ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Nationally ranked South Carolina State will put its unbeaten record on the line Saturday when the Bulldogs travel to Daytona Beach, Florida, for a nonconference matchup against former Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival Bethune-Cookman.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Daytona Stadium. The contest will be broadcast live on HBCU GO.

SC State (4-0) enters the matchup ranked No. 14 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll and No. 16 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25, moving up two spots in each poll following a 20-17 road victory over then-No. 24 Furman. The Bulldogs received 303 points in the AFCA poll and 550 points in the Stats Perform rankings. 

Head coach Chennis Berry and the Bulldogs have opened the season with four consecutive victories, defeating Savannah State 87-0, Florida A&M 31-13, Virginia State 66-0 and Furman 20-17. SC State has outscored its opponents 204-30 through four games.

Bulldogs dominating on both sides
SC State's early-season numbers illustrate a balanced attack and a defense that has made scoring difficult for opponents.

The Bulldogs are averaging 51 points and 491.8 yards of total offense per game, compared with just 7.5 points and 177.3 yards per game for their opponents.

The running game has been particularly productive. SC State has rushed for 1,121 yards on 162 attempts, an average of 280.3 yards per game and 6.9 yards per carry, with 15 rushing touchdowns. The Bulldogs have added 846 yards and nine touchdowns through the air.

SC State has produced 1,967 yards of total offense and 27 touchdowns while averaging 7.4 yards per play.

The Bulldogs have also been efficient in key situations, converting 47.8% of their third-down opportunities (22 of 46) and scoring on 18 of 19 trips inside the red zone, including 16 touchdowns.

Defensively, SC State has surrendered just 709 total yards through four games. Opponents are averaging only 3 yards per play and have managed just 182 rushing yards, or 45.5 yards per game.

The Bulldogs' defense has been especially effective against the run, allowing only 1.4 yards per rushing attempt. SC State has also limited opponents to seven total touchdowns and has yet to surrender a rushing touchdown this season.

SC State playmakers leading the charge
Running back Mason Pickett-Hicks has helped spearhead the Bulldogs' powerful ground attack. His early-season performances included 210 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Florida A&M, followed by 112 yards against Virginia State.

The Bulldogs' offensive line has also played a significant role in an attack averaging nearly 500 yards per contest. James Reddick II has been among the leaders up front, while the SC State offense has controlled games with its ability to establish the run and generate explosive plays.

Defensively, Jordan Dollard has been among the Bulldogs' key contributors for a unit that has held three of its first four opponents to 17 points or fewer and recorded two shutouts.
SC State's special teams have also provided production. The Bulldogs are averaging 22.83 yards on kickoff returns and 8.22 yards on punt returns, while averaging 38.33 yards per punt.

Wildcats await in Daytona Beach
Bethune-Cookman (2-1) enters Saturday averaging 37 points and 385.7 yards of offense per game. The Wildcats have rushed for 853 yards, an average of 284.3 yards per contest, setting up a matchup between two teams that have leaned heavily on their ground games.

B-CU is coming off a 62-3 victory over Virginia-Lynchburg, a game in which the Wildcats amassed 655 yards of offense, including 530 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Rashon Brown scored three rushing touchdowns, while Isaiah Daniel, Gerian Traynor and Jaylen Johnson helped lead the Wildcats' ground attack. 

Through three games, Bethune-Cookman has scored 111 points while allowing 94. The Wildcats are averaging 5.5 yards per play and have scored 16 touchdowns.

The matchup renews a longstanding series between programs that were once MEAC rivals. SC State defeated Bethune-Cookman 55-41 last season in Orangeburg. 

Saturday's game will be SC State's second consecutive road contest after the Bulldogs defeated Furman in Greenville last week. 

GAME INFORMATION
Matchup: No. 14/16 South Carolina State (4-0) at Bethune-Cookman (2-1)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 26
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Daytona Beach, Fla.
Watch: HBCU GO
Live Stats: Bethune-Cookman Live Stats
Tickets: Bethune-Cookman Tickets