Final Box Score
DAYTONA BEACH, FLA— The #23 ranked South Carolina State Bulldogs (1-1, 1-0 MEAC) pulled out a huge come from behind victory defeating the #24 ranked Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman (1-1, 0-1 MEAC) 26-18 in a tough defensive battle Saturday at Municipal Stadium o.
     The Bulldogs avenged last season's only conference loss, which snapped SC State's 21-game winning streak in the 14-0 defeat.
     “It was a sweet victory and a great win for our program against a very talented Bethune-Cookman team,” said SC State head coach Buddy Pough. “I have never coached a better defensive effort and I take my hats off to them.”
      The first-half was a battle of the defenses with the Bulldogs scoring first off a safety by senior Ronell Ferguson in the first quarter. Senior Blake Erickson tied his longest career field goal nailing a 48-yarder to give SC State a 5-0 lead at the 10:12 mark. 
      Senior quarterback Jamarr Robinson put the Wildcats ahead on a 44-yard strike to junior wide receiver Eddie Poole to take a 6-5 lead with 7:53 left in the first-quarter. Bethune-Cookman defense came up big stopping the Bulldogs for a safety to increase their margin 8-5.
      Bethune-Cookman dominated the first-half with 232 total yards on offense, while SC State managed just 76.
      Despite, the offense getting off to a slow start the Bulldogs managed to jump ahead, 12-8 off an 8-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Richard Cue to wide receiver Tyler McDonald at the 7:30 mark in the third.
      The Wildcats regained control of the game on a 12-yard toss from Robinson to sophomore tight end Jordon Murphy with 2:46 left in the third quarter. Kicker Sven Hurd hit a 41-yard field goal to extend BC-C's lead to a touchdown, 12-18 early in the fourth quarter.
      Junior quarterback Derrick Wiley put the Bulldogs ahead by one, 19-18 on a 3-yard scamper with 4:46 left in the game. The defense sealed the victory for the Bulldogs when senior safety Dominique Ellis scored on a 55-yard interception return late in the fourth give SC State a 26-18 victory over Bethune-Cookman.
      Pough stated, “We didn't dwell on last season's 14-0 loss to those guys.” In a game like this you shouldn't have to give a big pep talk you just have to go out and play football.”
      The Bulldog defense was led by strong safety Christian Thompson and linebacker Donovan Richard who finished with 11 tackles each. Sophomore cornerback Mason Harris chipped 9, while Ellis finished with eight tackles and two interceptions. Thompson also had two interceptions in the victory.
      SC State will be on the road next week when they travel to Bloomington, Indiana to take on Big Ten opponent Indiana University in a 3:30 p.m. showdown.