ORANGEBURG, S.C. — South Carolina State opened the season with an emphatic 87-0 victory over Savannah State.
The Bulldogs scored 21 points in the first quarter. Quarterback Keely Watson threw touchdown passes to Malaqhi Jones from 23 yards and Mason Pickett-Hicks from 9 yards, while Ronnie Robinson added a 30-yard touchdown run.
SC State added 31 points in the second quarter to take a 52-0 halftime lead, emphatically slamming the door on the competitive portion of the evening’s festivities. Watson connected with Tyler Smith for his third touchdown pass, Zaivan Offord scored, and Josh Shaw added three rushing touchdowns on runs of 5, 4 and 10 yards.
The Bulldogs finished with 87 points while holding Savannah State scoreless. Pickett-Hicks rushed for 95 yards on nine carries, and Ricorian Brown added 75 yards on seven attempts.
With 87 points, zero allowed and a 52-0 halftime advantage, South Carolina State delivered an emphatic season-opening statement and showed why the defending champions remain among the HBCU elite.
