S.C. State football expects even more improvement

Coach Buddy Pough's Bulldogs enter the 2010 pre-season ranked seventh in the nation in the FCS standings.

After two years of playing on an elite level, South Carolina State must replace key personnel entering this fall. But with the state of his program, coach Buddy Pough doesn't believe in using the 'R' word. "I don't think we can talk about rebuilding anymore," he said. "Our program's at the point now where we put some guys in some different spots and we continue to move on. We've got to be better. "Every year, regardless of who we lose, we expect to improve."

Pough and men's basketball coach Tim Carter spoke Thursday night to the university's Greater Augusta Alumni Chapter at Cafe 209. Pough has given the alumni reason to proudly wear their garnet and blue. The Bulldogs have won the past two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships with a combined 16-0 league mark. The team also went 10-3 and 10-2 the past two years, respectively, with losses to Appalachian State in the first round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs each year.

The Bulldogs entered the 2009 postseason ranked seventh in the nation in the FCS standings. They also ended the year No. 1 in three polls that rank Historically Black Colleges and Universities. "We want to be one of the top Championship Subdivision programs in the country," Pough said. "We don't necessarily want to be just a top HBCU program. We are working really hard to be with the Appalachian States and Georgia Southerns. Hopefully, we'll continue to improve."

S.C. State must replace its top two running backs, top two wide receivers and top tackler from last season. The Bulldogs return their entire offensive line, entire linebacking corps and senior quarterback Malcolm Long. The team will begin the 2010 season with a challenge. After losing at South Carolina in 2009, the Bulldogs open Sept. 4 at Georgia Tech.

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Defense dominates in S.C. State Spring Game‎

The defending two-time MEAC Champion Bulldogs will open the season September 4 when they make the short trip to Atlanta to face ACC champion Georgia Tech.

The old adage “every dog has his day” proved true Saturday for South Carolina State Bulldog defensive lineman Joe Council. It’s been a quiet three seasons for the Walterboro native since his transfer from East Carolina. But, during Saturday’s Spring Game at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, Council made plenty of noise with his aggressive play up front in helping the Blue (defense) pull away from the Garnet (offense) 24-13.

Though three players (linebacker Dawan Thompson, defensive back Titus Graham and linebacker Rashad Hampton) had one more tackle than Council’s six, the constant pressure and havoc he caused drew praise from the coaching staff and helped set the tone for the Blue.

“My coaches kept believing in me and kept telling me to concentrate on the little things and I started doing that and started seeing what they were talking about,” Council said. “Coach (David) Blanchard and (Coach) Adams, they believed in me and told me what I was doing wrong. I kept working, kept at it and had a good day.” “Joe is growing up a little bit,” S.C. State head football coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough said. “It’s good to see because we need those guys defensively to get going.”

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SCSU wraps up football practice today with Spring Game‎

South Carolina State Bulldogs All-MEAC linebacker Marshall McFadden returns from a season of inactivity due to a broken wrist.

From a team standpoint, head football coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough saw Friday’s practice as being just as important as today’s Spring Game.“We got enough done to make sure that we didn’t waste a day and that’s what we were trying to get done,” he said. “We wanted to get a good solid day’s work and I thought we got that done.”

While today’s 2 p.m. controlled scrimmage at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium is an opportunity for fans to get a slight “sneak preview” of the 2010 edition of the two-time defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions, Friday’s session allowed the team to put the finishing touches on spring practices. With the work behind them, the Bulldogs look to put on a strong showing before the home fans.

“Saturday’s game is now more just a culmination of activities,” Pough said. “It’s not nearly as important as the practices that led up to Saturday. It’s more an opportunity for our fans to come out and see us play a little bit and kind of see themselves.”

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Ex-Citadel standout gets fresh start with S.C. State‎

ORANGEBURG, S.C. -- Two years ago, Asheton Jordan was the top freshman running back in the Southern Conference with a promising future ahead of him at The Citadel. On Saturday, the Stratford High School product will play in South Carolina State's Garnet and Blue spring game with an eye toward securing a starting spot on coach Buddy Pough's team next fall. It's a fresh start for the 6-0, 206-pound Jordan, who spent last season on S.C. State's scout team after transferring from The Citadel, where he rushed for 711 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman in 2008.

South Carolina State University Bulldogs Coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough: "Any time you follow a guy who is the leading rusher in the history of your conference, that's pretty heavy stuff," Pough said. "But I think Asheton has got a shot."

