TALLAHASSEE, FL—Bulldog nation will get a first look at the 2024 South Carolina State Bulldogs Saturday (Sept. 31^st) when they take on the defending HBCU National Champion #25 Florida A&M Rattlers in a pivotal showdown at Bragg Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN+.

THE GAME
South Carolina State Bulldogs at #25 Florida A&M Rattlers
Tallahassee, FL (Bragg Memorial Stadium)
Saturday, August 31 at 6 p.m. EST.
TV: ESPN+ Link
Audio: ESPN Radio Orangeburg 1580AM|92.9 FM|TuneIn
Live Stats: Link
 
THE SERIES: SC State leads the series 8-3 dating back to 2002. The last time the two teams met FAMU defeated SC State 20-14 in Orangeburg, SC on Oct. 8th, 2022. SC State head coach Chennis Berry enters his first season as head coach of the Bulldogs. Florida A&M enters its first season of head coach James Colzie III's tenure.
SC State Picked 4^th In League Race; Eight Bulldogs Earn All Preseason Honors

• Eight (8) South Carolina State Bulldogs were named to the 2024 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Preseason Football All-Conference team, while first-year head coach Chennis Berry's team was picked to finish fourth (4^th) in the race for the league title, as voted on by MEAC head football coaches and sports information directors.

BULLDOG BITES

• Berry era begins in debut versus FAMU. First-year head coach Chennis Berry looks first his first win after taking over the historic football program that has captured 18 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championships in school history.
• Bulldogs welcome a new look with over 45 newcomers and (8) eight freshmen to this year's roster.
• Bulldogs to watch on OFFENSE: Nick Taiste (OL), Eric Phoenix (QB), Eric Brown, Jr. (OL), Cam Johnson (OL), Justin Brown-Smith (WR), Keshawn Toney (TE), Einaj Carter (WR): On DEFENSE: Aaron Smith (LB), Jamare Benjamin (DB), Aiden Webber (LB), Jayden Broughton (DL), Octaven Minter (DL)

BY THE NUMBERS
2- A pair of senior Bulldogs in Nick Taiste (OL) and Aaron Smith have received numerous All-American and Preseason accolades include being named to the prestigious Reeses Senior Bowl Watch List. The Last senior to be named to the watch list was LA Rams defensive back Decobie Durant.
4-SC State is the only school in the palmetto state with four National Football League (NFL) Hall of Famers with Deacon Jones, Maron Motley, Harry Carson and Donnie Shell.
5- Five former Bulldogs will be on active NFL roster this season in Javon Hargrave (San Francisco), Shaquille Leonard (Indianapolis Colts| Still under contract (free-agent), Decobie Durant (LA Rams), Antonio Hamilton (Atlanta Falcons) and Shaquille Davis (New Orleans Saints).
30- First-year head coach Chennis Berry brings over 30-years of coaching experience from the HBCU ranks to South Carolina State football legacy.
62-This year's Bulldog roster will feature 62 players from the state of South Carolina.

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.
 
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