ORANGEBURG,SC—The South Carolina State Bulldogs will close out the season against the Tigers of Savannah State on Saturday, at Dawson Stadium/Jeffries Field. The Bulldogs will be saluting 17 seniors who will be playing their final game. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m.
SETTING THE?SCENE: This week's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference contest between hosts South Carolina State (4-6, 3-4 MEAC) and visiting Savannah State (1-9, 0-7 MEAC). Both teams are coming off losses in their last outing. The Bulldogs had their hopes for a 12th straight winning season dashed with a 17-7 loss at North Carolina A&T that dropped them to 4-6 on the season. With a win today, the best Coach Buddy Pough's team can do is 5-6 on the season, marking the first losing campaign in Pough's 11 years at the helm. SC State is 3-4 in the league. The Tigers, meanwhile, fell to MEAC leader Bethune-Cookman 49-7 at home for their third straight loss and a 1-9 overall mark. Savannah State remains winless in the MEAC at 0-7. So, each team is playing for pride. For the Bulldogs, a victory would send the team's 17 seniors out with a victory and also provide some momentum going into the off-season and a look to 2013. For the Tigers, a victory would mean not going winless against league competition this season.
The Series: SC State and Savannah State will be meeting for the 12th time in a rivalry that began in 1915. The Bulldogs lead the series 10-1 and have won the last four meetings, including a 30-10 triumph at Savannah last season. The Tigers' last win in the series came in 2001 by a 14-9 score in Orangeburg.
The Coaches
SC State's Buddy Pough (SC State '75) is in his 11th season as head coach at his alma mater and owns an 87-39 overall record and a 67-20 MEAC worksheet. He is 4-0 against the Tigers. Savannah State's Steven Davenport (Ga. Tech '90) is in his second season as Tiger head coach. He is 2-19 overall and 1-14 in the MEAC through the 2012 season.
The Attraction
SC State is celebrating Senior Day and Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day. Seventeen (17) members of the 2012 team and four students who provide support will be honored in a special pre-game ceremony. Many of them will be in today's starting lineup.We welcome the parents of our honorees and invite you to continue to support SC State and the Bulldogs.
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