DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — No. 14 South Carolina State remained unbeaten Saturday night, using a dominant rushing attack and a late fourth-quarter touchdown to secure a 31-21 nonconference victory over Bethune-Cookman at Daytona Stadium.
The Bulldogs improved to
5-0 on the season and continued their strong start under head coach
Chennis Berry. SC State built a 24-7 halftime advantage before Bethune-Cookman (2-2) pulled within three points in the third quarter. The Bulldogs responded when it mattered most, putting together an 11-play, 85-yard scoring drive late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
SC State controlled the game offensively, finishing with
430 yards of total offense, including
282 rushing yards, while holding Bethune-Cookman to 238 total yards and 107 yards on the ground. The Bulldogs also held a 21-14 advantage in first downs and possessed the ball for 33:17.
Mason Pickett-Hicks once again powered the Bulldogs' ground attack, rushing 14 times for a game-high
136 yards, averaging 9.7 yards per carry with a long run of 41 yards.
Tyler Smith added 91 yards on just seven carries, averaging 13 yards per attempt, while
Josh Shaw rushed for 54 yards and two touchdowns. SC State averaged 6.7 yards per rushing attempt.
Quarterback Keely Watson provided an efficient performance through the air, completing
14 of 19 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Troy Hillman caught three passes for 28 yards and a touchdown, while
Darius Thompson hauled in a 32-yard touchdown reception.
Jahzae Kimbrough added three catches for 32 yards.
The Bulldogs wasted little time establishing control. Shaw capped SC State's opening five-play, 69-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 advantage.
Bethune-Cookman answered quickly when Tyler Jefferson broke loose for a 63-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7. SC State responded on its next possession as Watson connected with Hillman for an 18-yard touchdown, putting the Bulldogs back in front 14-7 with 7:53 remaining in the opening quarter.
SC State extended its advantage in the second quarter. Watson found Thompson for a 32-yard touchdown with 5:12 remaining in the half, completing a seven-play, 77-yard drive. Jett Jackson later connected on a 34-yard field goal to send the Bulldogs into halftime holding a commanding
24-7 lead.
Bethune-Cookman made its push in the third quarter. Rashon Brown scored on a 45-yard run before Isaiah Daniel connected with Josh Evans for a 35-yard touchdown, cutting SC State's advantage to
24-21 with 40 seconds remaining in the period.
With the game tightening, the Bulldogs' defense shut the Wildcats out in the fourth quarter, and the offense delivered the decisive response.,
Taking possession at its own 15-yard line with 7:41 remaining, SC State methodically marched
85 yards on 11 plays while taking 5:45 off the clock. Shaw finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:56 remaining, and Jackson's extra point gave the Bulldogs a 31-21 advantage.
The SC State defense turned in another strong outing, recording
five sacks for 40 yards and nine tackles for loss totaling 46 yards. Josh Barker led the pressure with 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss, while
Ka'Von Chisolm contributed 1.5 sacks and two tackles for loss.
Roderick Kelly, Jadin Jones and Chisolm each finished with seven tackles.
The Bulldogs were also perfect in the red zone, converting all four opportunities, and went 2-for-2 on fourth down. SC State's defense limited Bethune-Cookman to 131 passing yards and kept the Wildcats scoreless throughout the final quarter.
With the victory,
No. 14 South Carolina State moves to 5-0, keeping its unbeaten season intact after another balanced performance on both sides of the football.
