ORANGEBURG, SC—Junior quarterback Malcolm Long passsed for a career-high 316 yards, connecting on 16-24 attempts, and two touchdowns, to lead defending MEAC champion South Carolina State to a 52-10 victory over Delaware State Saturday (Oct. 31) at Oliver. C Dawson. Both of Long's touchdown tosses went to senior Tre' Young, who had four catches for 135 yards to increase his career receiving yards to a school-record 1,734 yards.
The Bulldogs improved to 7-1 overall, 5-0 in the league, while Delaware State dropped to 2-6 overall, 2-4 in the MEAC.
“This was a big win for our guys and program and to beat a quality team like Delaware State makes it even better”, stated SC State head coach Buddy Pough.” Two of our best defensive guys didn’t play today and to come out and still play well says a lot about the character of this team.”
South Carolina State, celebrating “Homecoming” in front of 21,257 screaming fans and alums, didn’t take long to get on the board, jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. Long hit Young on a 24-yard pass to open up the scoring at the 9:25 mark. Ford scampered in the end zone for a 13-yard score, while Long punched in for two yards out. Blake Erickson added all three extra points.
Delaware State, who had defeated SC State 17-16 two years ago (2007), spoiling Homecoming and the Bulldogs' hope for the MEAC title, got on the boards with a 90-yard kickoff return by Larrone Moore to trim the lead to 21-7 with 2:02 left in the first quarter, before Erickson kicked a 37-yard field goal for the Bulldogs to close out the quarter with Pough's team ahead 24-7
SC State went to the air early in the second quarter, with Long throwing an 80-yard bomb to Young to give the Bulldogs a 31-7 lead with 8:24 showing on the second-quarter scoreboard. Jamison’s two-yard score, along with All-American running back Will Ford's 14-yard trot to the end zone with 1:36 left, gave SC State a 45-10 advantage and pretty much secured the victory.
Young's four catches gave him an MEAC-leading 39 for the season and 109 for his Bulldog career, second behind the 116 catches of Tavarus Morgan, who spent only two seasons (2003 & 2004) at SC State. Young's 1,734 receiving yards eclipsed the mark of 1,533 yards amassed by Charlie Brown (1977-80).
Terrance Smith had five catches for 91 yards in the Bulldog win, while Ford finished with 17 carries for 87 yards and two touchdowns.
“This was really special to see a guy as competitive as Tre’Young reach a milestone in his career.” Pough stated. “ Young and Ford are truly deserving of the honors they are receving this season."
Leading the way on defense was senior cornerback Phillip Adams with eight tackles and one interception which he returned 36 yards for a score.
Next up for South Carolina State will be Howard University on Nov 7, in Washington, DC.
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