ORANGEBURG, SC—Junior defensive lineman Javon Hargrave had career-recording setting day with 11 tackles (11 solo), six sacks and six tackles for loss to the lead the South Carolina State defense to a ,20-14, victory over #14 Bethune-Cookman Saturday at O.C. Dawson Stadium.
Hargrave tied the MEAC (Issac Hilton/Hampton 2002) and FCS I-AA National sack record with the six sack performance, while breaking the school record for sacks in game previously held by Chatric Darby (4) in 1997.
“We were very fortunate to get the win and have to thank the man above,” said SC State head coach Buddy Pough. “We, somehow, found a way to win.”
“He’s a tremendous talent and he (Hargrave) had a dominating performance and we needed it,” Pough said. ”
The Bulldog offense couldn’t get the spark they needed totaling only 126 (80 rushing, 46 passing) total offense, while the Wildcats was held to 175 on the day.
BC-U got things going early on a 42-yard strike from senior quarterback Quentin Williams to Jhomo Gordan to give the Wildcats an early 7-0 lead at the 14:23 mark in the first quarter. Senior linebacker Justin Hughes tied the game on a 44-yard interception return for a touchdown with 5:24 remaining in the first-half to even the score.
Junior defensive back Antonio Hamilton put SC State ahead on a 91-yard punt return for a touchdown with 7:29 remaining in the third quarter. The Wildcats took advantage of the Bulldogs costly mistakes, picking up fumble for a 3-yard return for a score by Donald Smith with 0:50 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to tie the game.
Starting quarterback redshirt sophomore Adrian Kollock, Jr. who was injured and did not play majority of the game, replaced a struggling Calvin Giles-McClary, went on to throw a 49-yard touchdown strike to senior wide receiver Austin Smith with 0:33 seconds remaining to seal the victory.
The Bulldog defense finished with a game-high nine sacks for 50 yards, while giving up only one sack on the day. Sophomore defensive back Shaquan Brock finished with nine tackles, while junior defensive end Reggie Owens who filled in for injured All-AmericanAndrew Carter added 6.5 tackles, one sack and three tackles for loss in the win.
Junior linebacker Ralph Williams led the BC-U defense with a game-high 13 tackles (11 solo), one sack and 3 TFL.
South Carolina State returns to action on Saturday (Nov.1) against Savannah State. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m.
Courtesy: SCSU Sports Information
