DURHAM, NC— The South Carolina State delivered one of its grittiest and most explosive performances of the season, overcoming a second-quarter stumble and a halftime deficit to defeat North Carolina Central 34–27 and remain unbeaten in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play Thursday (Nov.14) inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

Powered by a 454-yard offensive showcase and a defense that tightened in the clutch, the Bulldogs extended their record to 8-3 (4-0 MEAC).

William Atkins IV led the air attack throwing 24-of-36 for 314-yards and three (3) touchdowns and one interception, while running back Josh Shaw ignited the Bulldog offense in the ground attack with 10 carries for 83-yards and one touchdown.

Senior wide receiver Jordan Smith finished with seven (7) catches for 72-yards and a touchdown.

Roderick Kelly spearheaded the Bulldog defense with eight (8) tackles and one TFL, Ka' Von Chisolm added five (5) tackles, one (1) sack, along with Michael Lunz finishing with two (2) tackles, one sack (1) and a forced fumble to secure the win.

With the win SC State clinch a spot to play for their second straight MEAC Championship under Chennis Berry.

FIRST QUARTER: BULLDOGS STRIKE EARLY AND TWICE LATE

• SCSU opened the night with sharp execution and explosive plays. After the teams traded early field goals—Nico Cavanillas Alti drilling a 50-yarder, followed by NCCU's Kaleb Robison answering from 41 yards—the Bulldogs seized control with back-to-back daggers in the final seconds of the quarter.
• Quarterback William Atkins IV was spectacular, tossing two touchdown bombs in 10 seconds of game time. First, he located Deyandre Ruffin on a 28-yard strike with just :10 remaining. On the ensuing onside kick, SC State retained possession at their own 49, and Atkins immediately launched a perfectly placed 51-yard touchdown to Nigel Johnson as the clock hit zero.
• SC State led 17–3, owning 157 yards of offense to NCCU's 52 and dominating possession 11:21 to 3:39.

SECOND QUARTER: NCCU SWINGS MOMENTUM WITH DEFENSE AND MOSLEY

• The second quarter belonged to NCCU. Running back Chris Mosley ignited the Eagle offense with a series of physical downhill bursts, finishing the period with 80 rushing yards on 11 attempts—highlighting a 53-yard drive capped by Robison's 31-yard field goal.
• Moments later, disaster struck SC State. Atkins' pass was jumped by Eric Adams, who returned it 33 yards for a pick-six, cutting the lead to 17–13.
• NCCU rode the sudden shift in momentum to mount a 98-yard masterpiece of a drive. Mosley hammered the interior repeatedly before punching in a 9-yard touchdown run with 2:58 left in the half, giving NCCU its first lead of the night at 20–17.
• At halftime, NCCU had outgained SC State 133–21 in the second quarter, with Mosley leading a rushing attack that totaled 72 yards in the frame.

THIRD QUARTER: BOTH TEAMS ANSWER—ONE WITH A FIELD GOAL, ONE WITH FIREWORKS

• The Bulldogs opened the second half by capitalizing on a special-teams play. Mehki Wall's 43-yard kickoff return was jarred loose by SC State's Antwon McCrae, recovered at the NCCU 45. Atkins quickly hit Ruffin for a 15-yard connection, and Alti knocked in a 28-yard field goal to tie the game at 20–20.
• NCCU responded with its most efficient drive of the night. Quarterback Walker Harris found a rhythm, connecting with Nasim Cosby and later hitting Mehki Wall for a 35-yard touchdown to reclaim the lead, 27–20.
• But SC State kept applying pressure. Atkins directed a balanced drive late in the quarter, leaning on both the short passing game and KZ Adams, who piled up tough yards en route to a 14-carry, 52-yard night. Though a fumble would stall one possession, the Bulldogs were clearly regaining offensive momentum.

FOURTH QUARTER: SCSU CLOSING POWER TAKES OVER

• Down 27–20 entering the fourth, the Bulldogs turned to their playmakers—and they delivered.
• Atkins led a 13-play, 80-yard march capped by a 24-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Smith, knotting the contest at 27–27 with 13:25 remaining. Smith finished as SCSU's top target with 7 receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown, repeatedly converting key downs.
• After the Bulldog defense forced consecutive NCCU punts, SC State took over with 5:07 remaining and leaned on its ground attack. Offensive coordinator Harry Simmons called on Josh Shaw, who broke free for a spectacular 30-yard touchdown run with 1:51 left—giving SC State a 34–27 lead and completing the comeback.
• As NCCU attempted a final drive, the Bulldogs' defense sealed the win with tight coverage and a fourth-down stop near midfield.

UP NEXT: South Carolina State will face Delaware State Saturday (Nov. 22) in Dover, DE in 1:30 p.m. start, for a chance to appear in the Cricket Wireless Celebration for the second straight year.

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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