TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Two-high powered offenses will meet on the gridiron this Saturday when the Stillman Tigers host the Tuskegee Golden Tigers in a key SIAC Western Division matchup.

With both programs boasting a 4-2 overall record and a 3-0 record in SIAC play, Saturday's afternoon matchup is expected to go a long way in deciding which team will represent the Western Division in the SIAC Football Championship, being held in Montgomery, Alabama on November 15.

This match-up will be a dream contest for those who love numbers and for those who live for rivalry matchups.  Not only will this game feature the top two teams in the Western Division, but also statistically, the game will showcase the top two teams in scoring offense in the SIAC.  Stillman, currently the number one team in total offense will look to continue its scoring pace against Tuskegee, the number three team in total defense.  The top rushing team in the SIAC will hope that Stillman Stadium will provide the perfect backdrop against the second-stingiest rushing defense in the league.

Stillman enters the contest on a four-game win streak - the longest in the SIAC this season. Last week, Stillman defeated Benedict 48-36 in Columbia, South Carolina. Tuskegee enters the game after a 49-0 win over Morehouse in the Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic in Columbus, Georgia. Stillman and Tuskegee have met nine times since the 2005 season with Tuskegee holding an 8-1 series advantage. Last season, Tuskegee defeated Stillman 35-7 at Tuskegee. Stillman's lone series win came in head coach Teddy Keaton's first season, a 13-9 win at Tuskegee.

Stillman enters the contest as the league leader in scoring offense (32.3 points per game), total offense (434.5 yards per outing), rushing offense (204.8 yards per game), pass efficiency (161.2) and first downs (22.3 per game). The Tigers from Tuscaloosa also rank second in the SIAC in kickoff returns (22.9 yards per return). The Tigers are averaging 229.7 passing yards per contest (3rd in league) while ranking fourth in the league with seven interceptions and ninth with nine team sacks.

Junior quarterback Josh Straughan and freshman center Tyree Bell were honored by the SIAC as offensive player and offensive lineman of the week for October 13. Straughan's award was his second on the season and the third straight for the Stillman Tigers.  Senior running back Jovontae Thurman won the award for his performance in the Kentucky State game. Bell was the second consecutive Stillman Tiger offensive lineman to be honored.

Straughan (6-3, 200, Colton, Washington) completed 27-of-40 pass attempts (67.5 completion percentage) for 488 yards and five touchdowns without an interception in Stillman's 48-36 win at Benedict. He threw two touchdowns of 44 yards to open the SC's scoring also completed touchdown passes of eight, 31 and 51 yards. Saturday's passing total was the third time on the season he has thrown for more than 200 yards in a contest. Straughan has completed 44-of-67 passes (65.7%) for 780 yards and 11 touchdowns in his last two games. On the season, he has completed 60.4 percent of his pass attempts for 1,363 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Bell (6-0, 260, Fr., Centreville, Alabama) started at center for a team that amassed 700 yards of total offense (488 passing, 212 rushing) without allowing a quarterback sack in Stillman's 48-36 win at Benedict. The Tigers also garnered 29 first downs and converted on 50 percent of its 3rd down opportunities with Bell anchoring the offensive line.

Tuskegee comes into the contest as the second-ranked team in scoring offense averaging 29.7 points per contest. Tuskegee is also allowing 16.2 points per outing - second in the league. The Golden Tigers are averaging 354.3 total offensive yards per contest while allowing nearly 300 yards per contest (3rd in SIAC). The Golden Tigers are the second-stingiest defense in the league against the run, allowing 104.7 rushing yards per game.

Tuskegee is powered by an offensive backfield of Hoderick Lowe, Michael J. Thornton and quarterback Kevin Lacey.  Lowe leads the team with 57 carries for 286 yards and four touchdowns.  Thornton also has four touchdowns and 194 yards on 37 carries.  Lacey has completed 37-of-73 pass attempts for 662 yards and four touchdowns.

The matchup between Stillman and Tuskegee starts a tough, but manageable road for both ball clubs.  Tuskegee will celebrate homecoming against Kentucky State before traveling to Central State and Miles.  Stillman travels to Central State and Miles before closing the conference slate with homecoming against Clark Atlanta on November 8.