S.C. State starts spring practice, hopes to find improvement

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  -- South Carolina State head coach Buddy Pough begins his 13th round of spring football practices at 6:30 a.m. at the Oliver C. Dawson Stadium practice field.

S.C. State heads into the 2014 campaign looking to continue its recent success in which it rebounded from its first losing season under Pough in 2012 by finishing 9-4 overall in 2013 grabbing a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title and reaching the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs for the sixth time.

S.C. State seeks to replace 16 seniors from last year’s team, including starting quarterback Richard Cue, wide receiver Tyler McDonald, linebacker Joe Thomas of Blackville-Hilda, defensive backs Kimario McFadden and Darius Drummond and placekicker Nick Belcher. The spring also marks the return of running backs Jalen “Scoot” Simmons, Xavier Quick and Julius Pendergrass and offensive lineman Jairon “Shaq” Harrison from injury and the arrival of new defensive coordinator Tommy Restivo.

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