"It was tough to see them play every day last year and to just be running scout team," Jordan said before a recent spring practice. "I was glad to help the team get as far as they did, but I'm ready to be out there playing now." Jordan and S.C. State's other running backs have huge shoes to fill with the departure of Will Ford, who rushed for 1,032 yards and eight TDs a year ago while leading S.C. State to a 10-2 record, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title and a berth in the FCS playoffs. Ford is the all-time leading rusher in MEAC and S.C. State history.

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Wherry leads S.C.State offense in 1st scrimmage

Running back Devin Wherry had one mission in mind entering spring practice for South Carolina State. “I came with the mindset of getting me a job in a spot” he said. “I treat it as everything is open.” Used primarily as a blocking fullback as a freshman, Wherry used Saturday’s scrimmage at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium to display his versatility. He had a 2-yard touchdown run and was a primary receiving target out of the backfield.

“Devin is coming along real good,” quarterback Malcolm Long said. “He was a freshman last year, really didn’t a chance last year. He came out and had a really good day today running and catching.” Long led the Bulldogs on three scoring drives, utilizing short passes to Wherry, Lennel Elmore and Erin Norwood to move the football. “Our first offense had some some success against our second-team defense and that’s generally a possibility,” S.C. State head football coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough said.

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South Carolina State Coach Pough picks program progress over pay

Coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough and FAMU's Coach Joe Taylor shares the same attorney in Ricky Lefft. However, Coach Pough owns the MEAC championship crown.

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Joseph “Ricky” Lefft and his family go back a long way with South Carolina State head football coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough. If anyone can attest to Pough’s coaching credentials, it would be his friend, attorney and agent. “People know that Buddy is not just a good coach, he’s an exceptional coach,” Lefft said. “So his record (67-26 overall in eight seasons at S.C. State) speaks for itself. They haven’t backed down from anybody. He’s got a real good coaching staff. They’ve done it the right way. They’re extremely well-organized. They do it very professionally.”

Such insight was apparently not a secret to other schools like Southern University where rumors surfaced about interest in hiring a coach -- potentially Pough -- at an annual base salary of $300,000. Pough and Southern denied discussing that school’s opening, and the school eventually settled on Citadel graduate and former NFL running back Stump Mitchell, who has a contract that pays $200,000 per season. At the same time, Lefft was finalizing a contract extension which would keep Pough on the Bulldog sidelines through 2015.

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S.C. State's Blackwell’s departure due to health, financial opportunity

Joe Blackwell stopped himself near mid-sentence. “I hate to use my health (as an excuse) because of Urban Meyer,” he said referencing the head football coach of the Florida Gators, who made national headlines recently by announcing he was stepping away due to health problems only to not step away at all. The newly former offensive line coach and offensive coordinator of the South Carolina State Bulldogs was doing his best Wednesday to explain why he is no longer a member of the team’s coaching staff. Health was a key factor in making the decision.

“I’m at the point, I’m 40, and I missed some time last spring with a heart catheterization,” he said. “The spring before that, I missed some time during recruiting with some health issues.” A look at the family tree dictates maybe it is time to take a step back. “My father died of a heart attack when he was 47,” Blackwell said. “My grandfather died when he was 39. We have five generations that haven’t lived past 47.”

Needless to say, Blackwell has a good cardiologist on call. But, the man who called the plays for an offense that ranked first in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in scoring (30.4 ppg) and second total offense (365.8 ypg) a season ago, didn’t step away just because of his health. Blackwell said he is not a “money guy.” But, he stepped away, in part, because of money.

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South Carolina State Releases 2010 Football Schedule

ORANGEBURG, SC – South Carolina State, Thursday, announced its 2010 football schedule, which includes five home games for a second straight year, one Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent and two new teams. The two teams on the 2010 slate that were not on last year’s schedule are Mississippi Valley of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and intrastate rival Benedict. SC State will host Mississippi Valley Sept. 11, renewing a rivalry that has been dormant since 1961, and meet Benedict a week later – Sept. 18 – in Columbia. The Tigers return to the schedule after a one-year hiatus.

The Bulldogs, two-time defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions, open the 2010 campaign Sept. 4 at Georgia Tech, marking the fourth straight year Coach Buddy Pough’s squad will face an FBS team. In addition to Mississippi Valley State, other home games are Norfolk State (Oct. 9), Bethune-Cookman (Oct. 16), Hampton, the homecoming contest (Oct. 23), and Howard (Nov. 6).

