Bulldogs Hold Off Spartans To Claim Share Of MEAC Crown

Box Score NORFOLK, VA—The South Carolina State Bulldogs earned their 15^th Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship in school history, after a tough 17-3 victory over the Norfolk State Saturday at Dick Price Stadium.

"It was not easy," said S.C. State head football coach Buddy Pough, who won his fifth title since 2004. "I told them it would not be easy, but we are champions again."

Sophomore defensive lineman Javon Hargrave spearheaded the defense with a team-high 11 tackles and two sacks, while teammate linebacker Tevin Richard added 10 and senior Joe Thomas finished with eight on the day.

Pough stated, "Hargrave and those guys on defense made some big plays and the stop on 4^th down was a big turnaround and gave us momentum."

S.C. State (9-3, 7-1) posted its fourth straight win to end the season and overcame a sluggish offensive effort in which redshirt senior quarterback Richard Cue committed three turnovers and was held to a season-low 3-14 passing for 41 yards. The Florence native did put the Bulldogs ahead in the third quarter with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Temarrick Hemingway and backup Adrian Kollack added a 17-yard running score to seal the victory.

"Well, we got the victory but now it's up to the committee," said Pough. "We have to hope for an at large berth and we thank we deserve a shot but we just have to wait and see."

Regardless of how the FCS playoff selection committee decides, Pough has no question this season was a resounding success.

"We are a bunch better than last year," he said. "Although we have had some ups and downs, I think overall our chemistry was better and we were not bothered by injuries as much. We were definitely an improved football team over last year."

By 11:30 a.m. today, the Bulldogs will have a definitive answer on their potential postseason status. The NCAA Football Championship Subdivision selection committee will release its 24-team field for the 2013 playoffs, with S.C. State hoping to get selected as an at-large school.

Note: The NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoff Selection Show will air live on ESPNU. It can be seen at Channel 502 on Digital Time Warner Cable, Channel 141 on The Dish Network and Channel 208 on DirecTV.

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