SIAC Football Race Heats Up With Six Key Matchups in Week 8

Conference contenders look to protect their positions as homecoming celebrations, rivalry rematches and postseason stakes headline October 24.

ATLANTA — The race for position in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is tightening, and Saturday’s six-game schedule could bring another shakeup as teams push toward the finish of the regular season.

Benedict heads to Albany State looking to build on a major victory, Kentucky State hosts Savannah State with momentum on its side, and Edward Waters returns home seeking a response after its first conference loss. Central State and Miles meet after a week off, while Fort Valley State welcomes Lane and Tuskegee travels to Allen.

According to the SIAC’s Week 8 release, Edward Waters, Kentucky State and Benedict hold the top three spots in the initial NCAA Division II Super Region Two NPI rankings. Central State sits eighth, adding another conference program to the region’s top 10.

With several contenders closely grouped in the conference race, Saturday offers opportunities to gain ground and little room for costly mistakes.

Benedict Looks to Break Through Against Albany State

Benedict enters its road matchup at Albany State with a 6–1 overall record and a 4–1 conference mark after defeating Edward Waters 45–24. The Tigers rushed for 238 yards in that victory, handing Edward Waters its first SIAC loss of the season.

Now comes a matchup with a program that repeatedly stood in Benedict’s way last year. Albany State defeated the Tigers three times in 2025, including wins in the SIAC Championship Game and the NCAA Division II playoffs.

The Golden Rams enter Saturday at 3–4 overall and 3–2 in conference play following a 17–14 loss to Tuskegee. Their defense will face a Benedict rushing attack averaging 210.1 yards per game, led by David Smith, Christopher Johnson and A’chean Durant.

Albany State quarterback Jeffery Davis has thrown for 1,294 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception. Protecting him against a Benedict defense allowing just 18.3 points per game will be essential as the Golden Rams try to deliver a Senior Day victory.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

Kentucky State Aims to Keep Rolling on Senior Day

Kentucky State has outscored its last two opponents 101–22 and enters Saturday’s home game against Savannah State at 6–2 overall and 5–1 in the SIAC.

The Thorobreds followed a 46–0 win over Miles with a 55–22 victory against Lane. Quarterback Juan Gainous has thrown for 1,526 yards and 12 touchdowns with only one interception, while receiver Darius Cyprian leads the receiving corps with 51 catches for 766 yards and seven scores.

Savannah State, now 1–6 overall and 1–5 in conference play, is looking to turn sustained drives into touchdowns. The Tigers rushed for 162 yards and controlled possession for more than 35 minutes against Fort Valley State last week, but three field goals accounted for all their scoring in a 22–9 loss.

Kentucky State won last season’s meeting 37–20 and leads the series 7–6. Saturday’s Senior Day game begins at 1 p.m. ET on the SIAC Network.

Fort Valley State Hosts Lane During Homecoming

Fort Valley State returns home with a chance to earn consecutive victories after beating Savannah State 22–9.

The Wildcats, 2–4 overall and 1–3 in the SIAC, scored the final 14 points of that game while holding Savannah State without a touchdown. They now welcome a winless Lane team for homecoming and a Gold Out at Wildcat Stadium.

Lane enters at 0–8 overall and 0–6 in conference play amid a leadership change. Head coach Stanley Conner stepped down October 20, and athletic director Jeremy C. Patterson will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Patterson previously worked as Lane’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. His first assignment is helping the Dragons regroup against a Fort Valley State team that won last year’s meeting 23–19.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on the SIAC Network.

Tuskegee Seeks Another Win as Allen Celebrates Its Seniors

Tuskegee and Allen arrive at Saturday’s matchup after very different endings to their previous games.

The Golden Tigers improved to 3–4 overall and 3–2 in the SIAC when Bryson McGrew connected with Ean Nation for a 13-yard touchdown with 2:51 remaining to defeat Albany State 17–14.

Allen suffered a 17–14 loss to Clark Atlanta after allowing the winning touchdown with 15 seconds left. The Yellow Jackets enter at 2–5 overall and 1–4 in conference play.

Finishing scoring opportunities will be a priority for Allen, which reached the red zone four times against Clark Atlanta but scored on only two of those possessions. Tuskegee will look for another strong defensive performance after recording four sacks and 10 tackles for loss against Albany State.

Allen has won three of the last four meetings, including a 28–13 victory last season. Saturday’s Senior Day game begins at 2 p.m. ET at Westwood High School in Columbia, South Carolina, with coverage on the SIAC Network.

Edward Waters Looks to Respond Against Clark Atlanta

Edward Waters returns to Jacksonville for homecoming determined to recover from its 45–24 loss at Benedict.

The Tigers remain firmly in the conference race at 5–2 overall and 4–1 in SIAC play. Quarterback Tavion Faulk threw for 349 yards and two touchdowns last week, but Edward Waters could not overcome a 35–3 halftime deficit.

Clark Atlanta arrives at 2–5 overall and 2–3 in the conference after ending a four-game losing streak against Allen. Dae’Jeaun Dennis scored the winning touchdown in the closing seconds, while Trayvon Pinder rushed for 96 yards and a score.

The Panthers’ ability to run the football and sustain possessions could be critical against Edward Waters’ productive passing attack. For the Tigers, a stronger defensive start will be a priority after surrendering 238 rushing yards at Benedict.

Edward Waters won last season’s matchup 28–27. Saturday’s game begins at 2 p.m. ET on the SIAC Network.

Central State and Miles Return From Byes With Plenty at Stake

Central State brings a four-game conference winning streak into Fairfield, where Miles will try to bounce back from its shutout loss to Kentucky State.

Both teams were idle last weekend. Central State enters at 4–3 overall and 4–1 in the SIAC, while Miles stands at 3–4 and 3–2.

Quarterback Jackson Wasik has fueled Central State’s offense with 2,033 passing yards and 23 touchdowns against just three interceptions. In the Marauders’ most recent game, he threw for 319 yards and four touchdowns in a 27–19 win over Tuskegee.

Miles will need to protect the football after committing four turnovers in its 46–0 loss to Kentucky State. Its secondary could also play a major role against Wasik, with Antonio White Jr. leading the Golden Bears with three interceptions.

Last season, Miles erased a 21–0 halftime deficit to defeat Central State 28–24. The Marauders now have an opportunity to reverse that result and strengthen their position before upcoming games against Edward Waters and Benedict.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET, 2 p.m. CT, on ESPN+.