ORANGEBURG, SC—Junior quarterback Malcolm Long connected for 21-32 for 319 yards and four touchdowns, while senior wide receiver Oliver Tre’ Young had a career day with six catches for 166 yards and two touchdowns as South Carolina State clinched their second-straight league title and a playoff berth with a 37-13 victory over Morgan State Saturday.
Young, who also posted 313 All-purpose yards with 108 coming from punt returns, broke the SC State Career Reception Record held by Tavarus Morgan. Also, junior Malcolm Long became the schools first 2,000-yard passer with his performance on the day.
“I am very excited about winning the game and even more about winning another MEAC Title,” said SC State coach Buddy Pough. “I am very impressed with Tre’ Young’s play today.”
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 27-7 lead in the first-half. Ford scored the first touchdown of the game on a 19-yard toss from Long with 9:04 left in the first quarter. Long put the Bulldogs ahead 14-0 on a 45-yard bomb to Oliver Tre’ Young. Morgan State scored to pull within seven on a 7-yard punch from quarterback Carlton Jackson with to close out the first quarter.
Sophomore kicker Blake Erickson scored six of the Bulldogs 13 points in the second quarter with field goals of 24 and 29. SC State closed the half with a 27-7 lead.
Pough stated, “We didn’t play as effectively as I would have liked us to be, but overall we were able to get the job done throwing some deep balls.”
Long’s 12-yard connection with Young in the third quarter open up the lead and the Bulldogs took a 34-7 advantage and sealed the victory for Coach Pough’s team. All-MEAC running back Will Ford finished the day with 20 rushes for 107 yards. Ford is just 155 yards why of becoming the MEAC All-Time leading rusher.
“Our goal is to get into the playoffs and make some noise”, said Pough. “It would be really nice for our fans and community if we could host a playoff game."o
South Carolina State will close out the regular season against rival North Carolina A&T in a 1:30 p.m. showdown on Saturday.
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