Benedict, coming off big season, aims higher in 2018

Just two years removed from an 0-10 run in 2015, The Tigers were two overtime road losses shy of going unbeaten in 2017. With Mike White entering his fourth year as head coach, Benedict looks to edge closer to the other side of perfection, and a shot at the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) championship.

Conditioning will be key.

“We had several games in overtime that didn’t go our way, and that’s something we wanted to concentrate on,” White said during preseason practice. “I’m hoping that the training that we’ve done in practice will carry over to the fourth quarter this year.”

Benedict is a preseason pick to place second in the SIAC, behind Albany State. The Tigers return 16 starters, nine on offense and seven on a defense that was ranked fifth overall among NCAA Division II schools.

“I hope it’s an exciting year,” White said. “I hope we can draw some more fans out and just have the best year ever.”

Key Players

Dominique Harris, 6-4, 265, QB, Junior: The large-framed Harris played in just five games last year, but was 56-for-111 in passing for 631 yards and 3 touchdowns with 3 interceptions. He also rushed 48 times for 188 yards and eight scores.

Justin Brown, 6-2, 337, OL, Junior: Named to the preseason All-SIAC squad in 2018, in addition to being a second-team HBCU All-American and a second-team All-South Region selection.

Xavier George, 5-9, 205, LB, Sophomore: George was the leading tackler last year, with 48 stops and 7.5 tackles for loss.

Can’t miss games

Florida Tech, Columbia, Sept. 1: Opening day likely will have the Tigers looking revved up and excited for a promising season.

Fort Valley State, Columbia, Sept. 23: The Palmetto Capital City Classic plays out in midseason, featuring a SIAC rival that played for the SIAC championship last year.

Albany State, Columbia, Oct. 27, 2 p.m.: This game could decide the SIAC championship, as White’s former team goes up against a much-improved Benedict defense.

2018 Schedule

Sept. 1 Florida Tech, Charlie W. Johnson Stadium 6 p.m.

Sept. 8 at Johnson C. Smith University 6 p.m.

Sept. 15 at Fayetteville State University 4 p.m.

Sept. 23 Fort Valley State University, Charlie W. Johnson Stadium 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 29 at Central State University1 p.m.

Oct. 6 Virginia University of Lynchburg, Charlie W. Johnson Stadium 2 p.m.

Oct. 13 at Clark Atlanta University 2 p.m.

Oct. 20 Morehouse College, Charlie W. Johnson Stadium 2 p.m.

Oct. 27 Albany State University, Charlie W. Johnson Stadium 2 p.m.

Nov. 3 at Kentucky State University 2 p.m.

This story was originally published August 25, 2018 at 8:11 AM.