COOKEVILLE, TENN.—Graduate quarterback Eric Phoenix threw for a game-high 412-yards and three (3) touchdowns connecting on 17-of-31 with a long of 70-yards to lead South Carolina State to an 22-20 win over Tennessee Tech Saturday (Oct. 5) inside Tucker Stadium.

"I am so proud of this team and how the kept their heads when things got tough at the end," said head coach Chennis Berry. "We still have to work to do and clean some things up but for the most part we are getting stronger as a team."

Several Bulldogs had outstanding performances on the day.

Caden High had a team-high seven (7) catches for 150-yards, while Justin Smith-Brown added four (4) receptions for 129-yards and two (2) touchdowns, which added the 465-yards total offense.

Tight end Nick Brown gave that extra spark on the offense, filling in for the injured Keshawn Toney chipping in two (2) catches for 89-yards including a 67-yard touchdown reception.

The defense was led by linebacker Aaron Smith with a team-high 10 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 1 interception for 5-yards. Teammate Jadin Jones also added 10 tackles along with Diego Addison six (6) tackles and interception.

Ashaad Hall provided a solid performance on the defensive front with five (5) tackles, three (3) tackles for loss for 15-yards, two (2) sacks for 11-yards and one forced fumble. Josh Barker also finished with six (6) tackles and one tackle for loss.

Berry noted, "The defense held us down at the end. I have give those guys a special thank you each week I can see the strength in them as a unit."

South Carolina State improves to 3-2 overall, while Tennessee Tech falls to 2-3.

NEXT UP: South Carolina State will take on Fort Valley State on Oct. 19^th at home for a special occasion celebrating "Parents Week/Community Day along with ROTC|Youth Day" in an 2 p.m. kickoff.

ABOUT SC STATE ATHLETICS
South Carolina State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 14 sports: women's volleyball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's indoor track & field, softball, men's and women's outdoor track and field, women's soccer and football with all teams competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), except for women's soccer.
 
FOLLOW SOUTH CAROLINA STATE ATHLETICS IN CYBERSPACE 
There are many ways to keep up with SCSU athletics online and on the go:
• Visit www.scsuathletics.com, the official web site of Bulldog athletics, for news, schedules, stats, bios and more. 
• Follow us on social media:
 Facebook: /SCStateAthletics
 Twitter: @SCStateAthletic
 Instagram: /SCStateAthletics