SC State Game Notes                                 Howard Game Notes
ORANGEBURG, SC— SC State (3-5, 1-1 MEAC) and the visiting Howard Bison (4-4, 2-0 MEAC) will battle it out in a pivotal Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) matchup as the two teams will try to remain viable for the league title and a berth in the Dec. 16 Celebration Bowl in Atlanta.
 
 Coach Buddy Pough's Bulldogs are coming off a 62-28 setback to league co-leader North Carolina Central on last Thursday – the team's worst league loss in years. A setback to Howard would knock SC State out of the race. The Bison, meanwhile, defeated Delaware State 17-10 and are tied with the Eagles atop the league standings at 2-0 and need a win to keep pace.
 
The Attraction
SC State will be celebrating Homecoming. Alumni from across the country will return to the campus to 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 Marshals, will also be saluted during the half.
 
The Series
The Bulldogs and Bison are meeting for the 50th time in a series that began in 1971. The host Bulldogs lead the rivalry 36-12, however Howard prevailed 28-14 in Washington, DC last season. SC State's last win in the rivalry was a 15-12 triumph in Orangeburg in 2021. The Bulldogs have won six of the last eight matchups.
 
Bulldog Notes:
True freshman Jawarn Howard has rushed for over 100 yards in three consecutive games for Pough's team, and earned MEAC Rookie of the Week accolades each time. In the loss to NCCU last week, the Mooresville, NC native had nine carries for 126 yards and a TD. Graduate TE Keshawn Toney had three catches for 33 yards and two scores in the loss. The defense was spearheaded by r-Jr. Aaron Smith with six tackles (5 solos), while Gr. Jaylen Evans recorded five tackles and Gr. Malcolm Magee four.
 
SC State Offense:
#2 QB Corey Fields, 6-0, 190 Gr. (78-143-5, 1077 yds., 10TDs); #7 QB Andre Washington, 6-4, 190 r-Fr (9-30-2, 106 yds.; ? add rushing); #22 RB Jawarn Howell, 6-1, 204 Fr. (75 rushes, 526 yds., 4TDs); #32  RB Josh Shaw, 5-10, 185 r-Fr. (49 rushes, 249 yds., 1TD); #10 RB Tyler Smith, 5-10, 185 r-Fr. (39 rushes, 231 yds., 2TDs) #20 Fr. RB Kacy Fields, 2-11, 195 Fr. (49 rushes, 195 yds., 2TDs); #6 WR Justin Smith-Brown, 6-1, 190 r-Jr. (17 rcpts., 308 yds., 3TDs); #5 TE Keshawn Toney, 60-2, 230 Gr. (17 rcpts., 209 yds., 4TDs); #13 WR Jordan Smith, 5-10, 175 r-So. (13 rcpts., 184 yds.,1TD); #78 RG Nick Taiste, 6-3, 295 r-Jr., #76 C Eric Brown Jr., 6-3, 305 r-Jr.
 
SC State Defense:
#11 LB Aaron Smith, 6-2, 218 r-Jr. (33T, 15A, 9TFL, 4Sacks); #1 S Jaylen Evans, 6-0, 185 Gr. (21T, 7A, 1TFL, 3PBUs); #17 LB Zan Dunham, 6-2, 215 So. (19T, 7A, 1FF); #29 LB Jadin Jones, 6-2, 215 Fr.); #25 CB Jamare Benjamin, 6-2, 180 r-Jr. (27T, 8A, 3Ints.,2PBUs)., #34 DT Jeblonski Green, 6-2, 285 Gr., #43 DE Patrick Godbolt, 6-3, 235 Gr.
 
Howard Offense:
 #1 QB Quinton Williams, 6-5, 205 Gr. (108-189-4, 1362 yds.,10TDs); #5 RB Eden James, 5-10, 200 So. (63 rushes, 380 yds., 1TD; #27 RB Ian Wheeler, 4-11, 205 Gr. (32 rushes, 270 yds., 2TDs); #2 RB Jarrett Hunter, 5-10, 205 Sr. (66 rushes, 257 yds., 3TDs); #4 WR Richie Illarraza, 5-10, 180 Jr., (22 rcpts., 250 yds., 0TD); #6 WR Breylin Smith, 5-9, 185 r-Fr. (16 rcpts, 170, 2TDs); #3 WR Kasey Hawthorne, 5-11, 195 Sr. (14 rcpts., 222 yds., 2TDs)
 
Howard Defense:
#0 DB Kenny Gallop, 5-11, 218 Sr. (28T, 16A, 4TFL, 2Sacks); #8 LB Terrance Hollon (28T, 14A, 6TFL, 3 Sacks); #6 DB Carson Hinton (25 T, 12 A, 4TFL, 2 Sacks); #25 LB Christian White, 5-11, 200 Gr.).
 
 
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 149-92 overall mark (113-42 MEAC).
 
Howard's Larry Scott (South Florida '99) is in his fourth season as Bison head coach and owns a 16-22 record at Howard and as a head coach.
 
 2023 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Standings (thru 10-28-23)