Bulldog Football Notes                              Wofford Football Notes
ORANGEBURG, SC- The SC State Bulldogs (0-0, 0-0 MEAC) will host visiting Wofford (0-0, 0-0 SoCon), who enters the contest ranked ninth nationally in the 2019 STATS FCS Preseason Poll (8^th in the FCS Coaches Poll) in an intrastate battle Saturday (Aug. 31st) at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium/Willie Jeffries Field. Kickoff is 6:05 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN3.

The game is the season opener for both teams and renews a series that began in 1974. The two teams have met eight times but last played in 2006. The game is one of the toughest season and home openers for the Bulldogs, who are seeking to rebound from their second consecutive losing season. Coach Buddy Pough's team was 5-6 last year (4-3 in the MEAC) after a 0-4 start. The Bulldogs have been picked to finish sixth in the MEAC this season, however, Pough, his staff and the players, hope to do much better. SC State returns 28 letter winners (16 offense/12 defense), including 16 starters (7 offense, 9 defense).
 
Wofford, meanwhile, was 9-4 (6-2) last season, won the 2018 SoCon Championship and made it to the second round of the FCS Playoffs. The Terriers are the preseason picks to win the league crown once more under second-year head coach Josh Conklin, who replaced the legendary Mike Ayers last season. Wofford didn't miss a beat under Conklin.  The Terriers return 14 starters, nine on offense and five on defense. 
 
The Attraction
South Carolina State is celebrating Business and Industry Day. Area businesses and industries have been invited to participate in several activities.
 
The Series
The Bulldogs and Terriers are meeting for the ninth time in a series that began in 1974. Wofford enjoys a 6-2 edge in the rivalry and has won the last five meetings. The Terriers were a 28-21 winner in the last meeting in 2006 at Spartanburg. SC State's last win in the series was by a 14-6 score in 1976 at Spartanburg.
 
Players to Watch
SC State Offense:
#3 QB Tyrece Nick (6-0, 170 r-Jr. (86-189-4, 45.5 Pct., 1163 yds., 5 TDs; 211 rushes, 903 yds., 12 TDs); #18 RB Datron James (85 rushes, 343 yds.); #44 RB/KR Tayshawn Baines (5-9, 200 So., was used primarily as a KOR specialist in 2018; 23.8 avg., 1 TD); #16 WR Will Vereen (15 rcpts., 1 TD); #11 De'Montrez Burroughs (6-2, 200 Sr.), 12 rcpts., 271 yds., 2 TDs; #73 RT Alex Taylor (6-9, 310 r-Sr., 2019 Preseason All-MEAC first team); #50 C Michael Terry (6-0, 255 r-Sr., Preseason All-MEAC second team); PK Dillon Bredesen (5-10, 160 So.), 5-8 FGs, 20-25 PATs)

SC State Defense:
#99 DE Bruce Johnson (6-2, 225 r-Sr.), 32T, 7A, 7 TFL, 2 Sacks); #91 NT Rod Perry (6-2, 310, r-Sr.), 13T, 4A, 3TFL,); #14 CB Decobie Durant (5-11, 175 r-So.), 32T, 6A, 2 Ints, 3 PBUs); #10 FS Duane Nichols (6-0, 2015 r-So.), 33T, 8A, 5 TFL, 3 PBUs, 2 RF; LB Lane Jones (6-2, 190 Sr.), 31T, 15A; DL Paul McKeiver (6-4, 290 r-Sr.), 19T, 10A, 7TFL, 3PBUs.
 
Wofford Offense:
#8 QB Joe Newman (5-11, 185 Sr.), 88-146-8 60.2 Pct., 1070 yds., 8TDs; #21 FB Nathan Walker (6-0, 225 So.), 77 rushes, 547 yds., 3TDs; #28 HB Ryan Lovelace ( 5-9, 200 Jr.), 24 rushes, 295 yds., 3 TDs: #82 WR Jason Hill (5-11, 185 Sr.), 26 rcpts., 278 yds., 2 TDs; #75 RG Justus Basinger (6-4, 305 Sr., Preseason All-SoCon, Preseason STATS FCS All-American.
 
Wofford Defense:
#52 DE Thad Mangus (6-2, 290 Sr.), 32T, 19A 6 TFL, 3Sacks; #42 LB DT Wilson (6-1, 235 Sr.), 30T, 14A, 6TFL, 2 Sacks); #13 SS Mason Alstatt (6-0, 205 Sr.), 27T, 18A, 2TFL, 3Ints. #27 CB George Gbesee (6-8, 180 Sr.), 28T, 2 A, 3 Ints.
 
 
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 125-71 overall mark. He is 0-4 against Wofford
 
Josh Conklin (Dakota State '03) is in his second season as head coach at Wofford.  He is 9-4 at Wofford and as a head coach overall. His is facing SC State for the first time.
 
 
This Week's Schedule (08-29/09-01)