It is a new era for the South Carolina State Bulldogs football team as they enter the 2024 season without legendary head coach Buddy Pough on their sidelines.
Succeeding Pough is former Benedict head coach Chennis Berry after leading his team to consecutive undefeated regular seasons and SIAC championships.
Berry will be joined by a host of contributors from Benedict’s championship roster, including All-SIAC selections Jayden Broughton and Dedrick Starkes.
South Carolina State is a sleeper team in a conference that is open for the taking. However, with so many players transferring up from the Division II level, many have questioned if that dominance can transition with an upgrade in competition.
Here are our game-by-game predictions for the South Carolina State 2024 football season.
8/31 Florida A&M- [L]
Previous Meeting: Florida A&M 20-14, 2022
South Carolina State begins the Chennis Berry era with a matchup against former MEAC combatants Florida A&M. The last time the Bulldogs clashed with the Rattlers. They were unable to overcome a 20-0 deficit with a fourth-down stop thwarting their comeback hopes. Both teams come into this season looking to make a statement in their respective conferences with an entirely new roster of characters. South Carolina State is searching for its first win over Florida A&M since 2018.
Record: 0-1
9/7 The Citadel- [W]
Previous Meeting: South Carolina State 31-10, 2023
The Bulldogs then travel to Charleston, South Carolina, when they play The Citadel. Last season, The Citadel finished the year with an 0-11 record, including a 31-10 loss to South Carolina State. There is no reason why the result will be any different this time around.
Record: 1-1
9/14 Georgia Southern- [L]
Previous Meeting: Georgia Southern 37-6, 2018
In their only game against an FBS opponent this season, South Carolina State goes up against Georgia Southern. Georgia Southern posted a 6-7 record in the 2023 season, becoming bowl-eligible in each of the past two years. Linebacker Marques Watson-Trent will be a player to watch on the Georgia Southern defense after ranking in the top 20 in the FBS in total tackles.
Record: 1-2
9/28 North Carolina A&T- [W]
Previous Meeting: North Carolina A&T 41-27, 2022
South Carolina State gears up for another matchup against a former MEAC foe when they welcome North Carolina A&T to Orangeburg. Getting a win over the Aggies has proven difficult for the Bulldogs, having lost their last seven over them. However, this is not the same Aggies team they have faced in years past, as they are coming off a 1-10 season. There is no better time for SCSU to put an end to their losing streak against NCAT.
Record: 2-2
10/5 Tennessee Tech- [L]
Previous Meeting: Tennessee Tech 28-7, 2023
South Carolina State sets out to get revenge on Tennessee Tech after suffering an emphatic loss to them last season. Last year, Tennessee Tech embarrassed SCSU on their home field, scoring 28 unanswered points after giving up a 90-yard touchdown on the opening drive. Two of Tennessee Tech’s four wins came against HBCUs, with the other being Tennessee State. South Carolina State will travel to Cookeville looking to even the score.
Record: 2-3
10/19 Fort Valley State- [W]
Previous Meeting: Never
Chennis Berry dips his feet back into SIAC waters when his Bulldogs go up against Fort Valley State. The last time a Chennis Berry-led team faced Fort Valley State was in 2022, when Benedict spoiled the Wildcats’ homecoming, handing them a 45-13 loss. Fort Valley State finished the 2023 season with an 8-3 overall record, including a win in the inaugural Florida Beach Bowl. This will not be an easy game for the Bulldogs as the Wildcats are a top contender in the SIAC who are very capable of pulling off an upset in this contest.
Record: 3-3
10/26 Delaware State- [W]
Previous Meeting: South Carolina State 35-7, 2023
In their homecoming contest, South Carolina State opens up its conference schedule against Delaware State. After having a five-game win streak snapped against the Hornets in 2022, the Bulldogs got themselves back in the win column with a decisive 35-7 win last season. This should be another win for South Carolina State, seeing as they have more talent on paper.
Record: 4-3, 1-0
10/31 North Carolina Central- [L]
Previous Meeting: North Carolina Central 62-28, 2023
South Carolina State looks to get its revenge on North Carolina Central after losing a one-sided matchup against them last season. The Eagles’ 62-28 win is the most lopsided outcome in this series since South Carolina State won 44-3 in 2013. The Bulldogs’ loss snapped a three-game win streak against NC Central. The Eagles have not won consecutive games against SCSU since 2018.
Record: 4-4, 1-1
11/9 Howard- [L]
Previous Meeting: South Carolina State 27-24, 2023
Howard has a chance to avenge its only conference loss in 2023 when they welcome South Carolina State to Washington, DC. The Bison’s road to its first outright MEAC championship almost wasn’t to be when a loss to the Bulldogs put their championship hopes in jeopardy. On the other hand, the last time South Carolina State played Howard in Greene Stadium, it was a different story, with the Bison coming away victorious.
Record: 4-5, 1-2
11/16 Morgan State- [W]
Previous Meeting: Morgan State 20-17, 2023
In their final road game of the season, South Carolina State travels to Baltimore to play Morgan State. For the first time in 50 years, the Bears beat the Bulldogs in consecutive games, marking their eighth win overall in the series since 1971. This game will be a style clash, with both teams boasting dominant defenses and unproven offenses. The team that performs best on the offensive side of the ball will be the team that walks away victorious.
Record: 5-5, 2-2
11/23 Norfolk State- [W]
Previous Meeting: South Carolina State 44-17, 2023
South Carolina State ends its 2024 season back home in a matchup against Norfolk State. These teams have been evenly matched in recent years, splitting their last six meetings. The Bulldogs got the best of the Spartans in their most recent matchup thanks to a 30-point second half. Interestingly enough, the home team has not won in this series since South Carolina State did so in 2014. The Bulldogs could put an end to that trend, as they will be the favorite to come away victorious in this contest.
Record: 6-5, 3-2