SCSU Bulldogs Coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough opens the 2010 schedule at Georgia Tech, 2009 Atlantic Coast Conference Champions

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2010 SCSU Bulldogs Football Schedule
9/4 at Georgia Tech Atlanta, GA TBD
9/11 Mississippi Valley State Orangeburg, SC TBD
(Hall of Fame)
9/18 at Benedict Columbia, SC TBD
9/25 Open
10/2 at Florida A&M* Tallahassee, FL TBD
10/9 Norfolk State* Orangeburg, SC TBD
(Youth/ROTC Day)
10/16 Bethune-Cookman * Orangeburg, SC TBD
(Community Day)
10/23 Hampton* Orangeburg, SC TBD
(Homecoming)
10/30 at Delaware State* Dover, DE TBD
11/6 Howard* Orangeburg, SC TBD
(Senior Day)
11/13 at Morgan State* Baltimore, MD TBD
11/20 at North Carolina A&T* Greensboro, NC TDB

11/27 NCAA FCS Division I Playoffs
*MEAC Contest

After 9 Years, South Carolina State's Buddy Pough Still Having Fun

S.C. State's Coach Buddy Pough is becoming a bigger name in South Carolina football than his previous mentor-employer at the University of South Carolina, Coach Steve Spurrier. Coach Pough was named the 2009 Palmetto State College Coach of the Year, amongst many other awards. (Photo: Spurrier and Pough at mid-field following hard fought 38-14 win by Gamecocks over Bulldogs in 2009).

After nine years, the job is still fun for South Carolina State head football coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough. What’s not to love about coaching his alma mater in his hometown? From leading the Bulldogs to three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles, two Top 15 finishes in the national Football Championship Subdivision rankings and a black college football national championship, Pough has reached many of his goals since succeeding Willie Jeffries in 2001.

Pough’s 67-26 record after eight seasons is virtually identical to the legendary Jeffries’ after nine seasons (66-27-4). Nevertheless, Pough begins preparation for Year Nine of his tenure with the start of spring practice Monday with many unattained goals on his agenda.

In this week’s Sunday Conversation, Pough discusses the program, life in Orangeburg and what to expect during the spring.

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South Carolina State gets more powerful; Signs 22 new All-Stars

Midlands talent boosts S.C. State

South Carolina State's back-to-back MEAC championships and appearances in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs have not gone unnoticed by recruits. The Bulldogs landed a class of 22 players Wednesday, highlighted by a dozen instate players. "We're getting a different kind of reception from people in general, both instate and in neighboring states," S.C. State coach Buddy Pough said. C.J. Wilson, a Shrine Bowl offensive tackle from Richland Northeast High, was more than happy to sign with the Bulldogs. "I was looking for the best school that fit me," the 6-foot-4, 270-pound Wilson said. "I've been to Orangeburg, and there's something about that place that kept me coming back."

A large part of the appeal was consecutive 10-win seasons, which both ended with tough first-round losses to perennial FCS power Appalachian State on the road, as well as a black college national championship this past season. Curtis Hill, a 6-1, 287-pound defensive tackle from Blythewood High, wants to take the Bulldogs even higher. "I would love to go there and play Appalachian State again, beat them and possibly go to the (FCS) national championship game," said Hill, who had an offer from Big 10 power Wisconsin earlier in the process. Coach Buddy Pough was thrilled to get both players.

SC State Signs 22 Football Prospects

S.C. State head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough said the Bulldogs meet all of its needs with the 2010 Class.

ORANGEBURG, SC – South Carolina State, on Wednesday, announced the signing of twenty-two prospects to national letters. Twelve of the Bulldog signees are from the Palmetto State, seven are from Georgia, two from North Carolina and one from Maryland. Three are from schools not far from the SC State campus. The 2010 Class, which features three Shrine Bowl and North-South All Star Game participants each, includes five wide receivers and defensive linemen each, four defensive backs, three offensive linemen, two prospects designated as athlete, and one running back, quarterback and linebacker each.

