SCSU FB Preseason: Pough Likes Excitement from Young Players

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- The Bulldogs conducted their second day of preseason practice Saturday (Aug.4th) afternoon in an almost three-hour session at O.C. Dawson Stadium/Willie Jeffries Field.

"We are just on day two still in the installation phase trying to get some of these young guys acclimated to the system, said head coach Buddy Pough. "It does run smoothly because most of the guys were here this summer so the process isn't that difficult."

"The best part about preseason is the players came back in better shape this year than previous," said Pough. "We still have our ups and downs because we are younger than the teams in the past at skill positions. The enthusiasm I am seeing from these young guys overshadow how young we are, so hopefully we can develop them over the next month in a player that can help us during the season."

When you look at South Carolina State this season in certain key areas the youth is definitely there in Pough's team.

In at special teams the Bulldogs are expected to better than previous years with two freshman kickers in Austin Kemp and Dillon Bredesen. At punter Preseason All-MEAC punter redshirt sophomore Cliff Benjamin, Jr and veteran punter redshirt senior Jerome Pettiway both are expected to play key roles if SC State is to be successful in their kicking game this upcoming 2018 season.

The Bulldogs will be off Sunday before returning to the field in morning practice on Monday (Aug. 6th) at 9:30 a.m. in helmets , followed by an afternoon workout on Tuesday (Aug. 7th ) at 2:30 p.m. in shells.

SC State will hold its Media/Picture Day on Saturday, Aug. 11, beginning at 9 a.m. The annual "Meet the Players Day/Fan Fest," hosted by The S.T.A.T.E Club, is set for Saturday, Aug. 25th from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. School supplies will be given away by Bulldog coaches and players to the first 120 kids. More details will be available on these events at a later date.

South Carolina State opens the 2018 campaign on the road against Georgia Southern in the season-opener in Statesboro, GA on Sept. 1st. Kickoff is 6 p.m. and will be televised live on ESPN+.

Season tickets and single-game tickets for SC State's five home games are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased at the Ticket Office on campus. For more information on how you can purchase your season tickets visit www.scsuathletics.com or call (803) 536-8579.

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS