The South Carolina State Head Coach, Chennis Berry, with this victory against Howard University, has won 13 straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference games. The Bulldogs’ offense started slowly in the first half of the game, allowing Howard University to gain confidence after taking an early 7-3 lead, after the Bulldogs scored first behind a Jett Jackson field goal. Both teams were heavily penalized during this game. The Bulldogs were penalized 15 times for 141 yards, and the Bisons were flagged 11 times for 115 yards.
The Bison, Se’Quan Osborne, scored on a 38-yard rushing touchdown and were able to retake the lead, making the score 7-3 after the Bulldogs, Jett Jackson, kicked a second field goal, making the score 7-6. The Bison offense needed all hands on deck to keep the Bulldogs’ defense off balance with their passing attack; lost wide receiver Semaj Pierre was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct and was ejected from the game in the second quarter, while the Bison maintained their 7-6 lead in the second quarter with 8:26 left before halftime.
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Bulldogs quarterback Keely Watson got the South Carolina State passing attack rolling, throwing a touchdown pass to Jahzae Kimbrough and connecting with Malaqhi Jones on the second scoring drive, catching 9 passes for 107 yards for the game, getting the Bulldogs deep in the red zone, and allowing Ronnie Robinson to score a rushing touchdown. Keely Watson completed 21 of 29 passes for 241 yards and 1 touchdown. The Bulldogs offense scored18 unanswered points in the second quarter, giving them a 21-7 lead at the half.
Coach Berry leaned on his Bulldogs defense in the second half, which is ranked 1st in FCS, allowing 82.2 yards per game rushing the ball. Bulldogs defensive lineman Ka’von Chisolm was a force to be reckoned with had 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 2 quarterback hurries was key when Howard leaned on their passing attack to help them get back into the game in the second half of the game. Howard University quarterback Isaiah Freeman used his arm and his legs to lead the Bison offense on two scoring drives to tie the game in the third quarter. Freeman completed 19 out of 37 passes for 233 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception, and added 11 rushes for 62 yards for the game. Two of Freeman touchdown passes came in the third quarter, when he connected with Antonio Hunter for 2 touchdowns, catching 5 receptions for 52 yards, tying the game 21-21 late in the third quarter, after scoring 14 unanswered points.
The Bulldogs relied heavily on their rushing attack in the 4th quarter, with Ricorian Brown scoring the last two touchdowns of the game, including the last one in the fourth quarter with 17 seconds left in the game, giving the Bulldogs a 35-28 victory. Brown had 16 rushes for 143 yards with 2 touchdowns. Bison quarterback Isaiah Freeman tried to put together a game-tying drive, but came up short. The Bulldogs remain undefeated in conference play and have a big game next week against North Carolina Central University that could dictate who will be the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Champion and who will be their representative in the HBCU Celebration Bowl for the HBCU National Championship.