Coach Buddy and his staff were seeking help at defensive line, wide receiver and defensive back and it appears they met their goals for the most part. We had three areas (WR, DB, DL) that we concentrated our efforts on,” said Pough who begins his ninth season at the helm. “You are never certain about things, however, we think we addressed our needs. In this group, we have some outstanding personnel, some good people with strong credentials and several who are highly rated,” Pough continued. “Sometimes it takes some players a little longer than others to play well at this (collegiate) level, but I expect a few of these guys to come in and really fill some of the voids we have.

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2010 S.C. State Bulldogs Signed Recruits
1. Antuawn Blue WR 5-10 175 Dillon, S.C. Shrine Bowl
2. AJ Brown DL 6-5 380 Rockmart H.S., Rockmart, GA, Rivals 2 Star
3. Charles Brown RB 5-11 200 St. John’s College H.S., Capitol Hgts., MD 1,816yds, 24 TDs
4. Darius Drummond DB 6-0 170 Asheville H.S., Asheville, NC All-State
5. Santez Emory ATH 6-1 175 Heard County H.S., Franklin, GA All-State
6. Terrell Fitts LB 6-1 230 Glenn Hills H.S. Augusta, GA Georgia All-Star Game
7. Dtwane Fulmer WR 6-2 200 Hunter-Kinard-Tyler H.S., Springfield, SC All-State
8. Kendrick Frazier DL 6-3 250 Denmark-Olar H.S., Denmark, SC, North-South Game
9. Curtis Hill DL 6-2275 Blythewood H.S., Columbia, SC Rivals 3 Star
10. Matt Jackson DL 6-2 240 Camden CountyH.S., Kingsland, GA, Georgia State Champ
11. Schawn Jamison WR 6-1 175 Hunter-Kinard-Tyler H.S., Salley, SC All-State
12. Tyler McDonald WR 6-1 185 Stratford High/Fork Union H.S., Summerville, SC, North-South Game
13. Xavier McFadden DB 5-11 165 Rock Hill H.S., Rock Hill, SC, Shrine Bowl
14. Denzel Myers DB 5-11 180 North Charleston H.S., N. Charleston, SC North-South Game
15. Brandon Miller ATH 6-0 170 Manning H.S., Manning, SC, 2,000yds, 30TDs
16. Steven Murphy DB 6-1 180 Camden County H.S., St. Mary’s, GA, Georgia State Champ
17. Marquis Parks DL 6-3 260 Lincoln County H.S., Lincolnton, GA All-State
18. Dennis Rowe WR 6-3 190 Keenan H.S., Columbia, SC 42 Receptions, 1123 yds, 14TD
19. Jarrad Quarles OL 6-1 330 Richmond Academy, Augusta, GA All-Region
20. TeDarrius Wiley QB 6-2 185 Richmond County H.S., Rockingham, NC, NC State Champions
21. Cephas “CJ” Wilson OL 6-3 275 Richland Northeast H.S. Columbia, SC Shrine Bowl
22. Domanic Wilson OL 6-3 260 Lake City H.S., Scranton, SC 3-Yr. Starter

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Pough tabbed Palmetto State Coach of the Year

South Carolina State head football coach Buddy Pough has been named the 2009 Palmetto State College Coach of the Year and five Bulldogs earned a spot on the All-State team as selected by The (Columbia, SC) State newspaper and announced Wednesday. Pough guided SC State to a 10-2 overall record -- 8-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference – its second straight MEAC title and back-to-back appearances in the FCS playoffs.

Bulldogs named to the All-State team were running back Will Ford, wide receiver and return specialist Tre’ Young, offensive lineman Johnny Culbreath, linebacker David Erby and defensive back Phillip Adams. Ford, Young and Adams are all departing seniors, while Erby and Culbreath are juniors. Wednesday’s announcement was the second major accolade bestowed on SC State this week. On Monday, SC State was declared the 2009 National Black Champion by the Sheridan Broadcasting Network.

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SC State moves to extend Pough's contract

SC State moves to extend Pough's contract

At a time when colleges are filling head football coaching vacancies, South Carolina State furthered efforts Friday to keep around longer Oliver ‘Buddy’ Pough. On Friday, school attorney Ed Givens presented to the Board of Trustees a copy of a four-year contract extension offer given Thursday to Pough’s attorney Ricky Lefft. The deal would retain Pough at his alma mater through 2015 and increase his annual base salary starting in 2012 to $225,000. Pough was also reportedly given the right to hire nine assistant coaches and raise on his own outside funds, 40 percent of which would go back to the university’s athletics department.

