ORANGEBURG, SC—South Carolina State will host the Delaware State Hornets in their first home game of the season Saturday (Oct. 22) at O.C. Dawson Stadium. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m.
Coach Buddy Pough's team played four straight road games in September, had an open date the first week in October and was set to host MEAC foe Bethune-Cookman Nov. 8
th in its scheduled home opener but the contest was postponed (Nov. 26) due to the impact of Hurricane Matthew.
SC State traveled to Washington, DC last weekend and earned a hard-fought 14-9 triumph over Howard to improve to 2-3 and 2-0 in the league. The visiting Hornets are winless in six outings and 0-3 in the MEAC. Del-State lost at home 41-27 to Florida A&M last week.
The Series
The Bulldogs and Hornets are meeting for the 44
th time. SC State holds a 26-17 edge in the series and has won four of the last five, including a 34-7 triumph at Dover last year (2015). The Hornets' last win in the rivalry came in 2012 by a 31-17 score at Dover.
The Coaches
SC State's Buddy Pough (SC State '75) is in his 15th season as head coach at his alma mater and owns a 114-54 overall mark (89-44 MEAC). He is 8-4 against Delaware State and 1-0 against current Hornet head coach Kenny Carter.
Kenny Carter (The Citadel '90) is in his second season as head coach at Delaware State. He is 1-16 (1-10 MEAC) as a head coach and is 0-1 against the Bulldogs.
The Attraction
South Carolina State is celebrating Homecoming. Alumni from across the country will return to the campus for the game, to share memories and success stories. During a special halftime ceremony, RiNesha Smith, a senior psychology major of Orlando, Fla. and a member of the cheering squad, will be crowned "Miss Homecoming 2016." Also to be recognized are the National Alumni Queen, the Alumnus of the Year and the Young Alumnus of the Year.
Players to Watch
SC State Offense:
#12 So. QB Caleb York (68-156-2, 616 yds., 7 TDs, 34 rushes, 105 yds.; #6 r-Fr. WR Kanome McIntosh (11 rcpts., 90 yds.; #2 r-Jr. Mykal Moody (8 rcpts., 69 yds., 2 TDs), #3 r-Fr. RB Bishop Ford (48 rushes, 218 yds., 2 TDs; 8 rcpts., 73 yds.); #40 Sr. FB Donte Brown (36 rushes, 154 yds.); #52 r-Sr. OT Javarius Leamon (anchors the OL); #51 r-Jr. OT Justin Evans.
SC State Defense:
#10 r-Jr. LB Darius Leonard (38T, 30A, 3TFL, 2Ints.); #34 r-Jr. DayShawn Taylor (23T, 15A, 3TFL, 1Sack, 1 Int.); #26 Jr. FS Jason Baxter (21T, 12A, 2TFL, 2Ints.); #11 Gr. LB Tyler Smith (17T, 11A, 3TFL); #59 r-Jr. DE Greg Newell (12T, 9A, 4TFL, 2Sacks).
Delaware State Offense
#11 Jr. QB Daniel Epperson (65-125-9, 704 yds., 5TDs); #6 So. RB Brycen Alleyne (80 rushes, 400 yds., 3TDs, 18 rcpts., 92 yds., 1TD); #25 Fr. RB Mike Waters (73 rushes, 352 yds., 2 TDs); #18 Jr. WR Mason Rutherford (18 rcpts., 240 yds., 1TD); 37 Sr. WR Aris Scott (15 rcpts., 164 yds., 1TD).
Delaware State Defense
#24 Jr. LB Malik Harris (23T, 19A, 3TFL. 1Sack); #37 So. DB Logan Westcott (27T, 12A, 2TFL); Sr. LB Deshawn Barrett (17T 18A, 5TFL, 1 Sack); DB Arthur Williams (15T, 8A, 3TFL, 1Int); #43 Fr. LB Brian Cavicante (16T, 13A, 4 TFL, 1 Sack).
