ORANGEBURG, SC—The South Carolina State Bulldogs (5-3, 3-2 MEAC) look to bounce back against the visiting Bison of Howard (1-8, 1-4 MEAC), Saturday (Nov. 9
th) at Oliver. C. Dawson Stadium/Willie Jeffries Field. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m. and will be televised live on ESPN3.
Coach Buddy Pough's SC State team is coming off a 22-20 home loss to MEAC rival North Carolina A&T last week. The setback was a serious blow to the Bulldogs' MEAC title hopes. Pough's team took a 10-0 first quarter before surrendering 22 unanswered Aggie points to fall behind 22-10 entering the final period. The Bulldogs scored 10 straight points to close the gap, but the comeback fell short when NC A&T intercepted a
Corey Fields pass late in the ball game.
The Bison, who have been saddled with turmoil since early in the season, lost 28-6 to NC Central in their last outing, despite a record-setting performance by receiver Kyle Anthony, who became Howard's all-time leading receiver with 187 catches after snaring nine passes for 57 yards in the loss. Howard, which has endured player defections and some coaching controversy, reportedly, placed first-year head coach Ron Prince on administrative leave a few days prior to today's game. Aaron Kelton, Director of Football Operations at Howard was, reportedly named interim head coach until further notice and will coach today's contest.
The Attraction
SC State will be celebrating Senior Day/Faculty & Staff Appreciation Day 2019. Twenty-three Bulldog senior players, who will be making their final appearance before the SC State home crowd will be honored, along with senior cheerleaders, student managers and trainers. And, all faculty and staff will receive two free tickets to the contest
The Series
The Bulldogs and Bison are meeting for the 47
th time in a series that began in 1971. The host Bulldogs lead the rivalry 35-11, including last season's 27-21 triumph at Washington, DC. Howard's last win in the series was in 2017by a 28-20 score at Orangeburg.
Players to Watch
SC State Offense:
#2 QB
Corey Fields, 6-0, 188 r-Fr. (59-116-4, 50.9 Pct., 991 yds., 7TDs); #3 QB
Tyrece Nick, 6-0, 170 r-Jr. (53-109-4, 48.6 Pct., 805 yds., 7 TDs; 82 rushes, 343 yds., 2TDs; #5 RB
Labron Morris, 5-10, 185 r-Jr. (103 rushes, 445 yds., 4TDs); #18 RB
Datron James, 5-10, 201 r-Jr. (30 rushes, 149 yds., 3TDs); #1 WR
De'Montrez Burroughs, 6-2, 200 Sr. (32 rcpts., 643 yds., 7 TDs); #12 WR Shaq Davis, 6-5, 180 r-Fr. (20 rcpts., 424 yds., 4TDs); #73 RT
Alex Taylor (6-9, 310 r-Sr., Three-time MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week, Preseason All-MEAC first team); #50 C
Michael Terry (6-0, 255 r-Sr.), Preseason All-MEAC second team)
SC State Defense:
#28 LB
Johnell Brown, 6-3, 195 r-Sr. (29T, 11A, 7TFL, 3Sacks, 1 Int.); #15 LB
BJ Davis, 6-2, 190 r-Fr. (21T, 9A, 9TFL, 2 Ints.); #46 LB
Cornelius Walker, 6-1, 212 Sr., (27T, 11A, 3TFL, 1Sack); #97 DT
Tyrell Goodwin, 6-0, 265 Sr. (20T, 9A, 13TFL, 5Sacks, Def. Lineman of the Week); #14 CB
Decobie Durant, 5-11, 175 r-So. (27T, 3TFL, 2Ints.)
Howard Offense:
#6 QB Quinton Williams, 6-4, 178 Fr. (75-133-6, 740 yds., 6TDs; 75 rushes, 166 yds., 2Tds); #31 RB Dedrick Parson, 5-8, 195 r-So., (153 rushes, 499 yds., 2TDs); #81 WR Kyle Anthony, 6-3, 205 Sr. (54 rcpts., 652 yds., 4TDs); #87 TE Michael Cornwell, 6-3, 230, r-Sr. (22 rcpts., 292 yds., 3TDs)
Howard Defense:
#30 LB Quinton Hill, 6-0, 200 Jr. (27T, 19A, 4TFL); #7 DB Ray Williams, 5-10, 183 Fr. (43 TT, 3Sacks); #9 DB Rodney Dennard, 6-1, 180 So. (41TT, 2TFL);
#27 DB Aaron Walker (37TT, 3 TFL); #25 LB Christian White (32TT, 3 TFL)
The Coaches
SC State's Buddy Pough (SC State '75) is in his 18
th season as head coach at his alma mater and owns a 130-74 overall mark (100-37 MEAC). He is 13-2 against Howard and 0-1 against interim head coach Aaron Kelton
Aaron Kelton (Mississippi Valley '82) is in his first game as interim head coach at Howard. He is 0-0 overall and 0-0 against SC State and Buddy Pough.
