South Carolina State coach Chennis Berry is ready to see how his Bulldogs respond to adversity after their 13-game winning streak came to an end.
The Bulldogs suffered their first loss since last season Saturday, falling 34-31 to The Citadel. Rather than dwell on the defeat, Berry is focused on how his team handles the setback as it prepares for Charleston Southern and the start of MEAC play.
“I’m excited to see. Where do we go from here?” Berry said this week. “I’m excited to see my leadership comes from meeting today. How the guy’s mindset is.”
South Carolina State entered the season carrying the momentum of its previous success, but Berry said the loss provided an opportunity for his players to demonstrate their leadership and accountability.
The coach emphasized that his program is built on a next-play mentality, encouraging players to move forward regardless of whether the previous play ended in success or disappointment.
“Good things happen. Keep playing. Bad things happen. Keep playing,” Berry said.
Berry also acknowledged that the Bulldogs did not perform to their usual standard in all three phases against The Citadel, particularly on defense. Still, he credited the opposition for its performance and said South Carolina State must take responsibility for its shortcomings.
“That’s the thing about when you’re in leadership role, you got to own it,” Berry said. “We didn’t play our best ball, but when you look at Charleston Southern, man, they got two running backs that can … do some pretty good things.”
The upcoming matchup presents another challenge for the Bulldogs, who will face a Charleston Southern team that recently lost 12-10 to Gardner-Webb. Berry said his defense is eager to get back on the field against a different offensive system after facing The Citadel’s spread option.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, Berry is looking for a response from his leadership council, which includes players from different position groups. He described the program as coach-led but player-driven, with leaders encouraged to communicate openly about the team’s mindset and direction.
Berry said he wants his players to understand that their legacy is shaped by how they lead both on and off the field.
The Bulldogs have completed six of their 12 regular-season games, leaving Berry focused on what the team can accomplish in the second half.
“We want to just finish strong, man. Do the right thing right now,” Berry said.
