Offense finally comes to life in Indiana's football victory over South Carolina State

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana University football opponents are paying special attention to Damarlo Belcher, and with good reason: The senior from Fort Wayne, Ind., is the Big Ten's active leader in receptions and yardage.

But as South Carolina State and an announced (but early departing) crowd of 41,203 learned Saturday, Belcher isn't the lone Hoosier with good hands.

Duwyce Wilson caught six passes for 101 yards to lead nine IU players with at least one reception as a trio of quarterbacks completed 24 of 32 passes for 288 yards total. Add in 279 net yards rushing and the Hoosiers put together the type of offense that first-year coach Kevin Wilson had promoted throughout the preseason and in a pair of opening losses.

The result was a 38-21 win for the Hoosiers that, while not at all pretty, was their first under the new coaching staff.

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S.C. State defense redeems itself with victory over B-CU

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Safety Dominique Ellis was willing to take the heat.

As a senior leader in the S.C. State secondary, Ellis took full responsibility for last week's 21-6 loss to Central Michigan. In the contest, the 23rd-ranked Bulldogs gave up two critical long touchdown passes in the first half.

"The defense - we lost that game for us," he said. "I'll say it. Everybody will say it's on everybody. But we gave up two deep balls. If you think about it. If we change those two plays, we're in the game in the fourth."

Facing a 24th-ranked Bethune-Cookman team which put up 63 points and 500 total yards of offense a week earlier, Ellis and the defense were determined to redeem themselves. With two of the Bulldogs' four interceptions, including a game-clinching 55-yard tourchdown pick in the 26-18 victory, Ellis seemingly more than made amends.

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S.C. Bulldogs return to the practice field today

Orangeburg, S.C. - South Carolina State will resume preseason football practice Monday evening at 6:40 p.m., following a day away from the field Sunday. The coaching staff and players used the day off to attend church services at Mount Pisgah Baptist Church.

The players also got in some light work in the weight room and some rehab with the Bulldog sports medicine staff.

The Bulldogs were scheduled to practice twice on Monday, however, head coach Buddy Pough gave his team the morning off. S.C. State will also work out on Tuesday at 6:40 p.m.

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From QB to coach, Malcolm Long still guiding SCSU Bulldogs

Orangeburg, S.C. - Malcolm Long wants South Carolina State fans to view his football legacy in a positive way. "I'd like to be remembered as a successful quarterback," he said.

The school record books can more than affirm the Gaffney native's accomplishments. During Long's four seasons under center, he essentially rewrote the S.C. State all-time record book by surpassing 15 single-game, single-season and career marks.

There's also the 27-8 overall and 21-1 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference record as a three-year starter to go with three conference titles, three Football Championship Subdivision playoff appearances, a 2009 Black College Football National Championship, not to mention five Class 4-A titles in football (3) and basketball (2) at Gaffney High School.

Yet rather than continue...

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NFL lockout puts life on hold for free agents, ex-SCSU Bulldogs

Former Bulldogs Marshall McFadden

Orangeburg, S.C. - Josh Harrison went back to school, Semaj Moody took up working odd jobs and Marshall McFadden hit the links.

Since going undrafted in April's NFL Draft, the trio of former S.C. State Bulldogs have put their life in a holding pattern working out, waiting, hoping, passing the time and mortgaging the immediate future for a shot at their dream, an NFL contract. Needless to say, with their fate still undecided as the NFL lockout rolls into July with no end in sight and contact with free agents prohibited, there is a bit of restlessness.

"I can't wait until it gets over," Moody, a former star at Denmark-Olar High School said. "I want to know what is going to happen ... whether I get a job or get a call. I'm just hoping everything falls into place really fast."

Moody, who had 22 tackles and two interceptions for S.C. State last season, has been...

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South Carolina State's Pough finds success recruiting area stars

Augusta, GA - It makes sense for Oliver "Buddy" Pough to keep coming back to Augusta.

The South Carolina State football coach continues to see the benefits of trips to the area, and Thursday night was a chance for Augusta-area students and families to see what the Bulldogs have to offer. About 150 people interacted with South Carolina State alumni, representatives and officials as the Greater Augusta Alumni Chapter of South Carolina State University held its 15th annual Bulldogs Nite Out in the CSRA at Julian Smith Casino.

"We've got some good players from here. Any time you seem to have success somewhere, you tend to come back, so here we are," Pough said. "It's almost like an in-state area for us. These guys are only about 90 minutes away so there's a good recognition of South Carolina State here. We got a lot of alumni in the area. It's just a great place to come."



