ORANGEBURG, SC—The South Carolina State Bulldogs will close out their home finale Saturday (Nov. 11) when they host the visiting Pirates of Hampton University at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium/Willie Jeffries Field. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m.
 
The Bulldogs (2-6, 1-5 MEAC) look to snap a three-game losing skid after coming off a bye week. Meanwhile, the Pirates (5-4, 4-2 MEAC) one of the surprise teams in the MEAC this season, hopes to get back in the winning column after a 14-6 loss to NC Central last week. The Pirates are still mathematically in the hunt for the MEAC title, however, with two league losses, they will need a lot of help to nab the coveted crown. They are chasing league leader NC A&T (9-0, 7-0 MEAC), NC Central (7-2, 5-1 MEAC), and Howard (6-3, 5-1 MEAC).
 
"We still have a lot to play for," noted Pough at his weekly press conference. "As a staff, we want to make sure we do a good job of putting our seniors in a good position to win and end their home careers with a victory. And, if we go out and play well, winning will take care of itself. We need to run the ball well; we need to stop them (the Pirates) from running the football; we must also be better and more consistent at quarterback; we must do well on defense."
 
 The Attraction
As mentioned earlier, SC State will be celebrating "Senior Day." The Bulldogs will recognize and salute fifteen (15) senior players, along with two student trainers. The university will also be celebrating High School Band and Military Appreciation Day. High school bands from throughout the Southeast have been invited and all military veterans and current enlisted personnel have been invited and will receive two complimentary tickets to today's contest.
 
Players to Watch
SC State Offense:
#9 r-So., QB Dewann Ford (120-233-8 (51.5 pct.) for 1405 yds., 6 TDs; 75  rushes, 188 yds., 2TDs); #15 r-Sr. RB Trey Samuel (87 rushes, 472 yds., 6TDs); #18 r-Fr. RB Datron James (29 rushes, 105 yds., 1TD); WR Quan Caldwell (32 recpts, 359 yds., 3TDs); #1  So. WR De'Montrez Burroughs (24 recpts, 364 yds. 1TD); #4 r-So. WR Tra'Quan Dubose (24 rcpts., 335  yds.,);  #51 r-Sr. OT Justin Evans); #56 Sr., OG Robbie Stephenson; # 14 Sr. PK Tyler Scandrett (9-11 FGs; 17-19 PATs)
 
SC State Defense:
#10 r-Sr. LB Darius Leonard (61T, 34A, 7TFL, 4Sacks; became SC State's all-time leader in tackles with 12 against Southern, giving him a then-career total of 293); #34 r-Jr. LB DayShawn Taylor (41T, 24A, 8TFL);  #26 Gr. FS Jason Baxter (25T, 10A, 2TFL, 1Sack, 3Ints.); #59 r-Sr. DL/LB Greg Newell (10T, 10A, 3TFL, 2Sacks); #9 Jr. SS Kendric Gathers (18T, 9A, 4PBUs).
 
Hampton Offense:
#4 Jr. QB Delmon Williams (113-200-8, 56.5 pct., 1488 yds., 12TDs;  83 rushes, 133 yds., 2 TDs); #16 r-So. WR Ronald Bell (52 recpts., 553 yds., 6TDs); #6 Fr. WR Aulden Knight (24 recpts., 562 yds.,  6TDs); #2 Sr. RB Yahkee Johnson (129 rushes, 610 yds., 5TDs); #3 Jr. RB Shai McKenzie (102 rushes, 487 yds., 3 TDs); #68 Sr. T Ryan Gould; #76  Sr. G Donovan Johnson.
 
Hampton Defense
#26 Jr. LB Raheim Huskey (32T, 42A, 5TFL, 1Sack, 3Ints); #5 Sr. LB  Steven Smith (26T, 33A, 13TFL, 4Sacks); #94  r-Jr. DE Davonte' Spruill (16T, 23A, 3TFL, 1Sack); #1 r-Sr. DB Brendan Cole (19T, 17A, 2TFL, 1Int.)
 
The Series
The Bulldogs and Pirates are meeting for the 22nd time in a rivalry that began in 1937. Hampton holds a 12-9 edge in the series, however, SC State has won four of the last five, including a 34-20 triumph at Orangeburg during the 2015 campaign. The Pirates snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Bulldogs with a 28-26 victory at Hampton last season.
 
The Coaches
SC State's Buddy Pough (SC State '75) is in his 16th season as head coach at his alma mater and owns a 119-60 overall mark (92-51 MEAC). He is 9-4 against Hampton.
 
 (Hampton's Connell Maynor (North Carolina A&T '91) is in his fourth season as Pirate head coach. He 19-24 at Hampton and owns a 1-4 mark against SC State. Broadway is in his 8^th overall year as a head coach and has an overall record of 64-30.
 
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