ORANGEBURG, SC—The South Carolina State Bulldogs jumped out to an early 17-0 lead in the first half, led by quarterback Eric Phoenix throwing 26-of-36 for 321-yards and two (2) touchdowns to knock to nationally-ranked No.19/21 NC Central 24-21 Thursday (Oct. 31) inside Oliver C. Dawson Stadium on Willie Jeffries Field.

South Carolina State improves to 6-2 overall, 2-0 MEAC play, while NCCU falls to 6-3 overall, 2-1 in the league. The Bulldogs extend their winning streak to five in a row.

This was Phoenix fourth straight contest passing for 300+ or more yards, making him the only players in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) to reach such a milestone.

Phoenix led the way once again on the ground with 13 rushes for 60-yards and a touchdown, while Tyler Smith added seven carries for 38-yards in a reserve role.

Wide receiver Caden High posted back-to-back 100-yard receiving games with eight (8) catches for 113-yards and two (2) touchdowns, along with tight end Keshawn Toney's five (5) receptions for 54-yards on the day.

The Bulldog defense played lights out with graduate linebacker Aaron Smith with 10 tackles and one (1) tackles for loss, but it was Ashaad leading the way on the defensive front with a game-high three (3) sacks for 11-yards , one forced fumble and four tackles.

Jadin Jones added six (6) tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss along with Jarod Washingtons five and two pass breakups.

NEXT UP: South Carolina State turn their attention the Howard Bison in Washington, DC on Nov.  9 in a pivotal Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) showdown at Green Stadium.  Kick off is set for 3:30 p.m. and will be televised live on ESPNU or EPNU+.
 
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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.
 
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