September 1, 2007

Benedict Shines in Palmetto Capital City Classic

Columbia, SC – Benedict College (1-1) celebrated the Sixth Annual Palmetto Capital Classic with a 43-6 victory over Livingstone College (0-1). The Tigers hit the scoreboard first after forcing the Blue Bears backwards into the endzone for a safety. Benedict controlled the first half with a 16-0 lead and increased it to 30-0 by the third quarter.  Livingstone scored with 7:14 remaining in the 3^rd quarter off of a 36-yard pass from Steven Williams to AnThon Harris. The two-point conversion attempt failed.

In the previous classics, the event was held at the University of South Carolina’s home field Williams-Brice Stadium. After the completion of the state-of-the-art sports complex – Charles W. Johnson Stadium, the committee decided to host the festivities in its home territory. The homecoming style atmosphere attracted an attendance of 8,545 football fans.

Livingstone won the coin toss and deferred possession to the second half. The Blue Bears held the Tigers to seven yards on its first possession; but Anthony Foster punted the ball 56 yards from the Benedict-43 to the Livingstone one-yard line. Three plays later, Steven Williams was sacked for a loss of three yards back into the endzone by John Pitts for a safety (BC 2 – LC 0: clock 10:07). On the pursuing drive, the Tigers marched 42 yards in four plays to increase the lead 10-0. Markus Webb connected a 35-yard pass with Corey Gardhigh from first snap to put the ball on Livingstone’s seven yard line. On third-and-goal, Mike Taylor rushed two yards for the score with 9:02 on the clock. The two point conversion run was successful.

Thirteen seconds prior to halftime, Benedict College capped a 90-yard drive with a two-yard quarterback sneak by Markus Webb. The extra-point attempt failed leaving the halftime score Benedict 16 – Livingstone 0.

After intermission, Benedict scored with 12:46 and 9:32 on the clock for a 30-0 lead. Livingstone completed its first successful drive at 7:14 in the third quarter. Steven Williams completed a 36-yard pass to AnThon Harris for the score. Starting the drive on its 39-yard line, Williams connected with Michael Cummings for 25 yards to reach the Benedict’s 36-yard line before scoring.

The Tigers put its finishing touches on the game with two touchdowns runs with 4:15 remaining in the third quarter and 13:08 in the fourth.

Benedict commanded 413 total yards of offense on 59 plays. LC totaled 203 yards from 63 plays. The Blue Bears netted 13 rushing yards and 190 passing yards. Livingstone had 11 penalties for 104 yards while Benedict had eight for 91 yards. Steven Williams completed 17 of 29 passes for the 190 yards and one touchdown. AnThon Harris grabbed four catches for 82 yards and the score. Vanti Primus-Church totaled 11 tackles.

Livingstone will play Catawba College September 8 on the Indians campus in Shuford Stadium. Kickoff is at 7:00 pm.