Local students -- most coming from Aiken, Columbia and Richmond counties -- had the chance to meet members of the South Carolina State family, even getting time to walk around to different tables in a 30-minute information sessions period.

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Spotted: Bulldogs Nite Out in the CSRA

Becton leaves SCSU football program for job with Huskies

Orangeburg, SC -- There are at least two weeks remaining for the second annual "Lift-A-Bulldog" campaign to cover expenses for the football team to enroll in summer school and work out on campus.

Should head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough reach his goal of $50,000 which would be matched by the athletics department to make it possible for the team to remain this summer in Orangeburg, the players will be working with a new strength and conditioning coach.

The T&D has confirmed that Torre Becton has left the program to accept a new job with the University of Washington. Becton will serve as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Huskies' football team.

"The University of Washington is in a major conference," Becton said in a telephone interview. "It's an up-and-coming program under head coach Steve Sarkisian and it was just an opportunity that was too much to turn down."

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Detroit Lions Takes South Carolina State's OT Johnny Culbreath in 7th Round

Detroit Lions Johnny Culbreath

ALLEN PARK, Mich.— The Detroit Lions took offensive lineman Johnny Culbreath with what's likely their final pick of this year's NFL draft, No. 209 overall. Culbreath, 6-foot-5, 322 pounds and a four-year starter, is from Robert Porcher's alma matter South Carolina State.

"A little bit of a developmental project but he has all the tools," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said.

The Lions have made five picks in the draft and don't have any selections remaining as the seventh round ticks down to its conclusion.

2011 NFL Draft: Jim Schwartz Discusses Johnny Culbreath Pick

Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz met with the media to discuss Johnny Culbreath, the team's seventh-round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft. Via the Lions, here is a transcript of the media session:

On T Johnny Culbreath
"Johnny, four-year starter at South Carolina State, big man, good athlete, lower-level competition, but I spent a lot of time with him. Myself, Dave Sears our area scout, and Jeremiah Washburn our assistant o-line coach went down to South Carolina's workout. We happened to be able to see South Carolina State's also. It was raining so they came over to the indoor facility. They had a really, really good workout and his tape was good so we brought him in here to spend some time with our coaches. We like his size, we like his athletic ability, he's a little bit of a developmental project, but he has the tools. He's a guy that our coaches are very anxious to work with."

On whether he'll be an inside or outside player
"It's probably too early to say. He's played tackle, could play left and right; but there's a possibility to move him to guard. He's a good athlete, bends really well, again, four-year starter. I don't know if this is the gospel truth, but he committed to Florida State out of High School and didn't have the grades, so he ended up at South Carolina State. He's got a pretty good lineage. We didn't pick him because he supposedly committed to Florida State, we picked him based on his tape from South Carolina State, based on his size and based on the workout that he had and also for when we brought him in for a physical. He wasn't at the combine, so we needed to bring him here to get a physical."

NFL Draft 2011: Johnny Culbreath Speaks About Being Picked By Detroit Lions

Shortly after becoming the Detroit Lions' seventh-round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft, South Carolina State offensive lineman Johnny Culbreath had a conference call with the media. Via the Lions, you can check some quotes from that call below.

On his journey to the NFL
"I had committed to Florida State and ended up going to South Carolina State due to grades and GPA and test scores and stuff. I had a great career there; we were three-time MEAC Championships behind me and my great offensive linemen and great running back corps. and great guys we had there. I had a lot of great achievements there. I was two-time All American; I was also player of the year in our conference my junior year. I had a really great season there. This has all worked out for the better, I guess."

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VISIT: SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: SCSU BULLDOGS

New offense improves, defense doesn’t in SCSU’s second scrimmage

South Carolina State Bulldogs Coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough

Orangeburg, S.C. - Derrick Wiley dropped back in the pocket, scanned the field and took off.

Like a blur, the fleet-footed quarterback from North Carolina hit a seam in the defense, bounced to the outside and scooted up the sideline for a first down. Four plays into S.C. State's second scrimmage of the spring Saturday, the first apparent passing play called, Wiley was on the run.

All indications heading into the team's April 16 spring game are that such will become the norm in 2011. The Bulldogs passed the ball during Saturday's scrimmage, which lasted just under an hour and a half, but they ran it more. And, when they ran it, they did so with a spread-option, up-tempo style attack similar to the one employed by Oregon.

