ORANGEBURG, SC—South Carolina State returns to action Saturday (Oct.7^th) when they host visiting Dragons of Virginia Lynchburg (0-4) in a non-conference matchup at Oliver. C. Dawson Stadium/Willie Jeffries Field. Kickoff is 2 p.m. and will be televised on live on ESPN+.
 
SC State, coming off its second bye in three weeks, is playing its second straight home contests. Coach Buddy Pough's team defeated visiting The Citadel 31-10 in its home opener Sept. 23. The Dragons, who will be playing their fifth consecutive road game, lost 48-10 to Delaware State last week. Virginia Lynchburg is playing its second contest in as many weeks game against a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference squad.
 
SC State's Pough, in his weekly press conference on Monday, said his team and staff were happy to get their first win of the season two weeks ago – the Bulldogs first in four outings against The Citadel – and hope to back it up with a win today against Virginia Lynchburg.
 
The Dragons enter the contest as a decided underdog, but Pough cautions "You can't look a gift horse in the mouth. We must go out and play and not take any opponent for granted." The Bulldog mentor, who is retiring at the end of the 2023 campaign, praised SC State quarterback Corey Fields, who had one of his best offensive outings against The Citadel, completing 19-25 attempts for 301 yards and three scores. He also rushed for over 50 yards in the contest.
 
"Corey (Fields) continues to improve, and I hope he keeps doing well," Pough said.  "Our receivers seemed to have settled in, with the return of Justin Smith-Brown, who had been hampered by injury. Our offensive line continues to develop and the defense, overall, played better against The Citadel."
 
Rushing by Committee
The Bulldog rushing game, which has improved with each game, is currently being conducted by "committee," according to Pough and the statistics bear that out. Freshmen Jawarn Howell and Kacy Fields and redshirt freshmen Josh Shaw and Tyler Smith I, have spearheaded a balanced running game. Howell leads the way with 145 yards in 38 attempts; Fields is not very far behind with 123 yards and a touchdown in 31 carries; Shaw has 91 yards in 24 attempts and Smith 73 yards and one score on 13 tries.
 
The Attraction
South Carolina State will be celebrating Youth/ROTC Day. Youth groups and ROTC units from throughout the state and beyond will attend this afternoon's contest and be treat to the game and some additional special events that have been planned.
 
SC State Offense:
#2 Gr. QB Corey Fields (35-60-3, 452 yds., 4TDs); #7 r-Fr. QB Andre Washington (8-29-2, 79 yds., 25 rushes, 90 yds., 1TD); #22 Fr. RB Jawarn Howell (38 rushes, 145 yds.,); #20 Fr. RB Kacy Fields (31 rushes, 123 yds., 1TD); #10 r-Fr. RB Tyler Smith (13 rushes, 73 yds.,1TD); #5 Gr. TE Keshawn Toney (11 rcpts., 140 yds., 2TDs); #13 r-So. WR Jordan Smith (6 rcpts., 69 yds.); #78 r-Jr. LG Nick Taiste); #76 r-Jr. Guard/Center Eric Brown, Jr.); #73 r-So. RT Cam Johnson
 
SC State Defense:
#11 r-Jr. LB Aaron Smith (15T, 7A, 5TFL, 1Sack); #1 Gr. DB Jaylen Evans (13T, 4A, 1PBU, 1RF); #43 Gr. DE Patrick Godbolt (12T, 2A, 4TFL 2Sacks, 2PB); #8 r-Jr. LB Aiden Webber (6T, 5A, 2TFL); #34 Gr. DT Jablonski Green (8T, 4A, 3TFL, 1Sack); #17, So. LB                        Zan Dunham (9T, 3A, 1FF)
 
Virginia Lynchburg Offense
#3 So. QB CJ Brooks (LO 15-33-2, 137 yds, 1TD); #4 Jr. WR Jason Scirigione (LO, 5 rcpts., 45 yds., 1TD); #29 Fr. WR Logan Scott (LO, 5 rcpts., 36 yds.); #1 r-So. RB Jacob Walker (LO 15 rushes, 80 yds., 5.0 ypc); #88 Jr. PK Avery Burch (LO FG 32 Good, FG 45 Missed); #62, Fr. RT Malachi Murphy); #73 Fr. LT James Atkins
 
Virginia Lynchburg Defense
#42 Fr. LB Devon Medina (8T, 1A, 3TFL); #11 So. LB Jaree Jones (7T); #20 Fr. DL Vince Wells (4T, 1A)
 
The Series
The SCSU Bulldogs and the visiting Virginia Lynchburg Dragons are meeting for the second time in as many years. The Bulldogs won last year's inaugural contest 36-0.
 
The Coaches
SC State's Buddy Pough (SC State '75) is in his 22^nd season as head coach at his
alma mater and owns a 147-90 overall mark (112-42 MEAC).
 
Virginia Lynchburg is coached by Tim Newman (Johnson C. Smith) who doubles as the Dragon's Athletics Director