Turnovers and Run Game Struggles Cost Panthers in Loss to Benedict

In just their second meeting since 2022, Clark Atlanta and Benedict College squared off at Panther Stadium on Saturday. The Tigers walked away with a commanding 59-24 victory.

Benedict set the tone from the opening whistle. Jaxson Williams returned the kickoff for a touchdown and minutes later Bryce Conover found Malik Mullins for a 3-yard score. Two touchdowns in the first five minutes left the Panthers on their heels. Clark Atlanta struggled to get anything going in the first quarter, managing only a field goal while Benedict stormed to a 28-3 lead.

The second quarter told a different story. The Panthers began to find life behind quarterback Xzavier Jackson. He connected twice with Chryshawn Sellers and once with Ronnie West, sparking a run that brought Clark Atlanta within four at 28-24. With just 1:46 left in the half the game suddenly felt within reach. But Benedict silenced that momentum in one play with a 67-yard touchdown strike from Darius Ocean to Charles Simmons. Just like that, the Tigers carried a 35-24 lead into halftime.

Despite going into the third quarter with some momentum from the comeback push in the second, the Panthers fell flat after the break. Benedict delivered a crushing 75-yard touchdown run by Triston Morgan and Clark Atlanta’s offense mirrored the struggles of the first quarter. The Tigers added a field goal to take a 45-24 lead into the final frame.

The fourth quarter sealed Clark Atlanta’s fate. An interception and a fumble recovery gave Benedict two more scores, stretching the margin to 59-24. The Panthers never reached the end zone in the second half, watching the game slip further and further out of reach.

Despite being beat in convincing fashion, Clark Atlanta had nearly twice as many first downs 28-15 as Benedict and had nearly 13 more minutes in time of possession. Once again, the Panthers failed to crack 100 rushing yards, managing just 79 on 42 attempts for a 1.9 average per carry. 388 of their 467 total yards came in the air. The lack of a rushing game has been an Achilles heel for the Panthers. Coach Arthur Williams says they will continue to work on it to have a more balanced offense. Three lost fumbles also made the difference in the outcome of the game.

CAU is now 2-3 on the season and will face Albany State on Saturday October 11 at 1 pm at Albany State University Coliseum. The game will air on ESPN+.