ORANGEBURG, SC—South Carolina State will open the 2025 campaign in their home-opener Saturday (Aug. 30) versus the visiting Wofford Terriers (0-0, 0-0) of the Southern Conference inside Oliver C. Dawson Stadium on Willie E. Jeffries Field.  Kickoff Is set for 6:02 pm.

LAST TIME: The Bulldogs and Terriers last met in 2019 with SC State earning a 28-13 win at Orangeburg. 

A LOOK BACK: Last season, the Bulldogs compiled a 9-3 record, including a perfect 5-0 worksheet in the MEAC under first-year head coach Chennis Berry. The Bulldogs have been picked to win the 2025 MEAC crown in a remarkably close vote ahead of N.C. Central, whom SC State defeated by a field goal last season in a pivotal showdown that gave Berry's team the title.  

SC State's 2024 campaign ended with a 28-7 loss to SWAC Champion Jackson State in the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes Stadium in Atlanta. Many of the Bulldog standout players in that game have departed, either by graduation or the transfer portal. Berry's 2025 team will have approximately 50 fresh faces with at least 35 transfers and twelve first-year students. Among the missing are QB Eric Phoenix (graduate), the MEAC Offensive Player of the Year; WR Caden High (transfer portal), the league's top pass catcher; and on defense, LB Aaron Smith (NFL), runner-up for MEAC Defensive Player of the Year; and DB Diego Addison (graduate). 

"It's a new team, a new season but our mission has not changed," Berry stated recently at his weekly press conference and on the Chennis Berry television show. "We want to be playing in Atlanta (The Celebration Bowl) in December. The new players have bought into our process, and we hope to be successful." 

The returning Bulldog players are led by a couple of defensive stars – DT Josh Barker, a first-team All-MEAC preseason selection, and DB Jarod Washington, an honorable-mention All-American last season. 

On offense, last year's backup QB Ryan Stubblefield and James Madison transfer Billy Akins, will battle for starting duties behind center, and a huge offensive line, anchored by C James Reddick II and T Roger "Big Baby" Smith. 

The backfield is incredibly talented with 2024 contributors KZ Adams (513 yds, 5TDs) and Tyler Smith (191 yds, 1TD) leading the way; however, they are expected to be pushed by talented newcomers Julian Mulligan, Kacy Fields, and Mason Hicks. The receiver corps may be the position with the most depth, according to Berry, with the "J" squad – Jordon Smith, Jalen Johnson, Johnny Jones, and Nigel Johnson – among the top prospects. 

Special teams are solid, based on the consistency demonstrated in the preseason. Last year's backup punter Maxceon Cobbs could receive a friendly push from Elliott Janish, a newcomer, while both Cedric Oglesby, a second-generation kicker, and Nico Cavanillas, a transfer, looked impressive in the preseason and should give the Bulldogs a potent offensive weapon. 

SCOUTING WOFFORD
Shawn Watson enters his third full season as head coach of the Terriers. Wofford returns ten starters overall, including four on offense, four on defense and two specialists. Six players were named to the All-Southern Conference preseason team. C.J.

Coombes earned a spot on the first team, and he is also on the preseason watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in FCS (Football Championship Subdivision).  

Wofford finished 5-7 and 3-5 in the Southern Conference last season. The Terriers have been picked seventh in the SoCon preseason poll. 

Wofford's defense was 59th in the nation and fourth in the SoCon, with the passing defense 39th overall and first in  the SoCon. The defense had 13 interceptions as part of 21 overall turnovers gained, which ranked 25th in the nation. 

SERIES NOTES: Wofford leads 6-3 in a rivalry which began in 1974. The Terriers lead 3-1 in games at Orangeburg, and 3-2 Neutral site games: During their last trip to Orangeburg, the then-nationally ranker Terriers suffered a 28-13 setback.