SIAC FOOTBALL PREVIEW: WEEK FIVE

ATLANTA — The SIAC will participate in seven matchups this week, with two games televised/streamed nationally. Here’s a list of the matchups and where to watch the games.

TUSKEGEE VS. MOREHOUSE – ESPN+

Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. ET

Tuskegee will face Morehouse in the Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic on Saturday at A.J. McClung Stadium in Columbus, Ga. one of the most storied rivalries in all of Division II football.

Last week, the Golden Tigers took down Edward Waters 27-13 on the road to record their first game in the win column this season.

Morehouse struggled offensively in the 21-5 loss to Benedict at home in their last game, but a strong special teams performance kicker Seve Spruill II Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Spruill scored the teams’ only offensive points and delivered nine punts for 348 yards, including a long of 48 yards and four inside the 20-yard line.

Game History: 10-3 Tuskegee (since 2000); 75-30-7 Tuskegee (since 1902)

Team Standings: Tuskegee (1-3, 1-1 SIAC); Morehouse (1-4, 1-2 SIAC)

EDWARD WATERS VS. FORT VALLEY STATE – ESPN+

Saturday, Oct. 5 at 4 p.m. ET

Edward Waters, coming off a 27-13 loss to Tuskegee, will host Fort Valley State at Nathaniel Glover Community Field & Stadium.

 Fort Valley State enters the game following an impressive defensive performance in the 30-0 victory over Savannah State. On the other side of the ball, running back Brandon Marshall had two touchdowns and 142 total yards on 19 touches, earning Offensive Player of the Week honors.

When the two teams met last season, the game went down to the wire with four lead changes and a fourth comeback by the Wildcats in the final seconds.

Game History: 2-0 Fort Valley State (since 2009)

Team Standings: Edward Waters (1-4, 1-2 SIAC); Fort Valley State (2-2, 2-1 SIAC)

CLARK ATLANTA VS. SAVANNAH STATE – No stream available

Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. ET

Clark Atlanta will welcome Savannah State to CAU Panther Stadium this weekend with hopes of keeping the team’s undefeated streak alive.

Last week, the Panther’s streak was in jeopardy against Lane, down 11 points at halftime. However, the squad put on a second-half show, as they have all season, to defeat the Dragons 38-28.

Savannah State had a tough week against Fort Valley State last week after Hurricane Helene forced the game to relocate to Wildcat Stadium. The Tiger’s offense struggled to piece drives together suffering three turnovers and eight sacks in the 30-0 defeat.

The last time the Panthers and Tigers met, Savannah State edged out Clark Atlanta in the second half, winning 28-21.

Game History: 3-1 Savannah State (since 2019)

Team Standings: Clark Atlanta (4-0-1, 3-0 SIAC); Savannah State (1-3, 1-2 SIAC)

MILES VS. CENTRAL STATE – No stream available

Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. ET

Miles, following a 33-13 win over Allen, will welcome Central State to Albert J. H. Sloan-Alumni Stadium for Homecoming.

Golden Bears defensive lineman Keith Green, named Newcomer of the Week, posted a career-high seven tackles, two tackles for loss and half a sack in last week’s victory.

Central State will be back on the road looking for a win after a bye week.  

 The Golden Bears have defeated the Marauders in the previous three contests by double-digit margins.

Game History: 8-2 Miles (since 2013)

Team Standings: Miles (2-2, 2-0 SIAC); Central State (1-3, 1-1 SIAC)

KENTUCKY STATE VS. LANE

Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. ET

Kentucky State will host Lane at Alumni Stadium for a Homecoming showdown.

The Thorobreds are coming off a 49-21 loss to Albany State, where the offense failed to capitalize in critical moments and eventually stalled out in the second half 

Last week, Lane suffered a 38-28 loss to Clark Atlanta, marking its second consecutive season loss to SIAC opponents.

 Kentucky State holds a four-game winning streak over Lane since 2019. The Dragons’ last victory in the series came in 2018, on a 100-yard pick-six as time expired.

Game History: 15-10 Kentucky State (since 1998)

Team Standings: Kentucky State (0-5, 0-3 SIAC); Lane (1-3, 1-2 SIAC)

BENEDICT VS. NORTH GREENVILLE – No stream available

Saturday, Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. ET

Benedict will host North Greenville from the Gulf South Conference at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium in Columbia, S.C.

The Tigers are on a two-game win streak after the defense held Morehouse to negative 28 yards rushing in the 21-5 victory last week 

The teams last met in 1997; Benedict won 24-21.

Game History: 1-1 Tied Series (since 1995)

Team Standings: Benedict (2-2, 2-1 SIAC); North Greenville (1-2, 1-0 GSC)

ALLEN VS. ALBANY STATE – No stream available

Saturday, Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. ET

Allen will host Albany State at Westwood High School in Blythewood, S.C., in the final week of the team’s three-game home stand.

Last week, the Yellow Jackets couldn’t click on offense at the right times and struggled to convert third downs in the 33-13 loss to Miles. 

Albany State is looking to build on the success the team has had the last two weeks on the trip to South Carolina. The Golden Rams scored a season-high 49 points in the 49-21 victory over Kentucky State last week, exerting their dominance in the second half.

Golden Rams linebacker Marlon Pollock anchored the team’s defense with nine total tackles (six solo and three assists), two tackles for loss and a forced fumble, earning Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Last season, Allen spoiled the Golden Rams homecoming celebration with a 39-27 victory.

Game History: 1-0 Allen (since 2023)

Team Standings: Allen (1-3, 0-2 SIAC); Albany State (2-2, 2-0 SIAC)

*All team standings are as of 10/03/2024.