The Clark Atlanta University Panthers fell behind early and couldn't muster enough offense to catch up as they fell to Benedict College 31-7 in Columbia, S.C. Saturday.

The Panthers (0-9, 0-5 SIAC) were down 17-0 at halftime as Benedict (1-7, 1-4 SIAC) scored on two of their first three drives.  One of those scores came after they forced a fumble by CAU's Charles Stafford that they converted into a touchdown late in the first quarter.

Their other touchdown came on an 81-yard Eric Phoenix-to-Dyquan Bloodshaw touchdown pass midway through the second quarter.

CAU's seven first-half drives ended three times on downs, once on a punt, a missed field goal attempt, a fumble and an interception.

Benedict scored again midway through the third quarter when Raheem Jennings broke free for a 58-yard touchdown to put the Tigers up 24-0.

CAU got on the scoreboard on the following drive when they moved 74 yards in ten plays, the final one a 6-yard Stafford to Johnathan Sanders TD pass with 4:07 leff in the third quarter to make the score 24-7.

Benedict secured the win on the next drive, in which Phillip Brown's 4-yard touchdown run capped a 13-play, 75-yard drive that made it 31-7 and ate up nearly eight minutes of time.

Stafford finished 23-of-46 for 215 yards, one touchdown and an interception for CAU. Sanders caught five of those passes for 57 yards and a touchdown, while Drakar Jerry also have five catches for 55 yards.

On defense, Justin Wade led the Panthers with 11 tackles, eight of them solo.  Terrance Harris, the SIAC's second-leading tackler heading into the game, had six tackles. Breante Glover forced a fumble that was recovered by Kenneth Morgan.

Benedict rushed for 214 yards and three touchdowns, two of them by Brown. Jennings finished with 86 yards on eight carries, while Jayden McCloud had 85 yards on 14 carries.

Clark Atlanta closes out the regular season next week when they visit Atlanta University Center rival Morehouse College at 2 p.m.