ORANGEBURG, SC—South Carolina State (1-1 MEAC, 3-5 Overall) look to turn things around Saturday (Nov.5^th) when they take on visiting Delaware State (1-2 MEAC, 4-4 Overall) in a pivotal Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) clashing at Oliver. C. Dawson Stadium|Willie Jeffries Field.
 
The game will be televised live on ESPN3, will re-air on ESPNU at 10 p.m. on Sunday (Nov. 6^th).
 
The Bulldogs were surprised 41-14 at Morgan State, while the Hornets fell to NC Central 28-21 in the final minutes at Dover. Both teams are hoping to rebound with a win today. Coach Buddy Pough's Bulldogs, despite the loss to the Bears and still win or share the MEAC title if they win their final three league contests, including today's pivotal matchup.
      
 Coach Rod Milstead's team is seeking to continue one of its best starts. The Bulldogs, who have struggled on offense most of the season, especially in the rushing game, will have to content with a trio of Hornet runners, led by redshirt freshman Marquis Gillis who has 490 yards and 4 TDs in 91 attempts. Hornet freshman Rahkeem Smith was named MEAC Rookie of the Week for his performance in the lost to the Eagles, as he scored all three Hornet TDs, two receiving and one rushing. The Bulldogs came out of the Morgan State game with injuries and may be without some of their top performers today.
 
The Attraction
South Carolina State will be celebrating Military Appreciation and Business & Industry Day. The SC State ROTC Battalion will be celebrating its 75^th Anniversary. The program has produced 23 general officers and provided more Black officers to the military than any other school. Among the expected returnees are General George Price, the first Bulldog officer to be named general and General Richard Dix. Both played football at SC State – Price as a quarterback and Dix as a placekicker).
 
Players to Watch
SC State Offense:
#2 Gr. QB Corey Fields (91-203-10, 1146 yds., 11TDs); #3 Gr. QB Tyrece Nick (6-11-1, 134 yds., 0 TDs.; 30 rushes, 139 yds., 2 TDs); #26 r-So. RB

yds., 3TDs); #22 Gr. RB Alex James (20 rushes, 54 yds., ); #1 r-Jr. WR Shaquan Davis (26 recpts, 574 yds., 7TDs); #19 So. WR Rakim White (9 recpts., 88 yds.; #78 So. Guard Nick Taiste; #76 Jr. Center Erick Brown Jr.
 
SC State Defense:
#5 r-Jr. LB BJ Davis (39T, 18A, 3TFL, 4 Ints.); #11 So. LB Aaron Smith (33T, 15A, 6TFL, 3 Sacks); #10 r-Sr. DB Duan Nichols (28T, 13A, 3TFL 3 Ints.); #43 Jr. DE Patrick Godbolt (15T, 10A, 7 TFL, 2 Sacks 2 FF)
 
Delaware State Offense:
#16 r-Fr. CJ Henry (65-112-2, 847 yds., 8 TDs); r-Jr. QB Jared Lewis (24-54-0, 272 yds., 1 TD); #6 r-Fr RB Marquis Gillis (91 rushes, 490 yds., 4 TDs); #24 r-So. RB Wade Inge (81 rushes, 290 yds., 1TD); #36 r-Sr. RB Thomas Bertrand-Hudon (32 rushes, 122 yds., 3 TDs); #85 Sr. WR Jerrish Halsey (18 recpts., 377 yds., 4TDs); #87 Sr. WR Devin Curry (20 recpts,m 1 TD); Fr. WR Rahkeem  Smith (11 rcpts., 183 yds., 4 TDs); #61 So. G Rodrigo Escobar; #73 r-Jr. T Sam Pearson
 
Delaware State Defense
#55 Sr. LB Brooks Parker (35T, 16A, 8 TFL, 2 Sacks); #4 r-Jr DB Romell Harris-Freeman (24T, 11A, 7 PBUs); #45 r-So. LB Maurio Goings (18T, 16A 7 TFL, 1 Sack)
 
The Series
The Bulldogs and Hornets are meeting for the 47th time in a rivalry that began in 1971. SC State has a 29-16 edge in the series and has won eight of the last eleven meetings, including a 13-7 nailbiter at Dover in 2021. The Hornets' last win in the series was a 17-14 triumph at Dover in 2017.
 
The Coaches
SC State's Buddy Pough (SC State '75) is in his 21^st season as head coach at his
alma mater and owns a 146-85 overall mark (109-39 MEAC). He is 11-5 against Delaware State
 
 (Delaware's Rod Milstead (Delaware State '92) is in his fifth season as head coach at his alma mater and as a collegiate head coach. He is 16-31 at Delaware State and owns a 0-3 mark against SC State.
 
 2021 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Standings (thru 10-29-22)