Box Score
ALBANY, Ga. – The Albany State Golden Rams scored 31 straight second-half points and dashed Benedict College's hopes for an Eastern Division championship with a 31-6 victory over the Tigers on Saturday.

Benedict's injury-depleted defense held the Golden Rams scoreless in the first half, including a key stop on fourth-and-inches and had a 6-0 lead at the break. But the Golden Rams finally scored on a 24-yard pass late in the third quarter, then added 24 points in the fourth quarter, including a 48-yard interception return for a touchdown for the final score with 3:24 left in the game.

Benedict falls to 4-5 on the season and 2-2 in the SIAC. Albany State improved to 4-4 overall and 3-0 in the SIAC.

"I thought the defense played very well. The defense was on the field too long in the second half," Benedict coach James Woody said.

Benedict gave up 349 yards to the Golden Rams, most coming in the second half. Benedict struggled offensively, gaining 219 total yards. Quarterback Brandon Thompson completed 9-of-25 passes for 87 yards and threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown. The Tigers also had 12 penalties for 169 yards.

"We didn't do anything in the second half. We can't win football games like that against a great defense. I'm really disappointed in the offense," Woody said.  "The defense played their hearts out the first, second and beginning of the third quarter. They ran out of gas and it took its toll."

On their opening series, the Tigers drove 67 yards to the Albany State 20, where Eduardo Hernandez kicked a 36-yard field goal.

Neither team could muster much offense for the rest of the first half until Albany State's Quintory Braswell dropped a punt and Benedict recovered at the 24-yard line. The Tigers moved the ball to the 11, but then missed on three straight passes and Hernandez kicked a 28-yard field goal for a 6-0 halftime lead.

The second half was a different story. The Tigers managed just four first downs in the second half, with two coming on one drive. Meanwhile, the Golden Rams drove 65 yards for their first touchdown, then had a long 73-yard drive in the fourth quarter after recovering a Thompson fumble. The Golden Rams had a first-and-goal at the Benedict 7, but the Tiger defense held Albany State out of the end zone and the Golden Rams settled for a 20-yard field goal for a 17-6 lead with 7:46 left in the game.

The Golden Rams struck quick on their next series. A 35-yard pass from Frank Rivers to Tevon Isom put the Tigers in the red zone, and then scored on an 18-yard pass from Rivers to Jaquan Williams for a 24-6 lead with 6:02 left.

The Tigers were trying to move the ball on their next series, but Thompson's deep pass was intercepted by Kelderion Miller, who returned it 48 yards for a touchdown.

"Albany State found some weak spots and they took advantage. We tried to hide them, but they did a good job of making second half adjustments and finding our weaknesses," Woody said. "Defensively, they shut us down. They controlled the line of scrimmage. We couldn't get the running game going; we couldn't get the passing game going. I'm proud of this football team. We can finish up .500, and I think that's pretty darn good for this football team."

The Tigers wrap up the 2013 season next Saturday at home against Lane. Kickoff is 2 p.m.