Wanted: South Carolina State runners

All-MEAC senior quarterback Malcolm Long returns seeking a third conference championship with a new stable of running backs.

ORANGEBURG, S.C. -- For South Carolina State to win its third straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title the Bulldogs' untested running backs are going to have to perform. Gone are Will Ford, the Bulldogs all-time leading rusher, and his backfield mate, Travil Jamison, who accounted for 21 touchdowns the past two seasons. The pair took nearly two-thirds of the carries last year, leaving few opportunities for the Bulldogs other runners.

Left tackle Johnny Culbreath remembers how much fun it was block for Ford the past three years. All he had to do was get in his stance, fire out and, more times than not, Ford was already past the line and headed for a big gain. "All you got to do is put your hands on your guy and in about two seconds, Will's going to come blowing by," Culbreath said. "That's all you've got to know about him."

Culbreath and the rest of the Bulldogs know they must adjust this season since Ford's successful run ended last fall as the MEAC's all-time leading career rusher with 4,660 yards. How quickly South Carolina State's backups fill Ford's shoes could determine if the Bulldogs have what it takes for a third straight conference title.

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