Entering Saturday's battle for first place in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Miles and Albany State looked evenly matched. Both teams had the same record and had similarly won three straight games in conference play.

It took less than three minutes for the Golden Bears to take control of the game and the top spot in standings.

Miles scored twice  - once on offense, the other on defense - before Albany State even made a first down to take a 14-0 lead en route to a 32-21 victory at Sloan-Alumni Stadium that plants Miles (4-2, 4-0 SIAC) alone in the first place. The victory broke a four-game skid against the Golden Rams (3-3, 3-1), a streak that saw the Golden Bears score just one touchdown, which made the early scoring onslaught that much sweeter.

The big advantage may have been even more surprising for the Golden Bears, who gave the start at quarterback to Khalil Anglin. A redshirt sophomore making his first career start, Anglin guided Miles into the end zone in quick fashion on the opening drive. Roderick Thomas, starting in place of injured tailback Jonero Scott, broke free on a 43-yard run to flip the field before Anglin connected with Travaunta Abner for a 20-yard touchdown pass to give Miles the lead. The Golden Bears went 74 yards in just five plays on their opening drive, but would get into the end zone again much sooner than anyone anticipated.

Albany State's offense was under siege early from the Miles pressure and it quickly paid dividends. With defensive lineman Keith Green bearing down on him, Golden Rams quarterback Isaiah Knowles threw a flutterball right into the hands of linebacker Matthew Yafondo. The freshman ran 31 yards unscathed into the end zone for his first career touchdown on Albany State's second play from scrimmage. Miles was ahead 14-0 with 12:47 left in the first quarter and Albany State was in big trouble.

The defense was ferocious all game, holding the Golden Rams to just 61 yards rushing and less than 300 yards of total offense. There were six quarterback sacks, six more quarterback hurries, and Knowles spent a lot of time running to pick up yards as there was not a lot of time - or open options - to throw the ball.

A 1-yard scoring burst by Javonta Leatherwood extended the lead to 20-6 at the half and Thomas (12 carries, 114 yards) added a 4-yard scoring run to push the advantage to 26-7 with 5:33 left in the third quarter. One of the two evenly-matched teams was about to get blown out.

But Albany State fought back and got back into the contest. Knowles connected with Jamil Williams for a 22-yard touchdown late in the third quarter before Tiant Wyche scored on a 22-yard run to draw within 26-21 with 9:53 remaining. The Golden Rams would force a Miles punt and had the momentum firmly on their side, looking poised to take the lead.

Unfortunately for Albany State, that chance never came. Cameron Watts muffed the punt and Josh Ruff recovered the loose ball. Anglin (20-of-30, 225, TD) came back out and completed passes to Abner (four catches, 38 yards) and Jaylin Peterson (three catches, 40 yards), then handed the ball to Edward Osley and Thomas, who gashed the Golden Rams defense before Leatherwood punched it in from two yards out to put the final nail in the Albany State coffin.

Jaquel Fells had five catches for 106 yards. William Hardy and Jeremiah Hudson-Davis each had a team-high seven tackles and Jamichael Rogers and Yafondo both had five tackles to pace Miles, which travels to face Clark Atlanta next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.