ORANGEBURG, SC—The nationally ranked No.21 South Carolina State Bulldogs the 2025 Defending HBCU National Champions and back-to-back MEAC Champs under the direction of MEAC Coach of the Year

Chennis Berry is set to begin spring drills Tuesday (March.3^rd) inside Oliver C. Dawson Stadium|Willie Jeffries Field .

Berry, just wrapped up his second season at the helm, made another historic run guiding the Bulldogs to their second Cricket Wireless Celebration Bowl HBCU National Championship victory in five years and first during his tenure in an historic 40-38 win over Prairie View A&M in 4 overtimes in Atlanta, GA (Dec. 13,2025).

During the Berry era, South Carolina State captured back-to-back MEAC Titles (2024 & 2025) and their 20th MEAC Championship in school history, improving his mark to a perfect 10-0 in league play.

Along with making his mark in SC State Football history, Berry earned his second straight MEAC Coach of the Year honor.

In 2025 his team ranked among the top in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in #1 Total Defense (326.3), # 1 Total Offense (286.0), #2 Passing Defense (185.7), #2 Field goals (14-of-19), #1 PAT's (47-of-47), #1 Interceptions (14 and 3 for TD's), # 1 3rd Down Conversions a, #1 Opponent 3rd Down Conversions (49), # 2 Opponent 4th Down Conversions (7), #1 Red Zone Defense and #1 Time of Possession.

The Bulldogs will conduct 15 practices which will begin at 7:30 am daily and conclude at 9:30 am along with two scrimmages, which will culminate with the annual Garnet and Blue spring game April 11. The contest kicks with a time to be determined inside O.C. Dawson Stadium and admission is free.

SC State welcomes the addition of 41 newcomers to this year's new class, which includes twenty (20) from high school, with 12 already enrolled mid-year, as well as twenty-one (21) transfers to national letters of intent (NLI).

Practices are open to the public, but fans and media are NOT ALLOWED on the field or sideline. All media request for players and coaches must be submitted to the Office of Athletic Strategic Communications through Assistant AD for Communications Kendrick D. Lewis at KLewis19@scsu.edu.

Failure to follow protocol will result in automatic removal from the athletic facility and South Carolina State University campus.
 
 Season tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by calling (803) 536-8759 or visiting the Athletic Ticket Office. For more information on South Carolina State Athletics visit www.scsuathletics.com