SC State Conducts Second Scrimmage

ORANGEBURG, SC – South Carolina State's second scrimmage of the spring was cut short after approximately 90 minutes Saturday at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. Coach Buddy Pough called the scrimmage after center Tristan Bellamy, who has taken virtually every snap in spring drills, developed cramps. Backup center Erskine Johnson was slowed by an allergy.

'We wanted to go longer,” Pough said “But we have so many linemen out and Tristan (Bellamy) came up with cramps and Erskine (Johnson) has a little bit of an allergy issue so we decided to cut it short.”

During the one hour and 30-minute workout, the Bulldog offense was very effective at times as both junior Derrick Wiley and redshirt sophomore Richard Cue combined to direct several scoring drives against the usually vaunted SC State defense. Pough was glad to see the offense sustain its momentum from earlier in the week; however, he was disappointed that the defense was not very effective.

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VISIT: SCSUEDU
VISIT: SCSUATHLETICS

S.C. State: Cue looking to make his case in Bulldogs’ quarterback battle

Malcolm Long came to South Carolina State as the most heralded recruit of the Buddy Pough era.

Long delivered, setting multiple school passing records and leading the team to three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles. His playing days at the school over, the big gunner from Gaffney High stood on the field at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium Thursday night in windbreaker pants watching the Bulldogs run through practice.

"Good throw Cue!" Long said looking up from talking with a reporter. A few seconds later, the same, "Good throw Cue!"

It is becoming a theme - the "Good throw Cue" thing - it seems, at Bulldogs' practice. Richard Cue, a 6-1, 185 redshirt sophomore from Wilson High School, entered into the spring in a three-way battle to replace Long. His opponents in that battle - a pair of brothers, TeDarrius and Derrick Wiley.

Deep and deeper: Bulldogs have stable of runners ready to hit the ground running

Assistant coach Danny Lewis looks at his South Carolina State running backs and sees plenty of potential.

The Bulldogs return three juniors in Asheton Jordan, Devin Wherry and Chris Merrill, who each displayed moments of superior play last season. Looking to enter the mix is last year's highly sought high school senior running back Charles Brown and looming in the future are the anticipated arrivals of newly signed running backs Dondre Lewis-Freeman, Jalen "Scoop" Simmons, both out of Charlotte, N.C., and Darlington's Dominique Cooper.

On paper, it looks like a very deep backfield for S.C. State. Yet Lewis is taking a cautious, coy approach toward the expectations he has for the group he coaches.

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SCSU’S Bellamy is hardest working man in ‘Bulldog Business’

South Carolina State center Tristan Bellamy took a moment to think about what to say next.

The Strom Thurmond alum couldn't find a feasible answer when asked what his toughest challenge was and that could be a good sign of things to come out of the young offensive lineman.

"He's probably been the hardest working man in Bulldog business," Bulldogs head coach Buddy Pough said. "He's taken pretty much every rep for the last eight practices. We actually have another guy that we were working as his backup, but he had a little bit of an injury situation. So, he was out for a few days. Then, we got some other guys banged up and we ended up moving him to guard. But it just kind of gets him to the point where he gets the work that he needs anyway."

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VISIT: SCSUEDU
VISIT: SCSUATHLETICS

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

Even with bad weather, one bad cloud no longer hangs over SCSU football

Rainfall and scattered thunderstorms did not interrupt this weekend's spring practices schedule for the South Carolina State football team.

A bigger concern, however, are the winds of change encircling the Bulldogs, where they are looking to replace 11 starters for the upcoming season. For head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough, it dwarfs any other potential problems created by the weather or other outside forces.

"We've got a lot of new faces," Pough said. "Anytime you're replacing the positions we are replacing ... when you're responsible for replacing three offensive linemen (tackle Johnny Culbreath, guard Josh Harrison and center Sam Timothy), a quarterback (Malcolm Long), a running back (Chris Massey), some of the key personnel we lost offensively, that's probably as big a concern as we have...

SC State Conducts First Spring Drill in Full Pads

ORANGEBURG, SC – It's four practices down and eleven to go for South Carolina State after Sunday's spring football workout at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, the first in full pads for Coach Buddy Pough's team.

Pough, who is in his tenth season at SC State head football coach, said Sunday's practice -- which although in full pads did not have full live hitting until a goal-line activity near the end of the session -- was “interesting.” In addition to the lively goal-line activity, the Bulldogs conducted a mini waist-up session.

