South Carolina State will face first true test against ranked FCS opponent

South Carolina State coach Chennis Berry knows the Bulldogs will have their hands full Saturday night when they travel to face No. 24 Furman.

But Berry also knows his team welcomes the challenge.

South Carolina State will head to Paladin Stadium for an in-state matchup against a Furman team coming off an impressive road victory over then-No. 15 Mercer, adding another layer to an already difficult test for the Bulldogs.

“It’s a big game,” Berry said. “It’s the next game, the next game on our schedule.”

Through the first three game, South Carolina has breezed through, beating Savannah State, Florida A&M and Virginia State by an average of 57 points per games that included wins by 87 and 66 points.

Saturday will the Bulldogs biggest test and measuring stick game to this point.

“Our guys are fired up,” Berry said on Monday during the MEAC coaches media call. “Obviously, in-state South Carolina, we put a lot of the same guys that play for our state. It’s big for our university, big for our program.”

The Bulldogs will have to contend with a Furman defense that has shown it can pressure opposing quarterbacks. Berry pointed specifically to the Paladins’ pass rush, noting that Furman has the leading returning sack producer in the FCS.

That pressure will be a major concern for South Carolina State as it tries to move the football against one of the top teams in the Football Championship Subdivision.

“They play really good football, all three phases,” Berry said.

Berry also praised Furman’s offensive approach and the challenges it presents to the Bulldogs’ defense. The Paladins have the ability to create problems in multiple ways, forcing South Carolina State to be disciplined throughout the game.

Furman enters the matchup with momentum after knocking off Mercer on the road, while South Carolina State will have to deal with playing in Furman’s backyard.

Still, Berry said the Bulldogs are not intimidated by the challenge.

“We have to go to their backyard to be able to play there,” Berry said. “They just had a big win versus a really, really good Marshall football team.”

For South Carolina State, Saturday night offers an opportunity to measure itself against a nationally ranked FCS opponent and another chance to build on the momentum of its season.

Berry expects his team to embrace the moment.

“We’re going to compete and go up there with it on our mind,” he said. “The Bulldogs be ready to rock and roll.”