DURHAM, NC (October 31, 2021)—South Carolina State pulled out a close, 27-24, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) win over North Carolina Central Saturday (Oct. 30th) at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
The Bulldogs improve to 4-4 overall, 3-0 MEAC, while the Eagles fall to 3-5 overall, 1-1 in the league.
Redshirt freshman Kendrell Flowers posted his first 100-yard game of the season, with 17 carries for 121-yards and two (2) touchdowns. Flowers second touchdown came on a 14-yard toss from Fields, Jr. at the 9:54 mark in the second quarter.
Senior running back Jacory Benson provided a solid day on the ground with eight (8) rushes for 68-yards and a touchdown.
South Carolina State led 14-13 at the half.
Benson’s 1-yard punch at the 8:11 mark in the third quarter push the Bulldogs lead to 20-13. The Eagles responded off a 27-yard field-goal by A. Olivo to pull within four 20-16 with 5:00 minutes remaining in the third.
Fields, Jr. responded on a 12-yard pass to sophomore tight end Yancy Washington to close out the quarter and give South Carolina State an 27-16 advantage.
Davius Richard and the Eagles would push the limit again on an 18-yard toss to Ryan McDaniel at the 9:37 mark in the fourth quarter. Defense played down the stretched as South Carolina State held on to a 27-24 win over NCCU.
Senior linebacker Chad Gilchrist led the defense with a game-high tackles, while Jalen Barr added seven on the day.
Next up South Carolina State returns home to host visit Howard in a key MEAC showdown at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. Kick-off is 2 p.m.