ORANGEBURG, SC—Senior running back Jalen Simmons racked up a game-high 190 yards on 16 carries, while teammate senior Dondre Lewis-Freeman eclipsed the 100-yard mark with 16 rushes for 105 yards and a touchdown to lead SC State to a 36-0, shutout over Florida A&M Thursday (Sept.17) at O.C. Dawson Stadium.
The Bulldogs had a record setting night 625 yards total offense (454 yards rushing, 171 passing) in front packed stadium of 14, 987 screaming fans.
“This win was just what the doctor ordered,” said Bulldog head coach Buddy Pough. “It was a good game for us, a chance to have a great positive home experience and play well.”
“I am really happy for Jalen Simmons, anytime you have a guy of that caliber (good running back), you are happy to get him going, “said Pough.”He had solid night but we still got work to do.”
SC State defense was spearheaded by All-MEAC linebacker redshirt sophomore Darius Leonard with a game-high 16 tackles, 1 sack and three (3) tackles for loss in the victory.
SCSU jumped out to an early 10-0 first quarter lead off a 27-yard field goal and an 11-yard scamper by Dondre Lewis-Freeman with 4:03 remaining. Sophomore kicker Tyler Scandrett connected on his second of three field goals of the night on kicks of 38-yards and 21-yards in the second quarter.
The Bulldogs dominated the second-half with a 10-yard touchdown run by redshirt junior Justin Taylor in the third quarter at the 4:11 mark. Taylor found the end zone once again early in the fourth quarter on 14-yard run to seal the victory.
South Carolina State will be IDLE next week and return to action on Saturday, Oct. 3 on the road against Furman University. Kickoff is 7 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN3.
S.C. State Athletics
[…] Thursday’s ESPNU televised matchup between South Carolina State and Florida A&M wasn’t much of a football game. The Rattlers were shut out by the Bulldogs, 36-0. […]