The Albany State Golden Rams advance to the regional finals of the football playoffs of the a 14-12 second round win over the Benedict Tigers.
As a result, the Golden Rams improve their overall record to 12-1. Setting a new school record for wins in a season.
Albany State completes a three-game sweep against Benedict, having previously beaten them 31-3 in Week 9 of the regular season 22-16 in the SIAC championship game.
All-SIAC Quarterback Isaiah Knowles finished with 244 passing yards on 19-of-29 passing and a touchdown. He also recorded the team’s only rushing touchdown.
Jamil Williams, the Golden Rams’ leading receiver, had six passes for 112 yards, accounting for the team’s receiving touchdown.
The Benedict defense turned in a big performance to give the team a chance to win, forcing six sacks and two turnovers.
After giving up a touchdown on the Golden Rams’ second drive, the Weapons Stage of Benedict’s defense hindered ASU’s offense, which allowed five-digit yards on ASU’s next nine drives.
That included three possessions in which the Golden Rams were limited to negative yardage, handing the ball to the Tigers.
The Golden Rams are making history with a single season record of 12 wins! Congratulations to Coach Quinn Gray and the team!!#Creatinglegacies | #Allin | # Fight2fini5h pic.twitter.com/9fbn5tgqzg
— Golden Ram Athletics (@asugoldenrams) 29 November 2025
However, the offensive struggles met the Tigers all game as they were limited to a season-high 46 passing yards on 29% completion.
With four starters in Albany State’s territory, Benedict managed just two field goals, including a fumble forced to punt the game.
With 7:41 left in the fourth quarter, QB hit a QB keeper to give the Golden Rams a 14-6 lead.
That score was set up by a partially entrepreneurial conduct penalty, when a Benedict defender took off Williams’ helmet after he tackled a reception for 15 yards.
Benedict’s back-to-back offensive possession ended with a nine-yard touchdown run by running back David Smith, 9-12 to make it 14-12 on the clock.
Going for a two-point conversion after the score, the Tigers went for a pass in the back of the enzone, but it was incomplete.
The play was met with controversy, as head coach Ron Dickerson said a pass interference penalty should have been called, but none resulted.
Albany State would get the ball back and not give it up, Knuari completed a 21-yard pass to Stewart with two minutes left to give the team a first down and effectively end the game.
The Golden Rams will now advance to the Division II national quarterfinals, marking the fourth time in school history and first since 2010 that they have done so.
In the second round, they will compete for a spot in the semifinals in a series at Newberry, the first time it has been held at three-seeded Newberry, who beat Newberry twice 24-17 on the road at two doubles.
This is Newberry’s second Division II playoff game against a SIAC opponent, defeating Kentucky State 45-24 in the first round.
