With the opening of USF’s football season just over two months away, Green, Gold, and Bold will examine each opponent the Bulls will face in the 2025 season.
Here’s the fourth in the series.
Team: South Carolina State Bulldogs
When: September 20, 12 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium
Head coach: Chennis Berry. Last season was his first at SCS following three seasons at Benedict, where he was 27-7 and earned postseason berths in the Division II playoffs each of the last two seasons. Before that, he served seven seasons as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Southern University.
Last year’s record: 9-3. The Bulldogs, an FCS program, started 1-2 before winning their next eight games to capture the MEAC championship, only to fall 28-7 to Jackson State in the Celebration Bowl.
Name to know: Eric Phoenix. He is the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback and a graduate student. He threw for 2,603 yards and 20 touchdowns last season, including 412 yards through the air against Tennessee Tech. Phoenix can also use his legs when necessary. He ran 85 times for 242 yards and three touchdowns.
The biggest potential weakness: Give SCS credit for thinking big. In addition to the game against USF, the Bulldogs meet the South Carolina Gamecocks in Columbia on September 6. Just as the Bulls face their opening three-game minefield of Boise State, Florida, and Miami, the Bulldogs know that going on the road against two FBS opponents will be a significant challenge.
The biggest question mark: Can the Bulldogs maintain the success they achieved in 2024? They broke a streak of three consecutive losing seasons with their surprise march to the top of the MEAC.
Interesting things to know: South Carolina State has had more than 60 players drafted into the NFL. Some notable names include former New York Giants linebacker Harry Carson, legendary fullback Marion Motley, and Hall of Famers Donnie Shell and Deacon Jones.