COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College Tigers won their fourth straight Homecoming game, giving the alumni an exciting 33-15 victory over Morehouse College on Saturday at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.

Playing without quarterback Cameron Stover, who sat out the game after suffering a concussion last week against Clark Atlanta, the Tigers took advantage of two Morehouse fumbles and an interception for their first home win of the season. Backup quarterback Marcus Graham completed 14 of 35 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. The Tigers rushed for 92 yards on 24 carries.

"I challenged our defense. Our quarterback was down and we put a lot of pressure on our defense because they've been playing a little inconsistent in the past three or four weeks," Benedict head coach James Woody said. "But they came out today and stopped a good football team. I was happy to see those guys hold them down to a minimum."

Benedict improves to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in the SIAC. Morehouse drops to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in the SIAC.

"I'm so happy for the football team," Woody said.

Benedict entered the fourth quarter with a slim one-touchdown lead, 16-9, over the Maroon Tigers after a Morehouse touchdown at the end of the third quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, Graham was intercepted by Jamil Irvin-Muhammad to give the ball back to Morehouse.

On third down, Rodney Hall intercepted a pass by Morehouse's Jordan Tarver and the Tigers ended up with a 38-yard field goal by Tory Mimbs for a 19-9 lead with 11:32 left to play.

Morehouse was driving on the ensuing possession and reached the Benedict 20-yard line, where Monquavious Johnson fumbled the ball. Charles Powell recovered the loose ball and returned it 39 yards. Graham completed a 23-yard pass to Maurice Griffin, then scored on a 16-yard run for a 26-9 Benedict lead with 5:24 left to play. On the very next play after the kickoff, Johnson completed a pass to Devon Mann and Hall ripped the ball out of his hands and raced 41 yards for a Benedict touchdown.

"We have not been getting interceptions lately and we challenged those guys to get some interceptions," Woody said. "They did it and the defense created some turnovers. That's what it's all about."

After the two teams punted on the first five series of the game, Morehouse tried for a fake punt on fourth-and-five and the Tigers broke up the play for a six-yard loss. From midfield, Benedict moved the ball down the field with Graham scrambling on third-and-goal and throwing across the field to Kendariss Brown in the end zone for the first score of the game.

"Marcus is a veteran guy. He understands the system. He did a great job of actually understanding the concept of the offense. He did some great things. I'm very happy for him," Woody said.

Benedict added a 30-yard field goal by Mimbs with 57 seconds left in the first half to take a 9-0 lead at the half. A crucial 15-yard pass from Graham to Jeremy Glinton on fourth-and-15 kept that drive alive.

Devonta Avery led the Benedict defense with seven tackles, while Hall had five tackles to go along with his interception and fumble return.

Benedict plays its final home game of the season next week, hosting Albany State at 2 p.m.