Bulldogs take in $250000 more in 2009 season

South Carolina State University’s Bulldogs brought in more fans and money this year, the athletics director said. The creation of the Gamezone helped increase gross revenue for the 2009 football season more than $250,000 over 2008, Charlene Johnson said during an S.C. State board committee meeting. “I attribute promotion of football earlier in the year and Gamezone to that success,” Johnson said. Gamezone, “is still a work in progress.” Starting this season, the university began requiring fans to have a ticket to gain entry to the Gamezone area surrounding the stadium and pay for special parking passes in advance. The controversial policy is meant to generate additional revenue for the university during tight financial times, cut down on loitering and get more fans into the stands.

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South Carolina State 34, Grambling State 31

Coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough had South Carolina State Bulldogs in mid-season form against a great Grambling State Tigers program.

Bulldogs take measure of Grambling, 34-31, in MEAC/SWAC Challenge

There was already some sense of foreboding going through South Carolina State head football coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough entering Sunday’s MEAC/SWAC Challenge against Grambling. “I got scared when I got out of my car in Orlando on Friday afternoon when we got here because it was smoking,” he said. “It had been cool at home the last week, so we really hadn’t had any real hot weather for a while. So I knew that we might be in a little bit of trouble with the elements and when we came over here today, it was really hot when we walked on the field.”

Pough’s concerns became more legitimate as Bulldog players like quarterback Malcolm Long missed most of the second half due to heat cramps. On the same day he surpassed DeShawn Baker for second place on the school’s career rushing list, Walter Payton Award finalist William Ford saw limited action after injuring his left shoulder on the first play of the second half. Despite those adversities, the 16th-ranked Bulldogs still managed to hold off 25th-ranked Grambling 34-31 in a matchup of the top two teams in black college football. Backup redshirt freshman quarterback Derrick Wiley accounted for 118 total yards and one touchdown, all in the second half in relief of Long, to earn ESPN and “Challenge” Player of the Game honors.

Semaj Moody nabs win for SC State at MEAC/SWAC Challenge

Two weeks ago, catching passes was Semaj Moody's job on the football field. "Why'd Semaj move to DB?" South Carolina State Coach Buddy Pough asked, chuckling. "Because he couldn't catch."
Turns out he could, and when it most counted, too. Moody, who said he played cornerback for the first time in his collegiate career on Sunday, made a game-winning interception with fewer than 90 seconds remaining in the MEAC/SWAC challenge. He picked off Grambling State quarterback Greg Dillon at South Carolina State's 10-yard line, allowing the Bulldogs to run out the clock and keep a three-point lead. "That was Coach, good call," Moody said after the game. "All defensive line, DBs, everybody was just where they were supposed to be. I ran at the QB. ... It was a play that needed to be made and I made it."The interception ended the Tigers' comeback bid. The Bulldogs won the opener 34-31 before 21,367 at the Citrus Bowl.

SC State prevails in Black College showdown

South Carolina State used a national stage to show that it is one of the best teams in Black College football - if not the best. The Bulldogs continued the MEAC’s dominance in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Sunday by holding off Grambling State 34-31 in a nationally-televised game from the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. Malcolm Long passed for two touchdowns and Travil Jamison rushed for two more to lead South Carolina State (1-0) to the MEAC’s fourth win in the five-year history of the Challenge.

Legendary Coach Willie Jeffries, S.C. State University Bulldogs

Sunday Conversation with Willie Jeffries

When Willie Jeffries watches the MEAC/SWAC Challenge between South Carolina State and Grambling, he’ll have a rooting interest for both programs. Much like the late Eddie Robinson is synonymous with Grambling, Jeffries is seen as the face of the Bulldogs eight years after his retirement. He also served eight months in 2005 as the Tigers’ athletic director.

These days, Jeffries remains a man on the go from speaking engagements, to contributing to charitable causes. In an interview with T&D Senior Sports Writer Thomas Grant Jr., Jeffries talks about his post-retirement, S.C. State football and Coach Rob:

Q. In the eight years since coaching your last game at South Carolina State, you’ve been one of the hardest-working men in retirement. What is a typical day like for you?

Path to sports glory isn't always on the field

After a solid run playing linebacker at Duke University, where he lettered in his final season, Robert Vowels anticipated joining the helmeted warriors who knocked heads for big bucks on Sundays. Being cut by a pro-football team took the starch out that plan. Nevertheless, he got up, dusted himself off and made the transition from star player to studious pupil. He earned his law degree and, over time, parlayed his education into a series of upwardly mobile executive positions within college sports.

