S.C. State focuses on running game during Tuesday’s practice

South Carolina State resumed spring football drills Tuesday with a two-hour workout in full pads. It was the Bulldogs first practice since Saturday's scrimmage.

During Tuesday's drill, the Bulldogs' focus was on ironing out some of the issues from Saturday's scrimmage, according to Pough. He also noted that during some of Tuesday's breakout drills, his team put a lot of emphasis on the running game.

"We primarily wanted to concentrate on correcting some of those things that we did not execute well during Saturday's scrimmage," Pough said. "This was our eighth practice and we got just seven more to go and a lot of work left.



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VISIT: SCSUATHLETICS

S.C. State Bulldogs follow the lead of top player

Jarne Gleaton’s never-give-up attitude seems to have rubbed off on her South Carolina State teammates. Gleaton, a former two-sport standout at Airport High, has overcome two knee surgeries to take her volleyball career at South Carolina State to new heights in her senior year. The Bulldogs also have overcome adversity this season to become a contender in the MEAC race.

“We’re finally finding our identity,” Gleaton said of the Bulldogs, who have won five of their past six matches and are tied for second in the MEAC Southern Division with a 4-2 record. “We were battling the entire season trying to find it. Now, I really have confidence in everybody. I feel we all have that confidence in each other now.”

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Coach Buddy Pough Show: SCSU vs. FAMU

New members of S.C. State board help undo vote to oust president

Two weeks after a divided board voted 7-4 not to renew his position as president, Dr. George Cooper is back as head of South Carolina State University. The board met Thursday morning with new members Robert Waldrep Jr. and Patricia Lott replacing Lumus Byrd and Earl Bridges. Both Byrd and Bridges had voted against rehiring Cooper as president on June 14. Their terms expired July 1. The board voted 8-5 to rescind and expunge from the minutes the non-renewal of Cooper's position as president of the university. A few minutes later, trustees again voted 8-5 to rehire Cooper, whose position ended on June 30.

Voting to rehire Cooper were John Corbitt, Linda Edwards-Duncan, Patricia Lott, Robert Nance, Jonathan Pinson, Matthew Richardson, Robert Waldrep Jr. and Lancelot Wright. Voting not to rehire were Reggie Gallant, Karl Green, Martha Smith, Walt Tobin and Maurice Washington. A standing-room-only group of faculty members, staff and alumni greeted the vote with a standing ovation, cheers and applause.

Cooper responded that he did "not take this vote lightly as we reaffirm our mission as a land-grant university and meet our highest goal - the education needs of our students." Cooper says he can and will work with the entire board to follow through on what is best for the university. "I want you to know that I will work with the board to stay focused on priorities and open lines of communication that will improve our work as a board and administration," he said. The polarized board voted 8-5 on all issues except the election of Robert Nance as secretary of the board. The five trustees who voted to elect Judge Merl Code as interim president Monday at the board retreat opposed all motions at the meeting on Thursday. They were not present but voted via teleconference.

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Jeffries Named South Carolina State University Head Coach Emeritus‎

"I accept this honor and role with great humility, not just for myself but for all the young men I've coached."

Former South Carolina State football coach Willie Jeffries, who attained legendary status at his alma mater before retiring nine years ago, has been named Head Football Coach Emeritus at the school where he won more football games than any other coach. A recommendation from SC State athletics director Charlene Johnson and President George Cooper to elevate Jeffries to "Emeritus" status was approved by the university's Board of Trustees at its February 26 meeting.

Not only will Jeffries wear a new title, the former Bulldog coach will also serve as a liaison between the university, its alumni and other constituents and also help market the university.

"Coach Jeffries and his wide appeal to so many of our stakeholders and other constituents provide us a great opportunity to brand and market the University," Dr. Cooper said. "He can help us frame relationships that will increase support for athletics." "Coach Jeffries is truly admired by so many," said Johnson, "Not just for his achievements in athletics, but also for his humanitarian contributions to this community, this state and society."

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MEAC Notebook: Special-teams scoring helps boost Hampton

■ Hampton opened its MEAC season by rallying for a 38-27 win over Howard last week. The Pirates scored all of their points in the second half, and Kevin Teel returned kickoffs 87 and 90 yards for touchdowns. "Special teams are a key part of a football game, and if you want to win, they have to perform well," Coach Jerry Holmes of Hampton said.

■ Winston-Salem State has struggled with its kicking game, but it isn't alone. Hampton, Norfolk State and Delaware State are the only MEAC teams that have kicked field goals this season. WSSU had a chance to tie Savannah State with 23 seconds left Saturday, but Adnan Kljajic missed a 27-yard attempt when it banged off the left upright. In two games, Kljajic is 0 for 3 on field-goal attempts and 1 for 2 on point-after attempts.

Hampton is 3 of 4 on field-goal attempts, Norfolk State is 4 of 7, and Delaware State is 1 of 5. Florida A&M and S.C. State have yet to attempt a field goal.

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