Bulldogs escape Spartans in rain

ORANGEBURG — In a bottom line world, South Carolina State is exactly where it needs to be just past the midway point of the season.

The Bulldogs improved to 5-2 overall, 3-0 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play with a 24-23 homecoming win over Norfolk State Saturday at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium before 16,003 rain-soaked fans. They have two weeks to prepare for a potential title showdown with Hampton at home on Oct. 25.

But while recent outcomes against Norfolk State and Florida A&M have been pleasing enough, Buddy Pough is growing weary of heaving huge sighs of relief in the wake of having to overcome mistake-marred performances to pull out wins.

"Well, we did it again; we almost shot ourselves in the foot," said Pough after watching his team commit four turnovers and have a punt return touchdown negated by penalty.

"It's been a big deal for us to come out of the last two games with wins, but we definitely have some things we have to clean up because it's going to cost us at some point. The kids need a couple of days off; I need a day off."

The Bulldogs regained the lead with 33 seconds left in the third quarter on a 1-yard scoring run by Travail Jamison and a PAT kick by Blake Erickson. As it turned out, those were the last points of the game, but there was plenty of drama in the final 15 minutes.

The Spartans blew a chance to regain the lead at 9:31 of the fourth quarter when Justin Castellat missed a 45-yard field goal after converting previous kicks from 44 and 21 yards. Norfolk State's final two possessions ended in interceptions.

The key pick was by cornerback Phillip Adams at the S.C. State 28-yard line with 4:31 remaining. The junior stepped in front of Spartans top receiver Jamar Johnson to make the grab along the right sideline.

"We were in a cover two, and I jammed him a little bit at the line," Adam said. "I was expecting him to make a break to the outside and because I help deep I knew I could make a break for the ball."

The second pick was by converted receiver Terrance Smith at the Bulldogs 32 on the last play of the game.

"We have a lot of experience on the defensive side, and that has paid off big for us," said Pough. "Those guys made a lot of big plays with the game on the line."

Safety Markee Hamlin's tight coverage on a third-and-goal pass from the 4-yard line resulted in an incompletion and compelled the Spartans to settle for Castellat's 21-yard chip shot and a 23-17 lead at 3:10 of the third quarter.

The Bulldogs offense responded to Hamlin's stop by putting together a seven-play, 64-yard scoring drive that produced the final, decisive points. Will Ford's 43-yard burst up the middle to the Spartans 11 was the key play in the move.

Ford, the MEAC rushing yards leader, finished with 179 yards and one score on 18 carries. Malcolm Long was 15-for-27 passing for 189 yards and one touchdown.

Burke graduate Tre' Young had a huge game with seven catches for 101 yards and one touchdown, and had a 72-yard punt return tallied wiped out by a holding penalty. Young's 16-yard scoring catch put SC State on the board in the first quarter, and he hauled in a 53-yard bomb from Long in the second quarter that set up a 31-yard field goal by Erickson.

The Bulldogs defensive star was linebacker Marshall McFadden, who had 15 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and one pass break-up.