WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 5, 2026) — Freshman running back Ricorian Brown delivered a breakout performance, rushing for a season-high 143 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score with 17 seconds remaining, as South Carolina State defeated Howard 35-28 Thursday night at Greene Stadium to extend its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference winning streak to 13 consecutive games.
The Bulldogs (8-2 overall, 3-0 MEAC) continued their dominance in conference play under third-year head coach
Chennis Berry, overcoming a determined Howard squad in a nationally televised conference showdown.
Brown, who averaged an impressive 9.5 yards per carry, powered the Bulldogs' rushing attack with 143 yards on 15 attempts, highlighted by a game-long 64-yard run. The freshman also caught two passes for 22 yards, finishing with a game-high 165 all-purpose yards.
With the game tied at 28 following a 51-yard touchdown pass from Howard quarterback Isaiah Freeman to CJ Neely with 1:31 remaining, the Bulldogs responded with a seven-play, 74-yard scoring drive that consumed just 1:05.
Brown capped the decisive possession with a 9-yard touchdown run with 17 seconds left, giving SC State the lead for good and preserving its unbeaten conference record.
South Carolina State finished with 479 yards of total offense, including 226 rushing and 253 passing, while holding Howard (4-6, 1-2 MEAC) to 382 total yards.
Graduate quarterback Keely Watson continued his productive season, completing 21 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown without an interception. Watson connected with
Jahzae Kimbrough on a 14-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter that gave the Bulldogs a 13-7 advantage.
SC State opened the scoring on a 49-yard field goal by Jett Jackson with 5:58 remaining in the first quarter. Howard responded with a 38-yard touchdown run by Se'Quan Osborne to take a 7-3 lead.
The Bulldogs controlled the second quarter, outscoring the Bison 18-0. Jackson connected on a 34-yard field goal before Watson found Kimbrough for the go-ahead touchdown.
Ronnie Robinson added a 3-yard touchdown run and converted the ensuing two-point attempt, sending SC State into halftime with a 21-7 advantage.
Howard rallied in the third quarter behind two touchdown passes from Freeman to Antonio Hunter, covering 11 and 26 yards, respectively, to even the score at 21 entering the fourth quarter.
Brown answered with his first touchdown of the night, a 9-yard scoring run with 10:21 remaining. The touchdown capped a three-play, 90-yard drive that took just 54 seconds and included Brown's explosive 64-yard run.
After Howard tied the contest late, Brown and the Bulldogs responded with the decisive scoring drive to secure another important conference victory.
Defensively, SC State was led by Jadin Jones, who recorded a team-high eight tackles, including seven solo stops.
Ka'Von Chisolm contributed seven tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss, while Jabin Ford recorded an interception that helped set up a second-quarter touchdown.
The Bulldogs' defense finished with six tackles for loss, two sacks and five pass breakups.
The victory marked SC State's 13th consecutive MEAC win and kept the Bulldogs undefeated in league competition as they continued their pursuit of another conference championship.
Bulldog Game Highs and Key Performances
- Ricorian Brown, freshman running back: Recorded a season-high 143 rushing yards on 15 carries, averaging 9.5 yards per attempt. Scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns, including the game-winner with 17 seconds remaining. Added two receptions for 22 yards and finished with 165 all-purpose yards.
- Keely Watson, graduate quarterback: Completed 21 of 29 passes for a game-high 241 passing yards and one touchdown with no interceptions.
- Malaqhi Jones, wide receiver: Led all receivers with nine catches for a game-high 107 yards, including a 26-yard reception.
- Troy Hillman, offensive playmaker: Finished with four receptions for 53 yards, including a game-long 33-yard catch, and added 25 rushing yards for 78 yards from scrimmage.
- DJ Maultsby, wide receiver: Collected five receptions for 43 yards.
- Ronnie Robinson, quarterback: Scored on a 3-yard touchdown run and added a successful two-point conversion.
- Jahzae Kimbrough, tight end: Caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Watson in the second quarter.
- Jett Jackson, kicker: Connected on field goals of 49 and 34 yards and converted all three extra-point attempts.
- Jadin Jones, defensive standout: Led the Bulldogs with eight total tackles, including seven solo stops, and added two quarterback hurries.
- Ka'Von Chisolm, defensive standout: Recorded seven tackles, two sacks for 14 yards and three tackles for loss totaling 15 yards.
- Jabin Ford, defensive back: Registered an interception and two tackles while adding 45 kickoff return yards.
- MaxCeon Cobb, punter: Averaged 42.5 yards on eight punts, placing five inside Howard's 20-yard line.
By the Numbers: SC State vs. Howard
| Category |
SC State |
Howard |
| Final score |
35 |
28 |
| Total offense |
479 |
382 |
| Rushing yards |
226 |
149 |
| Passing yards |
253 |
233 |
| First downs |
23 |
20 |
| Rushing touchdowns |
3 |
1 |
| Sacks |
2 |
0 |
| Interceptions |
1 |
0 |
| Red-zone scoring |
6-for-6 |
1-for-1 |
Bulldog Notes
- SC State extended its MEAC winning streak to 13 consecutive games.
- The Bulldogs improved to 8-2 overall and remained unbeaten at 3-0 in conference play.
- Brown's 143 rushing yards represented his highest single-game total of the season, based on the season-high information provided.
- SC State scored 14 fourth-quarter points, both on touchdown runs by Brown.
- The Bulldogs finished a perfect 6-for-6 on red-zone scoring opportunities, producing four touchdowns and two field goals.
- SC State's offense did not commit a turnover and did not allow a quarterback sack.
- The Bulldogs recorded their winning touchdown on a seven-play, 74-yard drive in just 1:05.
- SC State outgained Howard by 97 yards in total offense.
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