ORANGEBURG, SC—The South Carolina State Bulldogs (1-4) of the MEAC will look to turn things around this Saturday (Oct. 15
th) when they host the visiting Virginia-Lynchburg Dragons (0-5) at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium|Willie Jeffries Field. Kick-off is set for 1:30 p.m.
THE MATCHUP: This is the first meeting between the two teams who are off to dismal starts. Coach Buddy Pough's Bulldogs are 1-4 after five games for the second consecutive season. The Bulldogs, who have yet to play a conference contest, lost 20-14 to visiting Florida A&M last week in their home opener. SC State's lone win was a 33-9 triumph at Bethune-Cookman Sept. 10. Virginia-Lynchburg, whose 11-game 2022 schedule features all road games, fell 28-14 at Savannah State last week. The Dragons, a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) previously played two MEAC schools this season. Virginia-Lynchburg fell 59-14 at NC Central Sept. 24 and dropped a 44-10 contest at Morgan State Oct. 1.
THE ATTRACTION
SC State will be celebrating Homecoming. Alumni from across the country will return to the campus reminisce and share success stories. Some Classes will be in Reunion and Miss Homecoming will be crowned at halftime. Other Homecoming guests, including the Parade Marshal, will also be saluted during the half.
THE POLLS
Following last Saturday's 20-14 loss to Florida A&M, the Bulldogs dropped out of the Box-to-Row media poll and fell to 10
th in the coach's rankings. The Bulldogs were 10
th in last week's media poll and seventh in the coaches' poll.
THE SERIES
The Bulldogs and Dragons are meeting for the first time.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
SC STATE OFFENSE:
#2 QB
Corey Fields, 6-0, 190 Gr. (58-141-8, 748 yds., 8TDs), #3 QB
Tyrece Nick, 6-0, 170 Gr. (5-10-1, 77 yds; 25 rushes, 117 yds., 1TD), #26 RB
Kendrell Flowers, 6-0, 220 r-So. (38 rushes, 184 yds., 2TDs), #6 RB
Jacory Benson, 5-9, 180 Gr. (28 rushes, 94 yds., 0TDs), #1 WR
Shaquan Davis, 6-5, 180 r-Jr. (17 rcpts., 392 yds., 5TDs); #86 WR
Richard Bailey, 5-10, 150 r-Sr. (9 rcpts., 80 yds., 1TD); #19 WR
Rakim White, 6-4, 181 So.) #78 LG
Nick Taiste, 6-2 So., 295 So., #76 C
Eric Brown, Jr. 6-3, 336 So.
SC STATE DEFENSE:
#5 LB
BJ Davis, 6-2, 190 Sr. (29T, 16A, 2TFL, 4Ints., 2-time MEAC Defensive Player of the Week); #8 FS
Jalen Barr, 6-0, 190 Gr. (24T, 5A, 1TFL), #11 LB
Aaron Smith, 6-2, 218 r-So. (21T,11A, 3TFL, 1 Sack), #34 DE
Jeblonski Green, 6-2, 275 r-Jr., (5T, 8A, 3TFL, 1Sack
VIRGINIA-LYNCHBURG OFFENSE:
#9 QB Fanelle Andrus), #23 QB Alvaro Ortega-Morales, #22 RB David Anderson, #5 WR Ronnie Felton, WR Donmonic Perks, WR Cincere Clark
VIRGINIA-LYNCHBURG DEFENSE:
#19 DB Jakai Coker, #12 DB Mark Burns, #34 LB Robert Bush, #5 DL Jahlem
THE COACHES
SC State's Buddy Pough (SC State '75) is in his 21st season as head coach at his alma mater and owns a 144-84 overall mark (108-38) MEAC). He is 0-0 against the Dragons
Virginia-Lynchburg, Tim Newman
