SCSU Bulldogs Roll Over FAMU Rattler 48-14 in MEAC Opener

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- South Carolina State put on an impressive showing defeating host Florida A&M, 48-14, Saturday (Sept. 24) at Bragg Stadium. The Bulldogs amassed 431 yards' total offense in the win.

SC State improved to 1-3 overall, 1-0 in the MEAC, while the Rattlers fall to 0-4 overall, 0-1 in the league. The win improves Pough's overall record to 13-1 over Florida A&M.

The Bulldogs scored first on a 3-yard toss from sophomore quarterback Caleb York to wide receiver Ahmaad Harris to jump ahead 7-0. FAMU tied the game 7-7 on a 19-yard strike from quarterback Kenneth Coleman to Desmond Noird.

Redshirt freshman running back Bishop Ford scored on a 1-yard punch to give the Bulldogs a 14-7 advantage. Freshman defensive lineman Paul McKeiver forced a fumble and recovered midway through the second quarter to put SC State in excellent scoring position.

York connected on a 14-yard touchdown score to Quan Caldwell to close out the first-half, giving South Carolina State a 21-7 lead over Florida A&M.

The second-half was all SC State with junior kicker Tyler Scandrett nailing back-to-back field goals of 31 and 27 to push the lead to 27-7. Sophomore tight end Deangelo Frazier caught his first collegiate touchdown on a 55-yard connection from York.

FAMU battled back to find the end zone for the second time on the night on a 2-yard run by Tevin Spells early in the fourth quarter. Ford and York connected on an 8-yard pass to give the Bulldogs a commanding 41-14 lead.

The Rattlers was doomed by costly turnovers, after redshirt junior linebacker Dayshawn Taylor ran a 52-yard interception back for a touchdown to seal the 48-14 victory for SC State.

The Bulldogs defense played lights out forcing seven (7) turnovers on the night with four interceptions and three fumbles. All-MEAC redshirt junior linebacker Darius Leonard led the charge on defense with a game-high 11 tackles, while senior defensive back Marquise Jones finished with two interceptions.

York led the air attack throwing 21-of-38 for 238 yards and four touchdowns, while Ford finished with his first career 100-yard rushing game with 14 carries for 105 yards and touchdown. He finished with 144 total All-purpose yards.

South Carolina State will have a bye next week before returning to action Saturday Oct.8, when they host Bethune-Cookman in a pivotal Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference showdown at O.C. Dawson Stadium. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN3/ESPNU (Tape-Delay).

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