COLUMBIA, S.C. – Tuskegee football returns to primetime this Thursday night when the Golden Tigers travel to take on Benedict in a highly anticipated SIAC matchup at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium on ESPN+.
 
The game brings together two of the league's stronger programs, with Tuskegee looking to bounce back from its first loss of the season and Benedict attempting to get back to the top of the conference standings.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Columbia, S.C. (Charlie W. Johnson Stadium)
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Golden Tiger Sports Network (GTSN)
Live Stats: benedicttigersports.com/sidearmstats
 
ABOUT TUSKEGEE (2-1, 1-0 SIAC)
Tuskegee enters the contest coming off a 30–0 setback at FCS power Jackson State. The Golden Tigers opened the season with a pair of strong wins, edging Winston-Salem State 20–17 in the Red Tails Classic and then blanking Central State 34–0 in the first-ever night game at Abbott Memorial Stadium.
 
Through three games, Tuskegee has leaned on a defense that has forced seven turnovers and piled up 23 tackles for loss, led by Devon Irving (24 tackles, 3.0 TFLs) and Kaquan Kimber (19 tackles, 5.5 TFLs).
 
Offensively, quarterback Raequan Beal has thrown for 469 yards and four touchdowns, highlighted by a 66-yard strike to newcomer EJ Hall, who leads the team with 150 receiving yards and a touchdown. Running back Johnny Morris anchors the ground game with 105 rushing yards and one score.
 
ABOUT TUSKEGEE (2-1, 1-0 SIAC)
Benedict (2–0, 1–0 SIAC) comes in riding the momentum of consecutive shutout victories to open its title defense. The Tigers opened with a 10–0 win over Fayetteville State and followed with another 10–0 victory at Central State.
 
While the offense has averaged a modest 264.5 yards per game, the defense has been dominant, holding opponents scoreless across two contests and limiting them to just 277 yards per game.
 
Linebacker Isaiah Stephens leads the charge with 18 total tackles, while both Markell Davis and Israel Nwokocha have both added 13 stops. Offensively, quarterbacks Jackson Jensen and Darius Ocean have combined for 341 passing yards, with receiver Malik Mullins serving as the top target, averaging 87.5 yards per game.
 
This matchup is expected to be a physical battle between Tuskegee's opportunistic defense and Benedict's suffocating unit that has yet to allow a point.
 
For Tuskegee, establishing rhythm on offense will be key, especially against a defense that has forced five fumbles and tallied 12 pass breakups through two games.
 
Benedict will aim to control tempo with its short passing game and steady defense, while Tuskegee will look for explosive plays from Hall and fellow receivers to create separation.
 
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. EST under the lights in Columbia. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+, continuing Tuskegee's stretch of seven primetime appearances this season.
 
A win would give the Golden Tigers a signature road victory and early control in the SIAC race, while Benedict looks to continue its unbeaten start and extend its regular-season dominance.