DOVER, DE—Redshirt sophomore Chris Merrill had a career-high 21 carries for 160 yards and two touchdowns on the day to lead # 17 SC State (6-2, 4-1 MEAC) over Delaware State(1-7, 1-5 MEAC) 38-21 Saturday at Alumni Stadium.

“I'd like to congratulate my team…I'm so proud of all our guys...we brought 60 players and used almost everyone, said SC State head coach Buddy Pough. “Our young group stepped up and our old guys held things together.”

The Hornets jumped out to an early 7-0 lead off a 22-yard pass connect from Anthony Glaud to Justin Wilson at the 11:18 mark in the first quarter. The Bulldogs finally got things rolling when senior Malcolm Long threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to tight end Antwanne Kerr to tie the score 7-7 with 5:09 left in the first-half.

A 46-yard interception for a touchdown by senior All-American linebacker David Erby gave SC State their first lead of game 14-7 at the 4:18 mark in the second q. SC State kicker Blake Erickson connected on his 11th-straight field goal this season on a 39-yard kick to make the score 17-7 with 13:11 left in the third quarter.

Junior Lataris Douglas made the biggest play of the day blocking a punt and returning it 15 yards for a touchdown with 5:04 left in the third quarter. Running back Chris Merrill took over in fourth quarter scoring both of the Bulldog touchdowns on 23 and 12 yard runs to clinch the victory.

Pough stated “I am happy for Chris...we always thought he was good enough to contribute and now with all the injuries, he must carry the load for us the rest of the way.”

The South Carolina State offense racked up 464 total yards, while the top ranked defense in FCS Division I-AA allowed their biggest point total of the season 21 against Delaware State.
 
Also, Plough stated “We finally got something going on offense and I take my hat off to our players and coaches.”Malcolm played well and he did some good things and ran the team well, but we will continue to use two guys (Long & Wiley) and hope it works for us.”

Quarterback Malcolm Long finished 18-33 -1 for 200 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 43 yards with his longest being 23. The defense was spearheaded by junior safety Christian Thompson and junior linebacker Donovan Richard with seven tackles each. David Erby and Courtney Ingram also finished with six each on the day.

The Bulldogs will return to action on Nov.6, for its final home game of the regular season against Howard University. SC State will also be celebrating “Senior Day” as well as honoring the win ingest coach in school history in Willie Jeffries Day. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m.
 
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