ORANGEBURG, SC—The South Carolina State Bulldogs (5-3 overall, 1-0 MEAC) resume Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play Saturday (Nov.1) versus the visiting Bears of Morgan State (3-5, 0-1 MEAC) inside Oliver. C. Dawson Stadium on Willie Jeffries Field.  Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m.

The Attraction: SC State has declared today as Youth/ROTC/Military Appreciation Day. Youth groups and High School ROTC units from South Carolina and surrounding states have been invited to attend at a reduced ticket price of $10 and current military servicemen and veterans can receive two complimentary tickets by presenting their Military ID.

The Series: The Bulldogs and Bears are meeting for the 45th time in a series that began in 1971 when both became charter members of the MEAC. SC State enjoys a 36-7-1 edge in the rivalry. SC State won 51-43 at Baltimore last season. The Bears' last win in the series was a 41-14 triumph in Baltimore during the 2022 season. The Bear's last win in Orangeburg came during the 2002 season when Morgan prevailed 23-12.

Last Time Out: SC State opened MEAC play with an impressive 51-20 win over host Norfolk State at Dick Price Stadium before a sellout crowd of 47, 273. The Bulldog offense rolled up 613 total yards, (428 passing/185 rushing). QB Billy Akins, who has split the signal-calling duties with Ryan Stubblefield, got the start and was 24-36-1 for 428 yards and four touchdowns.

Morgan State fell to Howard 33-27 in overtime Green Stadium in Washington, DC. Anthony Reagan, who had 122 yards rushing, scored on a 25-yard TD run on the first play of his team's possession in overtime to secure the Bison win. Reagan also had four receptions for 36 yards in the game.

Bulldog Notes: Atikins and four Bulldog teammates earn weekly honors. QB Billy Atikins was named Stats Perform HBCU National Player of the Week for his play in the SCSU 51-20 win over Norfolk State. The Bulldog signal-caller was also named MEAC Offensive Player of the Week and was one of four SCSU players to be recognized for outstanding play by the league. Teammates Jordan Dollard (Def. POTW), Chevez Trask (OL OTW, and Nico Cavanillas Alti (Spec. OTW) also earned MEAC weekly honors. Two Bulldog players received national recognition following SC State's 22-16 win at North Carolina A&T on Oct. 11, 2025. Defensive end Michael Lunz, II and linebacker Jordan Franklin were named NBCU National Co-Players of the week.

Lunz, a graduate student from Radcliff, KY, recorded six tackles (4 solos), 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Franklin also had six tackles (3 solos), 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and forced and recovered fumble.

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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