ORANGEBURG, SC – South Carolina State suited up in full gear with some contact Wednesday (Aug. 11^th) in an 9:30 a.m. morning session for a two-hour workout during preseason drills inside O.C. Dawson Stadium/Willie Jeffries Field.
Despite the hot and steam conditions, the Bulldogs showed plenty of enthusiasm during the installation phase of practice.

"We are in Day 5 of preseason camp and the main focus is getting these guys ready to play and acclimated to this type of weather conditions during the season," said Pough. During the spring you have more cool days than hot ones so now we have to prepare ourselves on what it will be like in September and October on a game day."

"It's some guys that played in the spring that are really coming along, which makes the installation phase a little more relaxed", Pough noted. "During the spring we didn't have much depth on the defense line and had to make some adjustments. Now we have about 14 players there which gives you something more to work with during camp."

Some veteran defensive lineman returning to guide the newcomers along will be redshirt-junior Darrell Brown (6-2, 265) from Florence, junior Antonio Anderson (6-3, 250) from Hopkins, SC and red-shirt sophomore Shaheem Haltiwanger (6-3, 255).  Newcomers looking to make their presence felt this season will be freshmen Timothy Shelton (6-1, 300) from Conway, SC, Dajon Funderburk (6-2, 318) from Pageland, SC and Jared Kirksey (6-2, 268) out of Columbia, SC.

The Bulldogs resume preseason drills on Thursday(Aug.12^th) at 2:30 p.m. and a morning workout Friday (Aug.13^th) at 9:30 a.m.

SC State will hold Media/Picture Day Saturday, Aug. 14^th, beginning at 9 a.m. The annual "Meet the Players Day/Fan Fest," hosted by The S.T.A.T.E Club, is set for Saturday, Aug. 21^st at 12 noon. More details will be available on this event at a later date.

The Bulldogs open their season on road against SWAC foe Alabama A&M, Saturday September 4^th at Louis Crews Stadium in Huntsville, Alabama at 6 p.m. (CT).

Season tickets for South Carolina State's four-game home schedule remain available. Reserved seating is available today and may be purchased by contacting the SC State Ticket Office by phone at (803) 536-8579  or online at www.scsuathletics.com.

Fans interesting in joining the STATE CLUB can visit www.thestateclub.com

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