South Carolina State had to a sweat out a 16-15 win over SoCon opponent Wofford Saturday, but head coach Chennis Berry’s approach is a bit of reverse psychology.
“We tell our football team; the pressure isn’t on us. The pressure is on the defense to stop us,” Berry said, reflecting on the final drive. “That’s the kind of offense we run, and that’s the mindset we instill. The drive was a product of preparation and poise.”
That final drive—highlighted by third- and fourth-down conversions, two big passing plays of 29 and 35 yards, and capped off by a fourth-and-one completion from quarterback Ryan Stubblefield to redshirt junior Shamonte Burgess—wasn’t just about football. It was about trust.
Burgess, who began the game holding up tempo boards on the sideline, stepped in after an injury to a starter and delivered a clutch play that sealed the game.
“In this program, we give guys opportunities,” Barry said. “What you do with that opportunity is up to you. That young man put in the work, waited his turn, and made the most of it.”
Despite returning only one starter on offense and two on defense, Berry’s team—a mix of high school recruits and 44 newcomers via the transfer portal—has quickly bought into a culture steeped in accountability and effort.
“We’ve got guys from all levels—NAIA, Division II, FBS, FCS,” he explained. “But we don’t just take anybody. They have to fit what we’re about. And what we’re about is discipline.”
That culture showed in the team’s depth. Eleven defensive linemen rotated in and out. Freshmen and transfers alike got on the field, with Barry placing a strong emphasis on development and evaluation early in the season.
“If we spend the time to recruit you, we’re going to give you the chance to play,” Barry said. “And you control what you do with that chance.”
The Bulldogs’ defense was, simply put, lights out. Wofford mustered just 142 total yards of offense and never entered the red zone.
“They didn’t score on our defense. Period,” Barry stated. “All their points came from special teams’ miscues, and we’re going to fix that.”
Led by linemen Mike Lunz (two sacks) and Ka’Von Chisolm, South Carolina State’s defense suffocated Wofford’s offensive efforts.
“Defense is our identity,”Berry said. “We stopped the run, we got after the quarterback, and we rotated guys to keep them fresh. It’s something to build on.”
As for the Bulldogs’ quarterback situation, both James Madison transfer Billy Atkins (19 of 34 passing, 181 yards) and Stubblefield (10 of 17, 128 yards and a touchdown) saw significant playing time.
Berry has not named an official starter, noting that both Atkins and Stubblefield present problems for opposing defenses.
“We’ve got two really, really good quarterbacks that anyone in our league would love to have,” Barry said. “And you’re going to have to prepare for both of them.”
After a heart-stopping win, South Carolina State now must prepare for a bigger challenge in 15th-ranked South Carolina.
“They’ve got resources we don’t, players that look like prototypes,” Berry said. “But at the end of the day, it’s 11 on 11. And our guys will compete.”
He acknowledged the risks that come with playing up a level but sees the matchup as both an opportunity and a measuring stick.
“We’re going to be smart, and we’re going to protect our guys. But this is a moment for them to step up and showcase who they are.”
With discipline as its foundation and a deep, balanced roster finding its stride, Coach Berry’s South Carolina State squad is aiming to make more than noise this year—they’re trying to build a legacy.
“I’ve been doing this for 31 years,” Berry said. “I’m not new to this. I’m true to this. And we’re going to put these young men in position to be successful—on the field, and in life.”
This story was drafted using an AI tool based on the transcript of the MEAC weekly coaches’ conference and was then reviewed and edited by a journalist before publishing.
