NORFOLK, VA—South Carolina State opened Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in dominating fashion with an, 51-20, win over host Norfolk State Saturday (Oct.25) on the road inside Dick Price Stadium (47,273).

The Bulldogs improved to 5-3 overall, 1-0 MEAC), while the Spartans fall to 1-7 overall, 0-1 in league play.

SCSU's offense did not disappoint on the day racking up a game-high 613-yards total offense with 428-yards passing and 185-yards rushing.  Quarterback William Atkins, IV posted a season best passing for 24-of-36-1 for 428-yards, four touchdowns (4) with a long of 75-yards.

Jordan Smith led the receiving corps with a career-best seven (7) catches for 197-yards and two (2) touchdowns. Teammate's Deyandre Ruffin added five (5) receptions for 52-yards along with Nigel Johnson three (3) for 48-yards and a touchdown.

The ground attack featured a dual threat on the day with Tyler Smith leading the way with a game-high 19 carries for 113-yards and a touchdown and a long run 29-yards. True freshman Mason Pickett-Hicks once again added that extra punch with rushes for 63-yards and a touchdown.

Jordan Franklin last week's HBCU National Defensive Player of the Week spearheaded the Bulldog defense with 10 tackles (5 solo) and 2.0 tackles for loss.

Special teams was led by kicker Nico Cavanillas Alti with a perfect 6-of-6 on PAT's while connecting on three (3) field goals on the day of 36, 26 and 21-yards in the win.

NEXT UP: South Carolina State returns to action on Saturday (Nov.1) at home when they host Morgan State on "Youth/ROTC Day" inside Oliver. C. Dawson Stadium on Willie Jeffries Field.  Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m.

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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