Box Score ORANGEBURG, SC—South Carolina State suffered its second conference loss of the season in a 9-6 defeat to #17 nationally-ranked N.C. A&T Saturday (Nov.7) at Oliver. C. Dawson Stadium.
"We played our hearts out but just didn't play smart enough at the end," said SC State head coach Buddy Pough. "Our guys gave it their all. We slowed down the conference leading rusher (Cohen) but didn't get the results."
Freshman quarterback Kylil Carter `s 17-yard touchdown pass to Khris Gardin with 1:39 remaining lifted North Carolina A&T to victory, keeping the Aggies in first place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
The Bulldogs failed to tie the game when sophomore kicker/punter Tyler Scandrett missed a 33-yard field goal attempt as time expired. South Carolina State's (5-4, 4-2) only offense came when Scandrett connected on field goals of 30 and 26 yards in the first and second quarters respectively.
North Carolina A&T (8-1, 6-0) had just 145 yards total offense, while SC State managed 242 yards despite the loss. A trio of quarterbacks-Carter, Lamar Raynard and Kwashaun Quick were a combined 5 for 24 for 43 yards and a touchdown. All-MEAC running back redshirt junior Tarik Cohen ran for 58 yards on 22 carries.
The Bulldogs' offense was led by freshman quarterback Caleb York was 19- for-37 for 199 yards with an interception. Redshirt sophomore linebacker Darius Leonard spearheaded the defense with eight (8) tackles, one sacks and four (4) tackles for loss.NEXT UP: South Carolina State hits the road to take on the Spartans of Norfolk State in a pivotal MEAC showdown Saturday (Nov.14) in Norfolk, VA. Tipoff is 1 p.m.
