The Albany State football team started off the SIAC Championship game by driving the ball down the field with Tiant Wyche scoring a rushing touchdown, giving the Golden Rams an early 7-0 lead in the game. The Tigers’ offense found an early rhythm, incorporating quarterback Darius Ocean into their rushing attack by using his pre-reads of the Golden Rams’ defensive coverage. The Golden Rams were able to get the first turnover of the game, forcing Tigers running back Triston Morgan to fumble the ball, with Albany State recovering on their 30-yard line.
Turnovers in the game would be pivotal in determining which team would emerge victorious. Albany State’s defense forced the first turnover in the game with a Tigers Triston Morgan fumble on the 30-yard line. The Golden Rams’ offense didn’t have success taking advantage of the turnover; instead, the Tigers’ defense blocked their punt, which was returned by Tigers Ben Brown, tying the game 7-7 in the first quarter. The Albany State offense was able to gain a 10-point lead heading into the half behind an Isaiah Knowles quarterback rushing touchdown and a Kyle Wright field goal. Benedict College quarterback tried to cut into the Golden Rams’ lead, threw an interception that Albany State defensive back Tyrell Gainey caught, allowing the Rams to extend their lead, and came up short on the Hail Mary pass in the endzone.
The Tigers’ defense in the second half took advantage of Golden Rams defensive back mismatches and scored on a touchdown pass from Darius Ocean to Tigers wide receiver Troy Hillman. The Tigers didn’t account for Golden Rams Joshua Jones blocking the extra point attempt, defensive back Tyrell Gainey returned for 90 yards, scoring 2 points on the play.
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The Tigers were able to cut the Golden Rams’ lead to 6 points with a Logan Karwacki field goal and had an opportunity to win the 2025 SIAC Championship game with a touchdown and an extra point. The Tigers’ defense stood tall, preventing the Golden Rams’ offense from advancing the ball down the field, sacking Isaiah Knowles back-to-back plays, resulting in a loss of 17 yards. Isaiah Knowles completed 13 of 21 passes for 182 yards and was sacked 5 times in the game. The Tigers, with 1:44 yards left in the game, drove the ball down to the Golden Rams’ 26-yard line on 4th down, threw a pass that was broken up by Albany State defensive back Tyrell Gainey, forcing the Tigers to turn the ball over on downs. Tigers quarterback Darius Ocean completed 12 of 26 passes for 174 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception, and was sacked 5 times. Golden Rams quarterback Isaiah Knowles takes a knee, winning the 2025 SIAC Football Championship 22-16.