Benedict beats Albany State 29-8 behind defense, record-setting kicker

ALBANY — David Bowser reached for the Book of Job to explain his football season Saturday. After another afternoon of injuries and frustration, the Albany State coach could identify with a man whose troubles kept multiplying.

His starting quarterback lasted one series. His starting center left on crutches. Three freshmen played on the offensive line against a Benedict defense equipped to make their education uncomfortable.

The result was a 29-8 loss that dropped the Golden Rams to 3-5 overall and 3-3 in the SIAC. Bowser saw the shortcomings. He also saw players working through circumstances few of them had faced before.

“You’re watching young players grow up in real time,” he said.

That growth came against the nation’s No. 23 team, which improved to 7-1 and 5-1 by holding ASU to 152 yards, forcing three turnovers and allowing just two conversions on 18 third downs.

Albany State beat Benedict three times last season, creating expectations that have followed a substantially different team into this fall.

“People think it is the same team from last year, but it’s not,” Bowser said.

Saturday’s injuries widened that personnel gap. Quarterback Jeffery Davis injured his nonthrowing shoulder on the opening series, although Bowser expects him back against Clark Atlanta. Center Tyrus Brown, whom Bowser identified as the offensive line’s lone returning starter, also departed.

Those losses left Vinson Berry directing an offense struggling to protect its quarterback and establish a running game. Berry completed 9 of 27 passes for 92 yards with two interceptions, an effort Bowser praised given the circumstances.

Even as the offense searched for footing, ASU’s defense kept the opening quarter scoreless. Benedict’s breakthrough came from a player who repeatedly turned defensive stops into points.

Zane Spires opened the second quarter with a 53-yard field goal and closed the half with a school-record 54-yarder. Between those kicks, JaHaven Phillips returned a fumble 30 yards for a touchdown and David Smith broke a 50-yard scoring run.

The resulting 20-0 halftime deficit grew to 23-0 when Spires connected from 48 yards in the third quarter. Bowser called the kicker exceptional, crediting him with producing nine points from distances few conference opponents could manage.

ASU finally answered in the fourth quarter. Berry’s 31-yard completion to Jaquan Graham helped launch an 11-play, 77-yard drive that Roderick McCrary finished with a 1-yard touchdown run with 8:52 remaining.

The failed conversion left ASU trailing 23-6, and that deficit shaped Bowser’s next gamble. Facing fourth-and-2 deep in his territory with about four minutes remaining, he kept the offense out.

The Rams fell short. A’chean Durant scored from 10 yards on Benedict’s next play.

“That one was on me,” Bowser said. “I didn’t feel like punting with four minutes left was a smart move.”

A late safety completed the scoring, leaving Bowser to weigh the mistakes against the effort he continued to see. Derrick Drayton and Ricky McCrary led ASU with seven tackles apiece. Bowser also praised Chancie Brown, Jayden Thompson and punter Jonathan Rodriguez.

“For a bunch of young kids to battle the way they did shows we’ve got the right people in place,” he said.

With a trip to Clark Atlanta next Saturday at 2 p.m., a 5-5 finish remains possible. That falls short of expectations, Bowser acknowledged, but gives his young team something to pursue.

His message: Keep competing, keep improving and finish strong.