The players continue to show enthusiasm, something pleasing to Pough and his staff.  “We are getting a lot of installation done,” said Pough. “We have about another practice and a half left before we complete this phase of our workouts. We are throwing a lot of information at our players and today (Sunday), we really tested them by going in full pads.

SC State Spring Football Practice Brief

ORANGEBURG, SC – South Carolina State held its third spring football practice Saturday, the first in shorts and shoulder pads for the Bulldogs. During the approximately two-hour workout, Coach Buddy Pough's team continued to concentrate on installation of the schemes SC State plans to employ this fall.

Pough said his players continue to move around well and demonstrate a lot of hustle, however, he noted that the first practice in shoulder pads was a bit raggard at times, something he felt could be corrected with repetition.

SCSU Bulldogs 2011 Football Schedule

DATE OPPONENT LOCATION
9/1/2011 Central Michigan Mt. Pleasant, MI
9/10/2011 * Bethune-Cookman Daytona Beach, FL
9/17/2011 Indiana TBD
9/24/2011 * Delaware State% Orangeburg, SC
10/1/2011 * Norfolk State  TBD
10/8/2011 * North Carolina Central@ Orangeburg, SC
10/15/2011 * Georgia State Orangeburg, SC
10/22/2011 * Florida A&M& Orangeburg, SC
10/29/2011 * Howard    TBD
11/5/2011 OPEN
11/12/2011 * North Carolina A&T# Orangeburg, SC
11/19/2011 * Savannah State Savannah, GA

Home Games are in bold
Neutral Site Games are in italics
* denotes a Default contest
@-Homecoming
&-Youth/ROTC Day
%-Community Day
#-Senior Day

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Davis leaving S.C. State for Fairfield Central job

This year's spring practice will have added meaning for South Carolina State assistant coach Demetrius Davis.

When the Garnet and Blue game is finished April 16, Davis will close the book on nine seasons with the Bulldogs. Following the conclusion of Thursday's practice, it was learned that Davis was leaving the program to become the new head football coach of his alma mater Fairfield Central High School.

Davis will be officially introduced today during a 9 a.m. press conference at the school district office in Winnsboro. He replaces former Bulldog linebacker and Orangeburg-Wilkinson head coach Reggie Kennedy, who went 27-8 in his second stint at the school before becoming the new head football coach at Blythewood High School.

VIDEO: Davis accepts job at Fairfield Central

The brothers Wiley, Cue ready to battle it out for Bulldogs' starting QB spot

As the most "battle-tested" quarterback currently on the South Carolina State roster, redshirt junior Derrick Wiley currently has a hold on the starting job.

It would not shock quarterbacks coach Kevin Magouirk, however, if either Wiley's younger brother, TeDarrius, or Richard Cue can progress enough to move into the top spot for the Sept. 1 season-opener at Central Michigan.

Bulldogs don shoulder pads for first time -- and get physical

Spring practice got more physical Saturday for the South Carolina State as the players donned shoulder pads for the first time.

The two-hour session at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium was the longest so far as the Bulldogs' offenses and defenses spent half the time working against each other. The 7-on-7 passing drills to close practice saw both sides displaying enough hustle and aggressiveness right up to the restriction point placed by head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough.

Bulldogs open spring practice for a 2011 season of transition

The players' faces have changed over the past nine seasons, and spring practice still brings a sense of newness for South Carolina State head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough.

"It never gets old," said Pough during a break from the opening practice for spring football Tuesday night at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. "It's the one time of the year to see what you've got as far as these guys' development and see how they come out of running and conditioning. So I'm excited as I can be to check out the new guys."

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VISIT: SCSU ATHLETICS
VISIT: THE BULLDOGZONE

Five story lines to watch as S.C. State begins practice

The South Carolina State football team figures to have a much different look when it kicks off spring practice tonight at 8 p.m. at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.

The Bulldogs' graduated 15 seniors from last season's team, a group that was part of three consecutive MEAC title teams. Eleven of the 15 seniors were starters. That kind of turnover means there are plenty of story lines to watch as the Bulldogs work through their 15 scheduled practices en route to April 16th's Garnet and Blue Spring Game.

