South Carolina State beats NCCU to control the draw in the MEAC

Bulldogs quarterback Eric Phoenix accounted for 381 yards of offense, and wide receiver Caden High caught two touchdowns as South Carolina State outlasted North Carolina Central, 24-21. They are now firmly in control of the MEAC and their destiny heading into the 2024 Celebration Bowl.

Coaches Chennis Berry and Trei Oliver were friends and former colleagues who put their minds together at Oliver C. Smith Stadium to create an intriguing MEAC classic that will be talked about for years to come.

The Bulldogs moved the football with misguidance and explosive play. Erice Phoenix was sharp on his first drive, but after three straight rushes near the goal line, NCCU’s front seven was too solid.

The Bulldogs were forced into a 20-yard Gallegos field goal to take a 3-0 lead.

Drive: 10 plays, covering 85 yards in 6:08, starting at 8:47 on the clock.

Drive: 4:59 minutes on 11 plays and 81 yards with 1:40 on the clock.

SECOND QUARTER

On a 4th and 2, Phoenix threw to its tight end Toney for the first down. Then Phoenix saw an opening to rush for an 11-yard touchdown while rushing over NCCU linebackers. 1st on first down at 23 seconds before halftime.

Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 4:29 TOP with 32 seconds left in the 2nd quarter.

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First half statistics

NCCU: 47 total yards, SCS: 266 total yards; NCCU 3 penalties for 35 yards

SCS – 4 penalties for 36 yards

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Drive: 3 plays 42 yards, 50 seconds

Two plays later, Phoenix zipped the football to High for a 42-yard touchdown – his second score of the night.

Drive: 2 plays, 46 yards, 33 seconds at 20 seconds in Q3

Harris hit Quick for a 51-yard touchdown. The Eagles are within 10 points with 12:31 left in the game.

Drive: six plays, 84 yards, in 2:45.

The Eagles’ defensive unit forced the Bulldogs’ first three out of the game. NCCU received the football at their 34-yard line with 11:18 remaining.

Chauncey Spikes beat the Bulldogs’ secondary for a 66-yard touchdown to pull the Eagles within three points, 24-21 with 11:05.

Drive: 1 play, 66 yards, 13 seconds

The momentum swung in the Eagles’ favor when the defense turned away the Bulldogs on a three-and-out.

Harris started to get comfortable in the pocket and chose the placement of the ball with his receivers. Two interior defensive linemen for South Carolina State were injured on subsequent plays. Trailing by 3, Trei Oliver called on J’Mari Taylor to get the first down with 7:38 left in the game, moving the chains and resulting in a 1st and ten at the 34 yard line.

Harris climbed into the pocket, but Ashaad Hall sacked him, causing a fumble for South Carolina State, who recovered the fumble at the 46-yard line with 6:23 remaining.

Eric Phoenix put down a third on an 11-yard rush to the left at 4:40. With 2:45 on the board and three plays later, a defensive holding penalty was called against Central, resulting in a Bulldogs first down.

On 3rd and 21, Phoenix rushed for 20 yards, giving SCS a chance to melt more time off the clock if they got the first down. It was a 4th and 1 when Coach Chennis Berry called Shaw to pick up the Bulldogs’ first down.

The Eagles ran out of timeouts with 1:55 left in the game. Trei Oliver was visibly upset after being called a timeout for questioning a play, which led to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Finally the match ends – victory formation.

The Bulldogs control their destiny and the MEAC, winning 24-21.