As he told the 350 or so juniors and seniors who attended the ESPN 101 Career Panel this week, reality may have cut short his on-field dreams, but having a Plan B kept him in the game. "Once you get punched in the face the first time, you have to make some choices," said Vowels, vice president for educational affairs for the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

It was a pin-drop moment in a session replete with such moments at the Walt Disney World branch of Boys & Girls Club in Pine Hills. When Vowels spoke, the crowd — consisting largely of hoopsters, footballers, and Stuart Scott wannabes from Evans, Jones, and Oak Ridge high schools in Orlando — listened intently. The session, among the activities orbiting the Disney-sponsored MEAC/SWAC Challenge football game, which pits two historically black colleges, was meant to familiarize sports-minded students with other pursuits.

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‘Ugly’ but ‘decent’ too: Pough cautiously optimistic after SCSU Garnet and Blue game

Oliver “Buddy” Pough took an openminded approach toward Saturday’s annual Garnet and Blue game at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. With several new faces looking to make a strong impression before 3,177 fans at the culminating scrimmage of the spring practice, Pough truly did not know what to expect. The best-case scenario was to have both sides of the football make big plays and display stretches of consistency. What started out as potentially a convincing win by the Blue team (defense) saw it edge out the Garnet (offense) 17-16.

“It was a spring game,” Pough said. “You see some ugly stuff. You see some pretty decent stuff. It looked like we’re still defensively a little bit ahead and that’s always a good thing because if you can stop people you’ve got a chance to win. So I think that was the case today.” Down 11-0 in the first half, the Garnet rallied to tie the game at 16-16 with 1:24 remaining following a 40-yard field goal in the fourth quarter by Blake Erickson. The Pensacola, Fla., native was a perfect 3-3 in the scrimmage, adding attempts from 20 and 25 yards and an extra point.

VIDEO- 2009 SPRING GAME HIGHLIGHTS: http://thetandd.com/vgallery/#vmix_media_id=3822868

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SCSU gets ‘The Rock,’ begins building next generation

Back in 2004, head coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough put together a signing class which provided major pieces to the championship foundation he’s built at South Carolina State. Center Raymond Harrison and tackle Nygel Pearson on offense and cornerback Terrance Allen, defensive end Cedric Lloyd (recruited originally as a tight end) and linebacker Tony White on defense were the main stalwarts of a class which produced 33 victories during their Bulldog careers and a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title this past season.

With all five players having completed their eligibility at S.C. State, Pough and his coaching staff set their goals on recruiting a “next generation” of Bulldogs hungry to maintain their predecessor’s success. The end result was the signing of 22 players on Wednesday targeted specifically to address immediate and future needs.

“I’m excited (about this year’s class),” Pough said. “I think our coaching staff did a fantastic job in identifying high level prospects and getting them to sign with S.C. State.” The Bulldogs received good news early on Sunday after receiving a letter of intent giving them a piece of “The Rock” the next four years. In Timberland running back Rockarius King, S.C. State gets a back that’s fifth in the state all-time in rushing yards with 6,343 yards and a potential heir apparent to senior tailback Will Ford.

S.C. State's 22 Football Signees

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. High School Hometown

Trent Barnes TE/DL 6-3 242 Dublin Dublin, Ga.
Tristan Bellamy OL 6-3 285 Strom Thurmond Johnston
Jerico Brown DL 6-0 255 Glenn Hills Augusta, Ga.
Pat Burris DB 5-11 180 South Pointe
Cedric Chisolm OL 6-5 270 West Ashley Charleston
Richard Cue QB 6-2 190 Wilson Florence
LaQuan Gilliard WR 6-3 186 Pinewood Prep Summerville
Mason Harris DB 5-11 175 First Colonial Virginia Beach, Va.
Thomas Hart OL 6-2 301 O-Wilkinson Orangeburg
Cortney Ingram LB 5-11 200 Baldwin County Milledgeville, Ga.
Erskine Johnson OL 6-3 270 Conway Conway
Rockarius King RB 5-7 170 Timberland St. Stephen
William Kirkland OL 6-5 280 Lancaster Lancaster
Marcus Lloyd WR 6-3 185 Manning Manning
Donovan Malloy DB 5-10 190 Hartsville Hartsville
Darius Nelson OL 6-5 250 Baldwin Milledgeville, Ga.
Cedric Proctor QB 6-0 175 Chesnee Chesnee
Malcolm Reed DL 6-4 250 Fayette County Fayetteville, Ga.
Leon Smith DL 6-1 285 James Island James Island
Javon Weston DL 6-2 270 Crestwood Dalzell
Devin Wherry RB 6-0 220 South Pointe Rock Hill
Rashad Hampton, LB, 6-2, 215, Airport High, West Columbia