Below are five of those story lines to keep an eye on:

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Feggins out as S.C. State offense moves in new direction

SCSU new offense will cater to QB Derrick Wiley's
strengths and running abilities

We are looking at having a spread offense, a high-tempo offense and we will run some of the Auburn, Oregon ... maybe even some of the style things Clemson is doing." - Coach Buddy Pough

Orangeburg, S.C. - South Carolina State's offense will have a different look when the Bulldogs open spring practice Tuesday night.

And, that look won't include the team's wide receivers coach of the past three seasons, Howard Feggins. Friday, The T&D confirmed that Feggins will not return to the S.C. State program.

"We are looking at (filling the position)," S.C. State head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough said Friday night. "We haven't quite gotten it done. We are just in the process of trying to decide exactly what we are going to do. It looks like he is not going to come back. It appears he may stay in the profession, but he may decide to move on as well."

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SC State Downs Delaware State 64-59 in MEAC Tourney Action

WINSTON-SALEM, NC – South Carolina State senior Darnell Porter scored 15 points, including a crucial 3-pointer with the shot clock winding down with 3:10 remaining to lead the ninth-seeded Bulldogs to a 64-59 win over eighth-seeded Delaware State in opening round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament at the Lawrence Joel Coliseum Tuesday.

Porter's basket put Coach Tim Carter's team ahead 56-51 and the Bulldogs held on to advance to Wednesday's quarterfinals against top-seeded Bethune-Cookman at 7 p.m.

Junior Joe Ikhinmwin came off the bench for 10 points and seniors Rio Pitt and Wesley Telfare added nine each in the win. Pitt also had a game-high nine rebounds, including a pivotal one off a Tyvon Williams miss of a one-and-one opportunity with 39.6 seconds remaining and SC State ahead 58-53.

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MEAC Women's Tournament Opening Round: S.C. State 62, Bethune-Cookman 52

Coach Doug Robertson

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Whitney Wiley scored 19 points, including 10-11 from the free-throw line, and Trinese Fox and Paris Alston each added 10 as the Lady Bulldogs advanced to the quarterfinals of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's tournament for the second straight year.

S.C. State (12-16) rallied from an eight-point deficit with 9:27 left in the first half to take a 26-23 halftime lead. The Lady Bulldogs would maintain the advantage by holding the Lady Wildcats (13-17) to 2-11 shooting from three-point range and outrebounding them 38-29.

Sarah Bolden led all scorers with 16 points for Bethune-Cookman, followed by three players with 10 points each in defeat.

Reed, Holloman lift B-CU to win over S.C. State

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- C.J. Reed scored 20 points and Garrius Holloman had 17 as Bethune-Cookman protected its spot atop the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with a 76-72 victory over South Carolina State in the Ocean Center on Saturday.

The Wildcats (18-11, 12-3), who led by 13 points with 4:51 to play, held off a late rally by the Bulldogs (8-20, 4-11) to notch their most wins in a season since becoming an NCAA Division I member in 1980.

By winning its fifth straight game and eighth in its last 10, B-CU now leads Morgan State -- a 69-63 loser at Norfolk State -- by 1 1/2 games. Morgan State has road games remaining at North Carolina A&T and Coppin State while the Wildcats have one league remaining next Thursday against Florida A&M. Monday's game with North Carolina Central doesn't count in conference standings.

Lady Bulldogs come from behind to down Bethune-Cookman

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - South Carolina State turned a four-point half-time deficit into a four-point victory as they defeated Bethune-Cookman, 64-60, in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's basketball contest at the Ocean Center. The victory is the first road win of the 2010-11 season for the Lady Bulldogs.

Bethune Cookman opened the game on a 16-2 run over the first six minutes. S.C. State then used a 14-0 run to tie the game at 16-16 with less than nine minutes remaining. The teams exchanged baskets over the next four minutes before a jumper by the Lady Wildcats' Amanda Hairston at the 4:10 mark began an 11-0 run which gave Bethune-Cookman the 34-23 lead with just over one minute remaining in the half. S.C. State closed the half with a 7-0 run to go into the locker room down by four, 34-30, at the half.

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S.C. State's Buddy Pough Talks Recruiting and 2011

Orangeburg, S.C.-- On National Signing Day, while all the buzz was about the eventual announcement of Jadeveon Clowney and Clemson's late rally, South Carolina State was putting together a class ranked first in the MEAC.

Head coach Buddy Pough, who is entering his 10th season at his alma mater, says the Bulldogs' streak of three straight years in the post-season made quite an impression on the prospects. Pough says the good news for his program is that he may not have to rely on those newcomers this season, a sign that recruiting has been going well even before this year.



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