We Speak College Football

Benedict Rallies From 24 Points Down to Beat Kentucky State 52-45 in Overtime and Win the SIAC Championship

Published

27 minutes ago

November 15, 2026

A Benedict receiver in a purple jersey leaps high above a Kentucky State defender to catch the football during the SIAC Championship game.

A Benedict receiver climbs above a Kentucky State defender to pull down a catch during the Tigers' 52-45 overtime win over Kentucky State in the SIAC Championship. Photo by KJ Butler.

Benedict College is a champion again. The Tigers came back from 24 points down on Saturday in Columbia, beating Kentucky State 52-45 in overtime to win the SIAC Championship, the third conference title in program history, and the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs came with it.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — November 14, 2026

What started as a competitive conference championship matchup turned into an unforgettable day at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium, as Benedict College delivered a remarkable comeback to defeat Kentucky State 52-45 in overtime, capturing its third conference football championship in program history.

With the SIAC Championship on the line, both teams came out ready to compete. The opening quarter featured an evenly matched battle, with both offenses finding opportunities while the defenses worked to establish control. Benedict struck first, taking a 14-7 lead into the second quarter.

Kentucky State Takes Over

However, the momentum quickly shifted in favor of Kentucky State.

The Thorobreds delivered a dominant second quarter, outscoring Benedict 17-0 before continuing their offensive surge in the third. Kentucky State eventually built a 24-point lead after putting together 31 unanswered points, leaving the Tigers with a mountain to climb.

The Comeback

But Benedict wasn’t ready to surrender its championship hopes.

Benedict's quarterback in a purple No. 3 jersey leaps over a diving Kentucky State defender while carrying the football. — *Benedict’s quarterback hurdles a diving Kentucky State tackler as the Tigers rally in the SIAC Championship. Photo by KJ Butler.*

The Tigers found another gear in the fourth quarter, putting together a furious comeback and scoring 24 points in the final period to pull even at 45-45. After trailing by as many as 24 points, Benedict had turned what appeared to be a comfortable Kentucky State victory into a championship thriller.

A Wild Final Minute

The final minute of regulation brought even more drama.

With approximately one minute remaining, Kentucky State punted the ball to Benedict, but the Tigers muffed the return, giving the Thorobreds another opportunity to steal the game. Kentucky State moved into position to score, but Benedict’s defense came up with a crucial stop, keeping the Thorobreds out of the end zone.

Benedict's No. 13 in a purple jersey leaps to catch the football with two Kentucky State defenders closing in and fans behind the sideline wall. — *Benedict’s No. 13 pulls down a catch between two Kentucky State defenders during the championship game. Photo by KJ Butler.*

With Kentucky State out of timeouts, clock management became critical. A delay-of-game penalty with nine seconds remaining resulted in a 10-second runoff, sending the game into overtime. The sequence proved costly for the Thorobreds, as a late-game miscommunication and clock-management mishap ended their opportunity to attempt a field goal before regulation expired.

Overtime Decides It

One more possession would determine the championship.

In overtime, Benedict wasted little time making its opportunity count. Quarterback Glenn Foreman connected with Demetris McKelvey on a touchdown pass, giving the Tigers the advantage and putting the pressure squarely on Kentucky State.

Two Benedict defenders collide with a Kentucky State ball carrier in the end zone, knocking the carrier's helmet into the air, with the Benedict band in the background. — *Benedict’s defense delivers a hit that knocks a Kentucky State helmet loose in the end zone during the SIAC Championship. Photo by KJ Butler.*

The Thorobreds were unable to match the score, and Benedict’s sideline erupted in celebration.

After overcoming a 24-point deficit, surviving a dramatic final minute, and finishing the job in overtime, the Tigers walked away with a 52-45 victory and their third conference football championship in program history.

At Charlie W. Johnson Stadium, fans witnessed a comeback that will forever be remembered.

What Is Next

Benedict’s season rolls on into the NCAA Division II playoffs. The SIAC championship carries the conference’s automatic bid, and the Tigers entered the weekend as the No. 1 team in Super Region Two. Benedict learns its first-round opponent at the NCAA Division II selection show on Sunday, November 15 at 6 p.m. ET, with first-round games set for Saturday, November 21.

Kentucky State’s season is not finished either. The Thorobreds close at 8-3 after their first SIAC title game appearance since 2016, and they are expected to land an at-large playoff berth when the bracket is revealed on Sunday night. If their name is called, their first-round game is also Saturday, November 21.

Photo Gallery

Photos by KJ Butler.

