South Carolina State 24, Delaware State 3

October 29, 2005

ORANGEBURG, SC - The South Carolina State Bulldogs (5-2, 4-1 MEAC) needed a big second half push to score a 24-3 homecoming win over a tough the Delaware State Hornets (5-3, 4-2 MEAC). After battling to a 0-0 halftime tie, the Bulldogs rattled off 24 second half points to pull out the win.

"I knew that they were getting to be a lot better team," SCSU head coach Oliver 'Buddy'' Pough said following the win. "They can hold their own with anybody defensively and it won't be long before they can get some things done offensively."

The game was a defensive struggle with the two teams combining for less than 500 yards of total offense. The usually proficient Bulldogs totaled just 254 yards in the contest, including 120 yards rushing while the Hornets amassed just 235 yards of offense in the game, including just 73 yards rushing. SCSU linebacker Marshall McFadden led the SCSU effort with nine total tackles (six solo) and one forced fumble.

South Carolina State redshirt-sophomore quarterback Cleveland McCoy led the Bulldogs' effort completing 9-of-17 passes for 135 yards and one touchdown. Junior running back DeShawn Baker led the Bulldogs' rushing effort with 67 yards on 13 rushes in the game.

Delaware State quarterback Vashon Winton led the Hornets' attack completing 18-of-34 passes for 162 yards. Senior running back Rodney Roy, the MEAC's fifth leading rusher, added just 24 rushes for 68 yards in the contest. DSU senior linebacker Sam Smith led the Hornets defense with nine tackles (three solo) and an interception.

" I think that our defense is getting to the point where we can stop the run," SCSU head coach Oliver 'Buddy' Pough said following the win. "With that being the case, then teams are going to have to change some things up to try an fool us."

The Bulldogs opened the scoring on an 8-yard TD run by SCSU sophomore Troy 'JoJo' McFadden at the 12:28 mark in the third quarter. The ensuing PAT put the Bulldogs ahead 7-0. SCSU freshman kicker Stephen Grantham gave the Bulldogs a bit of insurance when he kicked a 47-yard field goal with 5:33 left in the third quarter that left the team on top, 10-0.

However, the Hornets proved their resilience when DSU kicker Peter Gaertner connected on a 28-yard field goal with 1:45 left in the quarter that left the Bulldogs ahead 10-3.
The Bulldogs scored a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns; the first coming on a 59-yard fumble recovery by SCSU senior linebacker Terrance Bennett with 12:51 left in the game that put the Bulldogs on top, 17-3.

"It was the back-breaker . . . it was a big, big play that put us on top by two scores," Pough added. "Bennett can run, so there was no doubt that once he got it, he would take it to the house."

Fellow senior Rondriekas Darby put the game away for the Bulldogs when he reeled in a 21-yard pass from McCoy with 4:32 left in the game to leave SCSU with a 24-3 victory.

With the win, the South Carolina State Bulldogs move to 5-2 overall, 4-1 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play and into second place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

The Bulldogs will next head to Washington, D.C. to take on the Howard Bison in a televised game.