Malaqhi Jones scored the game-winning touchdown on an 8-yard pass from Charles “Tre” Simmons with no time left in regulation to secure a 31-28 win for Benedict College over Edward Waters on Thursday night.
After an Edward Waters punt, the Tigers took over from their own 20-yard line with just 35 seconds left in the game. Simmons threw a 19-yard pass to Shatarius Williams, then a 14-yard pass to Jalen Leary, before connecting with Jones for a 39-yard pass to the 8-yard line. Benedict had to spike the ball to stop the clock with four seconds left.
Rather than attempt a field goal and tie the game, head coach Ron Dickerson Jr. made the decision to go for a touchdown and try to win.
Benedict goes for the win and gets it on the final play of the game pic.twitter.com/wDBVKRbsYn
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) September 20, 2024
“I looked at those kids, and they told me, ‘Coach, you can count on me. We know you believe in us, and we believe in you.’ So I just went with it, and it worked out. That’s a group of young men that believed in each other, and great things happened.”
Benedict, which led at one point 23-7 before eventually falling behind, improved to 1-2 in the season and 1-1 in the SIAC. Edward Waters falls to 1-3 overall and 1-1 in the SIAC.
Jones finished the game with four receptions for 88 yards and caught three touchdowns.