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Best of Oliver "Buddy" Pough - 2008

Excerpt:

About hiring new assistant coaches: “I get a lot of feedback from people, from our fans saying that we’re tired of us training coaches for other schools. I take it as a compliment that we hire people here who are taken by other coaches. I think that means more than anything that we hired the right people. At the same time, I need to get more out of them when I get them here.”

Following the 54-0 loss to Clemson: “We’ve put Clemson pretty much to bed this year. We said goodbye and let’s move on.”

Reflecting on the victory over Florida A&M: This FAMU game was one where I was really concerned, especially after they saw them on tape against Tennessee State, I’ll be honest with you. They scared the fool out of me. They went down the field almost as effortless as you could possibly imagine. The first three drives, the game is 21-0 before Tennessee State got off the bus. So I was afraid that we were going to get beat Saturday, and I guess that’s the reason for our relief of sorts because of the fact that we were able to be successful.”

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Bulldogs’ Pough enjoying dream job

Buddy Pough is living his dream. Growing up in Orangeburg, all Pough wanted to do was be part of his hometown team at South Carolina State. And for the majority of his life, he has done just that whether it has been as a fan, player or a coach. N-3n his seventh season as head coach, Pough gets to lead the Bulldogs into their first playoff game in 26 years when S.C. State faces three-time defending FCS champion Appalachian State on Saturday.

“It’s been an interesting journey,” Pough said. “To get the program back on our feet when other state universities are having problems has been a positive note.” From his coaching style his emotional pregame speeches, Pough’s passion and love for his university are evident. “He lives and breathes S.C. State football,” said Bulldogs receiver Phillip Morris, a Timmonsville native. “He is a great guy all around and great for the university.”

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SCSU Pough doesn’t want momentum derailed by Clemson Tigers

Orangeburg, S.C. -- In hindsight, South Carolina State head football coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough probably would have scheduled a different opponent. With the Bulldogs showing progress in their two straight victories, the last thing Pough wants to see is his team demoralized by a Football Bowl Subdivision team. Such a possibility exists in Pough’s mind with a Clemson University team he sees as a talent “mismatch” for S.C. State.















South Carolina State University head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough is the MEAC favorite to win the '08 conference title and automatic FCS playoff berth.

“The problem is they are in a bad spot for us,” Pough said Monday. “We’re starting to really build some momentum and it’s kind of a downer deal with this issue. I really want to go out and beat the starch out of somebody this week to really kind of keep us going. The last thing I’m looking for is to go into a situation as a double-digit underdog and that’s what we’ll be. Not only does Pough see the game as a difficult match up from a personnel standpoint, but an emotional one.

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SCSU Bulldogs hold 'lively' practice

Sophomore quarterback Malcolm Long

South Carolina State worked out in full pads Thursday morning during an approximate two-hour drill which emphasized team-style execution and fundamentals, according to head coach Buddy Pough. The Bulldogs also completed their installations during the session, which Pough called lively.

“We had great weather again,” Pough said “and this led to a lot of enthusiasm. The players were very lively and appear to be excited about the upcoming season. “We have mostly identified those players that will make up our depth chart in just about every area with the exception of special teams where we still have some development to do, but we expect that area to be set in a week or so.”

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SCSU Dogs' 'D' dominates Monday evening session

South Carolina State, following a day off Sunday, returned to the practice field Monday as the Bulldogs conducted two workouts. The Bulldogs conducted a 6:15 a.m. drill in full pads, then came back for a 6:50 p.m. workout in just shorts, helmets and shoulder pads.

S.C. State head coach Buddy Pough termed the morning session a lively and productive one, attributing his team’s performance to the cool temperatures. The evening practice, which was mostly devoted to the passing game – both offensively and defensively – was dominated by the defense, according to Pough.

“Going early gave us a chance to get in a real productive practice,” Pough said “Not having to worry about the weather, allowed us to maintain our focus and be more productive.

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