ORANGEBURG, SC—The two-time defending MEAC Champion South Carolina State Bulldogs (5-2, 3-1 MEAC) went head-to-head, with the Pirates of Hampton University (5-2, 4-1) in front of 22,000 fans during “Homecoming” at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. The Bulldogs came out on top over the Pirates 10-7 in a tough defensive battle.
Despite two interceptions and four forced turnovers by the Pirates, SC State managed to hang on for the much needed victory.
“We are happy to get a win and it wasn't easy beating a team like Hampton,” stated SC State head coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough. “We kind of got things together and turned our week around after a tough loss to Bethune-Cookman a week ago.”
SC State jumped out with an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter off a two-yard run by senior running back Chris Massey (Cheraw, SC) with 5:49 left in the first quarter. The Bulldogs took 7-0 lead into halftime. Hampton tied the game 7-7 on a four yard run by red-shirt junior quarterback David Legree (Brooklyn, N.Y.) with 9:37 left in the third quarter.
Running back Chris Massey left the game early in what appears to be a game ending leg injury and did not return. The Bulldogs took the lead once again at the 7:32 mark in the fourth quarter off a 48-yard field goal from junior Kicker Blake Erickson (Cantonment, FL). It was Erickson's career-best to give SC State a 10-7 to secure the victory.
Pough stated, “Our defense played super and we still go a long way to go with our offense.” “I am sure things will come together for us and we will get there.”
Massey led the Bulldogs in rushing with 9 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown, while senior Malcolm Long was 15-25 for 110 yards and one interception. Senior David Erby spearheaded the defense with 10 tackles with 3 TFL, while linebacker Julius Wilkerson had a game-high three sacks.
Defense was the determining factor on the day with SC State managing just 241 total yards on offense, while holding Hampton to 144 yards. The Bulldogs improve to 5-2 overall, and 3-1 in the MEAC, while the Pirates fall to 5-1 overall and 4-1 in the conference.
South Carolina State will be on the road next week as the travel to Dover, DE to take on the Hornets of Delaware State in a pivotal MEAC contest. Kickoff is 2 p.m.
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