The nationally-ranked SC State Bulldogs (6-1, 4-0 MEAC) will try to cement their hold on first place in the MEAC Saturday when they host visiting Delaware State (2-4, 2-3 MEAC). SC State is coming off a hard-fought 21-9 road win at Hampton last Saturday. It was the 15th straight league win for Coach Buddy Pough’s team. The visiting Hornets, ironically, the last MEAC team to defeat SC State, were also winners last week, knocking Morgan State from the unbeaten ranks in league games with a 35-22 triumph at Dover. The Bulldogs, the defending MEAC Champions and the pick to win this year’s title, sit alone at the top of the league standings at 4-0 – one game ahead of both Morgan State and Florida A&M, and hope to remain there with a win this afternoon. Pough’s team, 6-1 overall, with the only loss coming to FBS member and instate rival South Carolina, would also like to protect its No. 1 rankings in all four Historical Black Colleges and Universities polls and its No. 10 showing (as of Oct. 24) in the three major FCS rankings. Delaware State, on the other hand, is looking to turn around a disappointing start. Coach Al Lavan’s team is two games under .500 overall at 2-4 and 2-3 and tied for fifth in the conference race.
The Attraction
South Carolina State is celebrating Homecoming. A capacity crowd of alumni and supporters from around the country is expected to fill the 22,800-seat Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. State Senator John W. Matthews Jr. (Class ’67) and his wife Geraldine (Class ’62) served as Grand Marshals for the 2009 Homecoming parade. Halftime activities will include the crowning of Miss T’Anna Michelle Roberts, a sophomore of Atlanta, Ga. as Miss Homecoming 2009. Also to be acknowledged at halftime are the SC State National Alumni Queen, Alumnus of the Year and Young Alumnus of the Year (see pages 1-A to 4-A). A special welcome is extended to all returning alumni and reunion classes.
Scouting Report
The setting for today’s game is eerily similar to 2007, when SC State – the preseason pick to win the MEAC – was in a position to do so, when Delaware State derailed the Bulldogs and went on the nab the title and a spot in the prestigious FCS playoffs. The Hornets, who like Norfolk State, were close on the heels of the Bulldogs in the MEAC title chase, capitalized on some erratic placekicking by SC State and a late Bulldog fumble to eke out a 17-16 last-second victory, spoiling Homecoming and halting Pough’s team march toward the title. Well, its two years later, it’s Homecoming and the Bulldogs are leading the race for the MEAC title. There is one significant difference. The Hornets are not in the title chase but could still play the role of spoilers with a victory, something Pough has been constantly reminding his team. Delaware State always seems to make things close when taking on the Bulldogs. In addition to the one-point triumph on their last visit to Orangeburg in 2007, the Hornets won 10-9 at Dover in 2006 and made things interesting in 2008 at Dover before succumbing 23-17 in a hard-fought contest. In fact, in four of the last seven meetings, the contest has been decided by six points or less.
To stay on track for it second consecutive league title today, the Bulldogs will rely on an offense led by the outstanding trio of QB Malcolm Long, WR Trey Young and RB Will Ford. With defenses stacked at the line to slow down Ford, who two weeks ago became the all-time rushing leader for the Bulldogs and has the MEAC career rushing mark in his sights, Long has blossomed. The Gaffney, SC native has completed over 67 percent of his throws (113-168-4) for 1,267 yards and nine touchdowns, including three last week in the win at Hampton. Ford, a senior of Travelers Rest is behind his pace of a year ago as opponents have targeted him, however, he has rushed for 568 yards and four scores for the Bulldogs and could still end the campaign as the league’s all-time rushing leader with 451 yards in his last four games. As a senior, Young is having his best season ever. The Charleston native leads the MEAC in receptions with 35 for 483 yards and three touchdowns. He is also the conference leader in kickoff return average at 26.9 yards, despite the presence of FAMU’s LeRoy Vann, who has received national attention as a punt and kick returner this season. The trio receives strong support from and offensive line anchored by Monroe, Ga. junior Johnny Culbreath and their other teammates. On defense, where the Bulldogs have been strong this season, linebackers David Irby of Rock Hill and Julius Wilkinson of Gaffney lead the way with 57 and 50 tackles, respectively. Safeties Rafael Bush and Markee Hamlin have recorded 33 and 30 tackles, respectively, while the upfront guys are paced by Antuanne Kerr (18T, 5TFL) and Jayson Ayers (16T, 8TFL). The SC State kicking game is in good hands with sophomore Blake Erickson, who has connected on 6-7 field goal attempts and 24-25 extra point tries to lead the team in scoring with 42 points. Erickson has also taken over the primary punting duties and is averaging 36.8 yards on 13 punts, five of which he has placed inside the 20-yard line.
The Hornets will counter on offense with QB Anthony Glaud, a redshirt junior, who has connected on 81 of 139 attempts for 728 yards, four touchdowns and as many interceptions. His favorite target when he goes to the air is sophomore Darius Jackson, who has 26 catches for 281 yards and no touchdowns. Senior Zacharri Charles leads the team in touchdown receptions with two and has 133 receiving yards on 18 catches. Redshirt sophomore Jaashawn Jones is Delaware State’s leading rusher with 192 yards and two scores in 41 attempts. Spearheading the Hornet defense will be DT Andre Caroll with 38 total tackles, five behind the line, and linebacker Ahmad Harris, who has recorded 36 stops this year.
The Series
South Carolina State leads the series 22-16, including a 23-17 triumph at Dover, DE last season. Prior to last year’s victory, the Bulldogs had endured two consecutive one-point losses (10-9 at Dover in ’06 and 17-16 at O’burg in ’07). Both setbacks derailed the SC State MEAC title hopes. The 17-16 Hornet victory at Orangeburg in 2007 was especially devastating for the Bulldogs. Pough is 4-3 against the Hornets.
The MEAC Today (Oct. 31)
Delaware State at South Carolina State, 1:30
Winston-Salem State at Hampton, 2
Bethune-Cookman at North Carolina A&T, 1:30
Florida A&M at Morgan State, 4
Howard at Norfolk State, 1
Last Week’s Results (Oct. 18-20)
South Carolina State 21, Hampton 9
Delaware State 35, Morgan State 22
Florida A&M 34, Norfolk State 20
North Carolina A&T 30, Howard 19
Winston-Salem State 16, Bethune-Cookman 10