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We Speak College Football

McCown Throws Four Touchdowns as Lamar Tops East Texas A&M 45-26 for a School-Record Ninth Win

Published

47 minutes ago

November 15, 2026

Julie Isbell

Lamar's quarterback in a red No. 2 jersey throws a pass during the game against East Texas A&M.

Lamar's quarterback fires downfield during a four-touchdown afternoon for the Cardinals' passing game. Photo by Julie Isbell.

Lamar turned Senior Day into a record-setting afternoon on Saturday, riding four touchdown passes from Aiden McCown to a 45-26 Southland Conference win over East Texas A&M at Provost Umphrey Stadium in Beaumont.

A Lamar ball carrier in a red jersey is wrapped up by two East Texas A&M defenders in white jerseys during the game at Provost Umphrey Stadium. — *East Texas A&M defenders wrap up a Lamar ball carrier during Saturday’s Southland game in Beaumont. Photo by Julie Isbell.*

The win was Lamar’s ninth of the season, a new single-season school record for wins as a four-year institution, and the Cardinals’ seventh in Southland play, also a school record. Lamar, ranked No. 8 in the AFCA FCS poll and tied for No. 7 in the Stats Perform poll, finished its regular-season home schedule undefeated and will be no worse than tied for first place in the Southland standings.

Cardinals Strike First and Strike Fast

Lamar scored the game’s first two touchdowns to build a 14-0 lead before East Texas A&M got on the scoreboard, and the Cardinals kept their foot down late in the first half. McCown capped a seven-play, 61-yard drive with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Blake Thomas with 28 seconds left in the half, and when the Lions fumbled the ensuing kickoff and De’Kelvion Beamon recovered, McCown found Jaydn Girard from 18 yards out two plays later. Lamar went to the locker room up 31-7.

Lamar’s quarterback hands the ball off at the line of scrimmage in front of the Provost Umphrey Stadium stands. — *Lamar’s offense goes to work at the line of scrimmage in front of the home crowd. Photo by Julie Isbell.*

McCown finished 17-of-29 for 275 yards and four touchdowns, connecting with six different receivers, and he also led the Cardinals on the ground with 54 yards on nine carries. Thomas caught four passes for 100 yards and two scores, from 19 and 29 yards out, while Girard hauled in a game-high five passes for 66 yards. Kyndon Fuselier caught McCown’s fourth touchdown pass. Lamar piled up 401 yards of total offense, 275 through the air and 126 on the ground.

The Lions Refuse to Fold

East Texas A&M trailed 38-13 midway through the third quarter, but the Lions scored the next 13 points to pull within 12 with just under 12 minutes to play, turning a runaway into a fight. Lamar’s defense bent in the second half but still held the Lions to 350 total yards and only 51 rushing yards on the day. Senior Andrew Huff led the effort with seven tackles and an assisted sack, and Christian Booker added four tackles and a sack.

East Texas A&M’s quarterback in a white jersey throws a pass in front of the Lions’ sideline. — *East Texas A&M’s quarterback lets it fly as the Lions tried to rally in the second half. Photo by Julie Isbell.*

“It wasn’t the prettiest of games, but a win is a win,” Lamar head coach Pete Rossomando said. “We knew coming in that they had a good defense they were going to fight for the full 60 minutes. They made a run in the second half, but I felt like we responded in the fourth quarter.”

Lamar Slams the Door

A Lamar runner in a red jersey carries the ball into a hit from East Texas A&M’s No. 3 near the sideline, with a referee and the first-down marker behind them. — *A Lamar runner meets East Texas A&M’s defense near the sideline during the Cardinals’ 45-26 win. Photo by Julie Isbell.*

Respond is exactly what the Cardinals did. Lamar turned back to its ground game and answered at the 8:40 mark of the fourth quarter, when senior running back Parker Jenkins punched it in from nine yards out to cap a five-play, 58-yard drive and restore the cushion at 45-26. The Lions never scored again.

The loss drops East Texas A&M to 3-8 overall and 3-5 in the Southland, while Lamar moves to 9-2 overall and 7-1 in conference play with one week left in the regular season.

A Lamar ball carrier in a red No. 23 jersey runs with the football while East Texas A&M’s No. 0 gives chase behind him. — *A Lamar ball carrier turns upfield with an East Texas A&M defender in pursuit. Photo by Julie Isbell.*

What Is Next

Lamar closes the regular season on Saturday, November 21, with the annual Battle of the Border rivalry game at McNeese, kicking off at 3 p.m. at Cowboy Stadium. There is more than bragging rights on the line: the Cardinals head across the border chasing a share of their first Southland Conference title since 1971. East Texas A&M wraps up its season the same day at home against Incarnate Word, looking to send the Lions out with a fourth win.