Bulldogs Clash With Spartans For Season Finale Showdown

SC State seek to end season with conference crown and playoff berth

South Carolina State head coach Buddy Pough

GAME NOTES
NORFOLK, VA—The South Carolina State Bulldogs will play their season finale on the road, when they travel to the tidewater area to battle the Spartans of Norfolk State in a pivotal MEAC showdown at Dick Price Stadium. Kick-off is 1 p.m.

Pough the second winningest coach in Bulldog history, has led his team to four (2004, 08, 09, & 10) conference titles during his 12-year tenure. SC State is very familiar with NSU, as current Bulldog offensive coordinator/line coach Joseph Blackwell spent two seasons with the Spartans and was a part of their 2011 MEAC championship squad.

The Spartans (3-8 overall,3-4 MEAC ) will look to spoil the Bulldogs (8-3 overall, 6-1 MEAC) chances of earning their 15^th overall Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championships and a trip to the FCS I-AA playoffs.

Among Norfolk State's top impact players is outside linebacker Lynden Trail. Second on the team in tackles (81) behind inside linebacker Marcell Coke (101) and sacks (7.5) behind fellow OLB Deon King (9.5), the redshirt junior out of Miami, Fla. is one of two Buck Buchanan Award finalists as the nation's best Football Championship Subdivision defensive player on the field this Saturday.

The Bulldogs are led on offense by senior wide receiver Tyler McDonald who is the school's All-Time Career Reception and Yardage Leader, while currently leading the team in catches with 45 for 865 yards and 7 TD's (Career Receptions: 153 Career Yards: 2,302 Career TD's: 17)

Senior linebacker Joe Thomas a Buck Buchanan Award Semi-finalist is the heart and soul of this team with 79 solo, 29 assist -108 total (7.5 sacks, 19.0 TFL, 1 Int).

** Facts about SC State this season**
Combined Record of 3 losses
BCS # 6 Coaches/ #7 AP Clemson (9-1)
FCS # 11 n Coastal Carolina (10-1)
FCS # 14 n Bethune-Cookman (9-2)

*Won the last 8-of-9 games.

*Turnaround from 5-6 season in 2012 to 9-3 (with a win Saturday) and Co-MEAC Champions.

* Offensive improved 12 points from 18.0 per game to 30.0 this season.

* Pough has a 96-42 record in 12 seasons at the helm and is also a candidate for the 2013 Eddie Robinson Award.

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