ORANGEBURG, SC— #10 South Carolina State suffered an heartbreaking 14-0 defeat to the #24 Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman in a tough Mid-Eastern Athletic clashing at Oliver .C Dawson Stadium Saturday.
Despite managing 304 yards total offense the Bulldogs got off to a slow start which resulted in the Wildcats taking advantage of every opportunity.
“We were not effective enough on offense,” stated SC State head coach Buddy Pough. “They defended us well and did enough on offense to beat us. I take my hats off to them.”
The Wildcats scored early off a 16-yard reverse pass from junior wide receiver Maurice François to Jevaughn Reams to the lead 7-0 with 4:51 left in the first-half. Junior linebacker Ryan Lewis picked off quarterback Malcolm Long twice in the second-half to set up Bethune-Cookman's second score of the day. Androse Bell punched in a one yard run to give the Wildcats a 14-0 lead at the 7:10 mark in the third quarter.
SC State put together an impressive drive behind backup quarterback Derrick Wiley leading the Bulldogs into the Wildcat red zone on the 8-yard line. Wiley's fumble at the two yard line gave Bethune-Cookman the edge they needed to defeat the two-time defending MEAC Champs at home 14-0.
With the victory Bethune-Cookman snaps the Bulldogs 13 home game and 21-game winning streak. Leading the way in rushing and passing for the Wildcats was senior quarterback Matt Johnson with 12 carries for 56 yards on the ground and throwing 15 of 27 for 172 yards and one interception.
Both Pough and his senior quarterback Malcolm noted latter they he did not have a good game; however Pough stated, “He was surprised that the crowd booed Long.”
“Malcolm did not have a good game,” Pough said. “But believe me, not all of it was his fault, we struggled protection-wise and that surprise me a bit, that we could not protect our quarterback.
“And, I was also disappointed in the way the crowd treated Malcolm Long, a guy who has played well for us for three years.
“It was a very frustrating game, “said Long. “ We have to do better on offense, and we need to sustain drive and protect the football.”
“When asked about the boos from the crowed Long clearly stated,” I'm use to it by now.” “I got booed at Gaffney, where I won two state championships and was named “Mr. Football”.
Spearheading the Bulldogs defense was redshirt junior linebacker Donovan Richard with a game-high17.5 tackles and two sacks on the day, meanwhile senior David Erby had a stellar day as well with 12 tackles.
South Carolina State will be celebrating “Homecoming” and will host the Pirates of Hampton University in a 1:30 p.m. kickoff. This game will be televised live on ESPNU with a tape-delay.
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