HAMPTON, VA – South Carolina State (5-1, 3-0 MEAC) will try to remain perfect in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Saturday when the Bulldogs take on Hampton (3-3, 2-2 MEAC) on the Pirates' Homecoming Saturday at 2 p.m. at Armstrong Stadium.
The No. 10 Bulldogs, tied with Morgan State (5-1, 3-0) for the MEAC lead, need a victory to keep pace with the Bears who play at Delaware State Saturday. Also, Coach Buddy Pough's team can run it MEAC consecutive-win streak to 15 with a win over Hampton, which has lost three straight to SC State, including a 35-13 setback in Orangeburg last season. In its last trip to Hampton in 2007, SC State spoiled the Pirates' Homecoming with a 28-24 triumph at Armstrong Stadium.
Leading the way for the Bulldogs on offense will be the trio of RB Will Ford, QB Malcolm Long and WR Oliver (Tre') Young. All three had big performances in SC State's 35-20 victory over Florida A&M last week.
Ford, a 5-11, 200 senior, pushed his season rushing total to 524 yards last week with his best outing of the year, galloping for 141 yards and two touchdowns against the Rattlers to become the Bulldogs' career rushing leader with 4,163 yards.
In last week's win, Long, who is completing almost 65 percent (91-141-2, 1028 yds., 4 TDs) of his passes, connected on 14 of 19 attempts for 171 yards and a score, while the MEAC receiving leader (31 rcpts., 423 yds., 3 TDs)Young snared six passes for 87 yards and a touchdown. Junior offensive tackle Johnny Culbreath anchors the SC State offensive line.
On defense, where Pough's team has experienced a series of injuries to key players, the Bulldogs hope to continue their aggressive play which has the team atop the MEAC in takeaways. The SC State defense, which intercepted FAMU signal caller Curtis Pulley three times last week – returning one for a TD – and blocked a field goal attempt, is a plus eleven in turnovers through six games. Three weeks ago against Norfolk State, SC State returned two fumbles for scores.
Leading the way on defense are linebackers David Irby (41 tackles) and Julius Wilkerson (33 tackles), defensive backs Markee Hamlin (24 tackles) and Phillip Adams (20 tackles, 2 TFL, I int.), and defensive end Jayson Ayers (14 tackles, 8 TFL), who was the MEAC Defensive Player of the Week last week.
Hampton, meanwhile, which is coming of a surprising 46-6 loss to Norfolk State, will counter with MEAC rushing leader LaMarcus Coker (616 yds.), QB Herbert Bynes and defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis, a transfer from the University of South Carolina.
