Box Score
31
Winner SCS
21
BCU
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
SCS 14 10 0 7 31
BCU 7 0 14 0 21
No. 14 SC State remains unbeaten with 31-21 road win
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — No. 14 South Carolina State remained unbeaten Saturday night, using a dominant rushing attack and a late fourth-quarter touchdown to secure a 31-21 nonconference victory over Bethune-Cookman at Daytona Stadium.
The Bulldogs improved to 5-0 on the season and continued their strong start under head coach Chennis Berry. SC State built a 24-7 halftime advantage before Bethune-Cookman (2-2) pulled within three points in the third quarter. The Bulldogs responded when it mattered most, putting together an 11-play, 85-yard scoring drive late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
SC State controlled the game offensively, finishing with 430 yards of total offense, including 282 rushing yards, while holding Bethune-Cookman to 238 total yards and 107 yards on the ground. The Bulldogs also held a 21-14 advantage in first downs and possessed the ball for 33:17.
Mason Pickett-Hicks once again powered the Bulldogs' ground attack, rushing 14 times for a game-high 136 yards, averaging 9.7 yards per carry with a long run of 41 yards. Tyler Smith added 91 yards on just seven carries, averaging 13 yards per attempt, while Josh Shaw rushed for 54 yards and two touchdowns. SC State averaged 6.7 yards per rushing attempt.
Quarterback Keely Watson provided an efficient performance through the air, completing 14 of 19 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Troy Hillman caught three passes for 28 yards and a touchdown, while Darius Thompson hauled in a 32-yard touchdown reception. Jahzae Kimbrough added three catches for 32 yards.
The Bulldogs wasted little time establishing control. Shaw capped SC State's opening five-play, 69-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 advantage.
Bethune-Cookman answered quickly when Tyler Jefferson broke loose for a 63-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7. SC State responded on its next possession as Watson connected with Hillman for an 18-yard touchdown, putting the Bulldogs back in front 14-7 with 7:53 remaining in the opening quarter.
SC State extended its advantage in the second quarter. Watson found Thompson for a 32-yard touchdown with 5:12 remaining in the half, completing a seven-play, 77-yard drive. Jett Jackson later connected on a 34-yard field goal to send the Bulldogs into halftime holding a commanding 24-7 lead.
Bethune-Cookman made its push in the third quarter. Rashon Brown scored on a 45-yard run before Isaiah Daniel connected with Josh Evans for a 35-yard touchdown, cutting SC State's advantage to 24-21 with 40 seconds remaining in the period.
With the game tightening, the Bulldogs' defense shut the Wildcats out in the fourth quarter, and the offense delivered the decisive response.,
Taking possession at its own 15-yard line with 7:41 remaining, SC State methodically marched 85 yards on 11 plays while taking 5:45 off the clock. Shaw finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:56 remaining, and Jackson's extra point gave the Bulldogs a 31-21 advantage.
The SC State defense turned in another strong outing, recording five sacks for 40 yards and nine tackles for loss totaling 46 yards. Josh Barker led the pressure with 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss, while Ka'Von Chisolm contributed 1.5 sacks and two tackles for loss. Roderick Kelly, Jadin Jones and Chisolm each finished with seven tackles.
The Bulldogs were also perfect in the red zone, converting all four opportunities, and went 2-for-2 on fourth down. SC State's defense limited Bethune-Cookman to 131 passing yards and kept the Wildcats scoreless throughout the final quarter.
With the victory, No. 14 South Carolina State moves to 5-0, keeping its unbeaten season intact after another balanced performance on both sides of the football.
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Next Game:
The Citadel
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Team Statistics
Team Statistics
Game Stats SCS BCU
Total Yards 430 238
Pass Yards 148 131
Rushing Yards 282 107
Penalty Yards 10-78 4-42
1st Downs 21 14
3rd Downs 4-13 5-13
4th Downs 2-2 0-0
TOP 33:17 26:43
Scoring Summary
Scoring Play Visiting Team Score Home Team Score
1st Quarter
12:36 - SCS - Shaw,Josh 4 yd run (Jackson,Jett kick), 5 plays, 69 yards, TOP 02:17
7 0
11:14 - BCU - Jefferson,Tyler 63 yd run (Goodwin,Ryder kick), 3 plays, 81 yards, TOP 01:17
7 7
07:53 - SCS - Hillman,Troy 18 yd pass from Watson,Keely (Jackson,Jett kick) 8 plays, 76 yards, TOP 03:15
14 7
2nd Quarter
05:12 - SCS - Thompson,Darius 32 yd pass from Watson,Keely (Jackson,Jett kick) 7 plays, 77 yards, TOP 03:00
21 7
01:01 - SCS - Jackson,Jett 34 yd field goal 5 plays, 24 yards, TOP 01:55
24 7
3rd Quarter
04:58 - BCU - Brown,Rashon 45 yd run (Goodwin,Ryder kick), 4 plays, 66 yards, TOP 01:45
24 14
00:40 - BCU - Evans,Josh 35 yd pass from Daniel,Isaiah (Goodwin,Ryder kick) 4 plays, 45 yards, TOP 01:10
24 21
4th Quarter
01:56 - SCS - Shaw,Josh 1 yd run (Jackson,Jett kick), 11 plays, 85 yards, TOP 05:45
31 21
Game Leaders
Choose a category:
Passing Leaders
#3O Robinson,Ronnie
CMP 1
TD 0
YDS 2
INT 0
#7O Watson,Keely
CMP 14
TD 2
YDS 146
INT 0
Players Mentioned
#7 Ka'Von Chisolm
DL 6' 5" Redshirt Freshman
#34 Roderick Kelly
LB 6' 2" Sophomore
#0O Josh Shaw
RB 5' 11" Senior
#1O Mason Pickett-Hicks
RB 5' 8" Sophomore
#5O Darius Thompson
WR 6' 2" Senior
#10O Tyler Smith
RB 5' 10" Senior
#84 Jahzae Kimbrough
5' 10" Junior
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