South Carolina State to face early MEAC challenge

(STATS) – South Carolina State should know a lot about its MEAC championship bid early in the conference schedule.

The Bulldogs will open conference play by traveling to 2016 champ North Carolina Central on Sept. 23 and host runner-up North Carolina A&T a week later. An Oct. 14 trip to Bethune-Cookman, which won at least a share of the MEAC title five times in six seasons from 2010-15, also comes in the first half of the conference schedule.

The home schedule at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium also includes defending Big South co-champ Charleston Southern (Sept. 9), Johnson C. Smith (Sept. 16) and MEAC foes Morgan State (Oct. 7), Howard (Oct. 28) and Hampton (Nov. 11).

Coach Buddy Pough has led South Carolina State to six conference titles in 15 years, but last season the Bulldogs slipped to 5-6 overall and 5-3 in the MEAC.

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2017 South Carolina State Schedule

Sept. 3, at Southern (MEAC-SWAC Challenge)

Sept. 9, Charleston Southern

Sept. 16, Johnson C. Smith

Sept. 23, at North Carolina Central*

Sept. 30, North Carolina A&T*

Oct. 7, Morgan State*

Oct. 14, at Bethune-Cookman*

Oct. 21, at Delaware State*

Oct. 28, Howard*

Nov. 11, Hampton*

Nov. 18, at Savannah State*

* – MEAC game