Freshman Wiley Named MVP
ORLANDO, FL— The South Carolina State Bulldogs opened up the 2009 season in style defeating Grambling State 34-31 in the Fifth Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge in front of a record crowd 21, 367 at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fl.
SC State the defending 2008 MEAC Champions and Grambling State the 2008 SWAC and National Black Champs provided a high scoring contest combining for a total of 65 points between the two teams.
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference owns the series now 4-1 against SWAC opponents.
Freshman quarterback Derrick Wiley led the attack for the Bulldogs, after starter Malcolm Long suffered an injury in the first-half and didn’t return the remainder of the game. Wiley finished with 13 rushes for 77 yards, while going for 4-6 in the air for 40 yards. Long finished the day 13-20 for 101 yards and two touchdowns.
“It was a great victory for our program and our conference, said SCSU coach Buddy Pough. “We can enjoy this for 24 hours but we have to get ready for Bethune-Cookman on next week.
The Bulldogs jumped out 14-0 when Long connected on a 13-yard touchdown pass to Tre Young and a 23-yard grab by tight end DeWain Clark in the first quarter. The Tigers got on the board on a 10-yard run by senior running back Cornelius Walker to cut the lead, 14-7 at the 8:00 minute mark in the second quarter.
A 4-yard run by SCSU’s Travil Jamison and a 47-yard field goal by Grambling’s Ari Johnson closed out the half with the Bulldogs leading 21-10.
GSU rallied back in the second-half when senior defense tackle Christian Anthony forced a fumble and returned it 36 yards to the SCSU two-yard line. Walker punched in a two yard scoring run to pull The Tigers within four, 21-17.
SC State senior running back Travil Jamison found the end zone again for the second time on the day on a 1-yard run. Grambling’s Greg Dillon would not be denied on a 1-yard scamper to put the score at 24-28 at the 5:57 mark in the third quarter.
Wiley look to seal the victory on a two-yard run putting the Bulldogs ahead 34-24 at the end of the third quarter. The Tigers would not go away, when Dillon connected on a 24-yard pass to Damian Jefferson with 5:34 left in the game to pull within three, 31-34.
Grambling defense showed pose stopping SC State on fourth down to retain the possession of the ball with 1:40 left in the contest. GSU made a costly mistake when Dillon threw a 10-yard interception to junior defensive back Semaj Moody to seal the 34-31 victory for the Bulldogs.
“We still got a lot of work to do,” state Pough. “I don’t think we took full advantage of our opportunities.”
All-American running back Will Ford surpassed former All-MEAC running back DeShawn Baker and moved into second place on SC State’s All-Time Leading Rushing list behind Michael Hicks. Ford finished the day with 13 rushes for 72 yards.
Wiley earned MVP honors for his effort, while Grambling State’s Christian Anthony finished the day 7.5 tackles and 2.5 for loss to earn the award.
The Tigers finished with 426 total yards on offense, while the Bulldogs closed out with 320 on the day.
South Carolina State will return to action on Saturday against MEAC foe Bethune-Cookman in a 4 p.m. showdown in Daytona Beach, FL.
2009 MEAC/SWAC STANDOUTS:
SC State
Punt Returns
Tre’ Young 3-83 yards
Tackles
David Erby 8 Tackles
Grambling
Passing
Greg Dillon 17-28-1 for 269 yards and 2 touchdowns
Tackles
TJ McCord 9 Tackles
Christian Anthony 7.5 Tackles 2.5 TFL
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