ORANGEBURG, SC—The South Carolina State Bulldogs (1-3, 0-2 MEAC)) will host the visiting Bears of Morgan State (0-4, 0-1 MEAC) in a pivotal Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) showdown at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium/Willie Jeffries Field Friday (Oct. 6) night on ESPNU. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.
 
This contest is believed to be the first Friday night game for South Carolina State in school history. All general admission tickets are $10.
 
LAST TIMEOUT: Both SC State and Morgan State enter the contest struggling. Coach Buddy Pough's squad will be trying to snap a two-game losing streak that dropped the Bulldogs to 1-3 on the season, including an 0-2 start in the MEAC, rendering SC State a long shot to capture its first league crown since the 2014 campaign.
 
"We just need to win a ball game," noted the Bulldogs' Pough at Monday's press conference. "And, although Morgan has not won a game, we expect a fierce battle. We certainly can't be over-confident."
 
First-year coach Fred Farrier and the visiting Bears, meanwhile, are winless in four outings at 0-4 overall and 0-1 in the MEAC, having lost their only league game 49-17 to conference leader, NC A&T, two weeks ago. Those same Aggies handed the Bulldogs a 21-7 setback last Saturday.
 
The Bulldogs have been competitive in all of their three losses, but have had trouble with consistency on offense, especially in the running game. The defense has been steady.
 
THE ATTRACTION
South Carolina State will be celebrating "Business and Industry/Family & Faith/ Faculty and Staff Appreciation/Greek Day. Community business leaders, Greek organizations, members of the Faith Community have been invited, while the SC State faculty and staff will be admitted free, along with one guest.
 
Players to Watch
SC State Offense:
#9 r-So., QB Dewann Ford (57-106-2, 3TDs; 50 rushes, 163 yds., 2TDs); #15 r-Sr. RB Trey Samuel (28 rushes, 108 yds., 1TD); #18 r-Fr. RB Datron James (20 rushes, 79 yds., 1TD); #1  So. WR De'Montrez Burroughs (12 recpts, 188 yds); #4 r-So. WR Tra'Quan Dubose (14 rcpts., 230  yds.) ; r-Jr. WR Quan Caldwell (14 recpts, 174 yds., 1TD); #51 r-Sr. OT Justin Evans); #56 Sr., OG Robbie Stephenson; # 14 Sr. PK Tyler Scandrett (6-7 FGs; 8-9 PATs)
 
SC State Defense:
#10 r-Sr. LB Darius Leonard (27T, 16A, 3TFL, 2Sacks; became SC State's all-time leader in tackles with 12 against Southern in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Sept. 03, giving him a then-career total of 293); #34 r-Jr. DayShawn Taylor (13T, 15A, 1TFL, 1Int.);  #26 Gr. Jason Baxter (10T, 7A, 2TFL, 1Sack, 1Int.); #30 r-Jr. Alex Brown (10T, 4A, 1Int.); #92 r-Sr. DE Tyberius Cravens (3T, 4A, 2TFL, 1Sack).
 
Morgan State Offense
#1 r-Jr. QB Elijah Staley (60-137-7, 1TD; #4 Sr. RB Eric Harrell (31 rushes, 105 yds.); #4 r-Sr. RB Herb Walker (42 rushes); #13 So. Manassah Bailey (12 rcpts., 164 yds.); Amonta Poteat (11 rcpts., 100 yds.)
 
Morgan State Defense
#28 So. LB Rico Kennedy (14T, 8A, 7TFL, 2Sacks); #8 r-Jr. Brandon Griffin (12T, 8A, 3TFL, 1Sack, 1Int.); #25 Jr. DB Darius Johnson (12T, 6A, 2PBU);
 
THE SERIES
The Bulldogs and Bears are meeting for the 39^th time in a rivalry that began in 1971 when both schools became charter members of the MEAC. SC State holds a 30-7-1 lead in the series and has won 9 of the last 10 contests. The two teams are meeting for the first time since the 2014 season when the Bears earned a 24-21 upset over the Bulldogs at Baltimore. SC State won 38-3 in 2013 and 32-10 in 2010. The Bulldogs are 18-3 against Morgan State in Orangeburg.
 
THE COACHES
SC State's Buddy Pough (SC State '75) is in his 16th season as head coach at his alma mater and owns a 118-58 overall mark (91-49 MEAC). He is 9-2 against Morgan State.
 
 (Morgan State's Fred Farrier (Holy Cross '94) is in his first full-season as Bear head coach after serving as interim one season. He is 3-12 overall and 3-6 in the MEAC. He is coaching his first contest against Pough and the Bulldogs.