Top storylines, key players as Benedict College football makes NCAA playoff debut
The Benedict College football team has made its share of history this season.
The Tigers will add to that Saturday by playing in their first playoff game in school history. Benedict will host Wingate in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Bulldogs defeated No. 14 Virginia Union 32-7 in the first round, while the Tigers had a bye and are the top seed in the region.
“We actually knew we had a special team from the beginning back in training camp,” said Benedict defensive back Fern Romero, the lone player from California on the team. “We knew we had a talented team, but the bond we have is special. We were a young team last year, going 5-5 and we didn’t fully buy into the mission. This year, everyone bought in, and it has showed.”
Wingate is enjoying its best success in program history, making its fourth playoff appearance in the past five seasons. Before 2017, the Bulldogs’ only other playoff appearance came in 2010.
The winner of the game faces the Delta State-West Florida winner next week.
Benedict vs. Wingate game info
Who: Benedict (11-0) vs. Wingate (10-2)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Where: Charlie W Johnson Stadium
Tickets: $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, $5 for seniors
Stream: ESPN+
Last HBCU left
Benedict is the last Historically Black College University left in the Division II playoffs after Fayetteville State and Virginia Union lost last week.
That’s something that isn’t lost on Benedict coach Chennis Berry.
“Football is football, but because we are in the HBCU conference, the SIAC, we want to represent this conference,” Berry said Tuesday. “We feel like we play some really good football in this conference. We put ourselves in a position where we can compete nationally, and we want to prove our worth. It is important when we step out on the field Saturday that we are not only representing Benedict College, the state of South Carolina, the SIAC but all of HBCUs.”
Top defenses on display
Wingate and Benedict have two of the top defenses in Division II this season.
Wingate is No. 1 in yards allowed per game (215.2), second in sacks per game (4.3), third in points per game (10.5).
The Tigers rank No. 5 in yards allowed per game (236.9) and points allowed per game (12.0) and sixth in defensive touchdowns (4).
Benedict offense rolling
Benedict is enjoying its best offensive stretch of the season, scoring more than 49 points in each of its last three games.
The Tigers have put up more than 450 yards or more in each of those three games.
“It is a very selfless offense. There is not one guy you can key into that you can say you can stop and shut down our offense,” Benedict running back Zaire Scotland said. “We don’t care if one man has all the success one day or the next. We just want to win. We are willing to do whatever it takes to move the ball down the field.”
NFL connection
Wingate coach Joe Reich is the brother of former Buffalo Bills quarterback and Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich.
Joe Reich is in his 22nd season as head coach for the Bulldogs and is the school’s all-time leader in victories.
What kind of crowd
There might not be as many students in attendance at Saturday’s game as normal.
Classes ended for the semester on Monday at Benedict with out-of-town students going home. Benedict’s Band of Distinction also might be a little smaller than usual. The band is playing in Thursday’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and many members will go home after that, but it will have a presence for Saturday’s game.
Benedict and Wingate Players to Watch
Eric Phoenix, QB, Benedict: Senior has completed 64.4% of his passes for 1,752 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was a second-team All-SIAC selection.
Loobert Denelus, DL, Benedict: SIAC Defensive Player of Year leads team with 49 tackles, 20.5 for loss and 13 sacks this season. The Florida native had three sacks in a game three times this season including the SIAC championship game against Tuskegee. Denelus is tied for fifth in Division II in sacks.
DJ Horne, DE, Wingate: South Atlantic Conference Defensive Player of the Year had 40.5 tackles, 15.5 for loss and 9.5 sacks this season. He had a season high three sacks against Tusculum.
Marquise Fleming, DE, Wingate: First team all-SAC, is third on team in tackles with 58 and leads team in tackles for loss with 19.5 and 10.5 sacks.
This story was originally published November 23, 2022 at 1:21 PM.
