SC State Pulls Out Tough 10-7 Victory Over Hampton

ORANGEBURG, SC—The South Carolina State Bulldogs (5-2, 3-1 MEAC)turned things around with a hard fought 10-7 victory over the Hampton University Pirates (5-2, 4-1 MEAC), Saturday at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.

The Bulldogs celebrating “Homecoming 2010” took advantage of every option in front of a home crowd 22,000 students, alums, and former Bulldog athletes to preserve the victory.

“We are happy to get a win and it wasn’t easy beating a team like Hampton,” stated SC State head coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough. “We kind of got things together and turned our week around after a tough loss to Bethune-Cookman a week ago.”

Bulldogs boot the Pirates, 10-7

ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Scott’s Erickson’s 48-yard field goal with 7:32 to go in the fourth quarter lifted South Carolina State to a 10-7 conference victory against Hampton on Saturday before a homecoming crowd of 22,010 at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.

The win allowed the Bulldogs (5-2, 3-1) to stay in the running for at least a share of the MEAC title and a spot in the FCS playoffs. Hampton (5-2, 4-1) saw its five-game winning streak end.

“That was a win that we had to have, and we found a way to get it done against a real good team,” Bulldogs coach Buddy Pough said. “Scott’s been hitting them pretty good for us all season, so I was pretty confident when I sent him out. He’s as good as you’ll find in the country.”

Hampton University's five-game winning streak ends with 10-7 loss at South Carolina State

ORANGEBURG, S.C. — In a game dominated by defense, Hampton's MEAC showdown with two-time defending South Carolina State on Saturday came down to special teams.

The host Bulldogs received a decisive 48-yard field goal from Scott Erickson with 7:23 remaining in the fourth quarter, while Hampton freshman Rodrigo Hernandez was 0-for-2, including a botched-snap mishap that doomed a potential game-tying bid from 37 yards out with 3:14 to go.

Erickson's 10th straight successful kick was the longest of his career, and lifted the Bulldogs (5-2, 3-1 MEAC) to a 10-7 win that kept their conference championship hopes alive. For the Pirates (5-2, 4-1), it was the end of a five-game winning streak and the fifth straight loss to S.C. State.

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ATTENDANCE: 22,010