DOVER, DE--The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) crowned its 2025 football champion on Saturday, as South Carolina State earned a 28–17 victory over Delaware State to secure its second consecutive conference title.

The Bulldogs the winners of seven straight completed the season with an undefeated 5–0 MEAC record and a 9–3 overall mark, continuing their strong level of play under Head Coach Chennis Berry, who has opened his tenure with an unblemished 10–0 record in conference competition.

The championship matchup between the Bulldogs and Hornets highlighted the competitive strength of MEAC football, with both programs demonstrating discipline, energy, and a commitment to excellence throughout the year, recognize by several notable non-conference victories in the FCS.

Quarterback William Atkins, IV finished throwing 14-of-24 for 249-yards and two (2) touchdowns for a long of 67-yards. Running back Josh Shaw had another solid day running with 16 carries for 99-yards, while Nigel Johnson finished with two catches for 74-yards and Jordan Smith four (4) catches for 53-yards and one (1) touchdown.
Graduate wide receiver Johnny Jones also had one (1) catch for 52-yards and a touchdown.

The defense was spearheaded by Malik Harp with eight (8) tackles and one tackle for loss, while the secondary played lights out with three (3) interceptions on day from Jalen Levine (3 tackles) for 33-yards and a touchdown along with Jadin Ford (4 tackles) and Tyler Jones (4 tackles) each with one.

The special teams were led by Nico Cavanillas Alti with a perfect 4-of-4 for PAT's along with five (5) kickoffs for 313-yards and one (1) touchback with an average of 62.6 yards per kick.

With the title secured, South Carolina State now turns its attention to the national stage. The Bulldogs will represent the MEAC in the Cricket Celebration Bowl on Sunday, December 13 in Atlanta, Georgia, where they will face the champion of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. EST and will be televised live on ABC.

The MEAC congratulates both programs on outstanding seasons and recognizes the hard work of the student-athletes, coaches, and support staffs who helped make 2025 a memorable year for MEAC football.
 
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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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