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South Carolina State proves dominance again, what will be said now?
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- South Carolina State proves dominance again, what will be said now?
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South Carolina State continues its early-season hot streak, beating fellow FCS Top 25 team Furman 20-17 on the road. The Bulldogs controlled the game throughout. Furman withstood an early scoring blitz ( South Carolina State went up 14-0 early in the first quarter) to score a touchdown with two minutes and 27 seconds left in the fourth. But they ultimately weren't able to get the upper hand over a dominant and disciplined South Carolina State team and ultimately left with a loss.
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Once again, South Carolina State's defense showed considerable dominance. Furman had only 53 rushing yards, which is uncharacteristic for a team that employs a stable of talented running backs and came into this game averaging 198.3 rushing yards per game. As they did against other opponents, South Carolina State's front four affected both the run game and Furman's quarterbacks: Connor Ackerley and Jake Garcia. Garcia was QB1 to start the season and got his fair share of action, throwing for 164 yards and Furman's only touchdown of the game to Luke Shields on 10 of 18 attempts.
Ben Croasdale, who emerged as one of Furman's best players heading into the game, had a very quiet night, with only 24 yards on eight carries. Furman had to rely on the passing game to get back in the game, but South Carolina State ultimately controlled the flow throughout.
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South Carolina State still has questions at quarterback, as Chennis Berry once again deployed a two-quarterback system at points in the game. Keely Watson was primarily QB1 throughout the night and finished with 186 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, on 12 of 25 passing.
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Ronnie Robinson threw for 22 yards and had three carries for 15 yards. Still, the two-quarterback system is a bit confounding, particularly in a game as close as this one. Mason Pickett-Hicks was featured heavily in the run game, with 15 carries for 52 yards. But Josh Shaw ultimately punched in the touchdown for South Carolina State, once again solidifying himself as a home-run threat in the running back room alongside MPH.
This win solidifies South Carolina State's dominance and their seriousness as a top FCS program under Chennis Berry. While there's more work to be done for them to repeat as MEAC champions and ultimately Celebration Bowl champions, the 2026 South Carolina State team is arguably better than the past two years, and every week that goes by, it ultimately shows that statement is not blind conjecture.
The defense is stout in all phases. The special teams unit is deep, both in its punting placement and field-goal accuracy. And the running back room is as solid as any Chennis Berry-led team over the past five seasons, from his time at Benedict College to now his third year at South Carolina State. The only consistent question mark has been the quarterback room, and even then, Keely Watson has had phenomenal moments, including his lone touchdown throw for 65 yards to DJ Maltsby for the opening touchdown, just nine seconds into the game.
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It's hard to see which team can stop South Carolina State's run . I'm not saying it's impossible, but the way South Carolina State is playing, being the latest HBCU team to finish the season undefeated is certainly on the board.
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