with a long of 42 yards. He might be the difference maker for the Golden Lions.
TUSKEGEE DEFENSIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
The Golden Tigers defense allows 25 points a game. The defense is led by LB Vincent Hill who had 63 tackles and two sacks this season. DL Jeremy Dees had 53 tackles and four sacks with a forced fumble. DB Malik Moore also had 53 tackles and one sack with two interceptions.
The defense is part of the reason for the eight-game winning streak. This is a classic bend but don’t break defense whether it is a shootout against Clark Atlanta University or dominant performance like the one against Kentucky State University.
In most championship games someone steps up that has not been a star all season and sometimes he just needs a stage.
The 2022 SIAC Championship Game will be played on November 12, 2022 at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium in Columbia, SC at 2pm. The game will also be televised on ESPN 3
BENEDICT COLLEGE TIGERS HEAD COACH
Head Coach Chennis Berry has got the Tigers with an undefeated season. It was not always that easy, in 2019 he took over a team that went 1-9 in 2019.
Coach Berry was the Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator of the Southern Jaguars from 2013-2020. In 2013 he guided the offense that won the SWAC Championship. He also won the SWAC West Division in 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2019.
This is the 13th matchup since 1997 between these two schools at it has been dominated by Tuskegee Golden Tigers winning the past 12 games. The Golden Tigers have held Benedict under 18 points each time but in the 2022 season they only scored under 18 points once in a shutout victory against Lane College. This high-powered offense has scored over 40 points three times this season and over 50 pts twice this season.
Coach Berry has made his presence felt in a short period of time and with a victory in the championship game they will definitely be a high seed and possibly host a NCAA Division II playoff game.
BENEDICT OFFENSIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
The Benedict Tigers scored an average of 36 points a game this season. The offense is led by QB Eric Phoenix he is 126 of 196 for 1,439 yards with 12 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He had a great game Kentucky State going 14 of 24 for 188 yards and four touchdowns. The Tigers will definitely be looking for a repeat performance in the championship game.
The rushing attack is well balanced with RB Noah Zaire Scotland going for 544 yards and six touchdowns. RB Deondra Duehart has 474 yards with eight touchdowns. RB Da’Von Smith rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns. RB Jaylen Taylor had 144 yards and four touchdowns.
The passing attack is just as balanced WR Reginald Harden has 18 receptions for 454 yards and four touchdowns. WR Jayden Thomas has 22 receptions for 320 yards and three touchdowns. WR Tayven Grice has 27 receptions for 264 yards with two touchdowns. WR Billy Pierre tacked on with six catches for 43 yards and three touchdowns.
BENEDICT DEFENSIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
The Benedict Tigers defense allows only 11 points a game. The defense is led by DE Loobert Denelus who has 44 tackles and 10 sacks. DL John Hannibal who has 43 tackles and two and a half sacks. DL Curtis Williams has 39 tackles and one and a half sacks. LB Dedrick Starkes has 38 tackles and one interception. DB Olajuwone Smith has 35 tackles with two interceptions this season.
The defense has been stingy all year to opposing offenses and will look to continue that performance to remain undefeated on the season. This should be a classic championship game.
The 2022 SIAC Championship Game will be played on November 12, 2022 at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium in Columbia, SC at 2pm. The game will also be televised on ESPN 3
In other news the SWAC Championship is heating up in the coming weeks.
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