DOVER, DE (October 21, 2023) —South Carolina State opened Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play in an bang with an impressive 35-7 road win over Delaware State Saturday (Oct. 21st) at Alumni Stadium.
The Bulldog offense racked up a season-high 522 total offensive yards with 357-yards rushing and 165-yards passing on the day.
South Carolina State offensive line played lights out which led to freshman running backs powering their way to two 100-yard rushers the first under head coach Buddy Pough’s tenure at the helm.
True freshman Jawarn Howell and last week’s MEAC Rookie of the Week finished with 13 carries for 119-yards and three (3) touchdowns (8-yd, 34-yd and 1 yd), while redshirt freshman Tyler J. Smith led the charge on the ground with 12 rushes for 122-yards and a touchdown with a long run of 40-yards.
Redshirt freshman Josh Shaw made his presence know as well coming up a few yards short of his first career 100-yard rushing game. Shaw added to the mix 11 carries for 94-yards and a touchdown, while averaging 8.5 ypc.
The receiving corps was led by junior Justin Smith-Brown who left the game early due to an injury, but not before grabbing eight (8) catches for 120-yards falling four shy of breaking an SC State record of reception in a game currently standing at 12.
The Bulldogs only allowed one score with graduate defensive end and Preseason All-American Patrick Godbolt leading the way with four (4) tackles and three (3) tackles for loss for 7-yards and a pass break up. The defense racked up a game-high 11 tackles for loss.
Junior defensive lineman Naejuan Barber had a solid day as well with four (4) tackles and a sack in the win. Quarterback Corey Fields, Jr. connected 14-of-21-1 for 165-yards.
NEXT UP: SC State will have a quick turnaround when they take on defending MEAC Champion North Carolina Central on Thursday (Oct. 26th) live on ESPNU. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. in Durham, NC.
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