South Carolina State remained unbeaten Saturday night, defeating Bethune-Cookman 31-21 at Daytona Stadium in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The Bulldogs improved to 5-0 on the season, while Bethune-Cookman fell to 2-2. South Carolina State built a 24-7 halftime advantage, survived a second-half rally by the Wildcats and put the game away with a fourth-quarter touchdown.
South Carolina State finished with 430 yards of total offense, including 282 rushing yards and 148 passing yards. Bethune-Cookman managed 238 total yards.
How It Happened
South Carolina State struck first when Josh Shaw scored on a 4-yard touchdown run with 12:36 remaining in the first quarter.
Bethune-Cookman answered quickly. Tyler Jefferson broke loose for a 63-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7.
The Bulldogs regained the lead later in the opening quarter when quarterback Keely Watson connected with Troy Hillman for an 18-yard touchdown.
South Carolina State added two more scores in the second quarter.
Watson found Darius Thompson for a 32-yard touchdown with 5:12 remaining in the half, and Jett Jackson converted a 34-yard field goal with 1:01 left to give the Bulldogs a 24-7 halftime advantage.
Bethune-Cookman came roaring back in the third quarter.
Rashon Brown scored on a 45-yard touchdown run with 4:58 remaining in the quarter, cutting the deficit to 24-14.
The Wildcats pulled within three possessions later when Isaiah Daniel found Josh Evans for a 35-yard touchdown with 40 seconds left in the third quarter.
But South Carolina State’s defense shut the door in the fourth.
After a lengthy 11-play, 85-yard drive, Shaw powered into the end zone from one yard out with 1:56 remaining. Jackson’s extra point pushed the Bulldogs’ lead back to 31-21 and effectively sealed the victory.
Scoring Summary
| Quarter | Time | Play | Score |
| 1st | 12:36 | SCS — Josh Shaw 4-yard TD run | SCS 7-0 |
| 1st | 11:14 | BCU — Tyler Jefferson 63-yard TD run | 7-7 |
| 1st | 7:53 | SCS — Troy Hillman 18-yard TD reception from Keely Watson | SCS 14-7 |
| 2nd | 5:12 | SCS — Darius Thompson 32-yard TD reception from Watson | SCS 21-7 |
| 2nd | 1:01 | SCS — Jett Jackson 34-yard field goal | SCS 24-7 |
| 3rd | 4:58 | BCU — Rashon Brown 45-yard TD run | SCS 24-14 |
| 3rd | 0:40 | BCU — Josh Evans 35-yard TD reception from Isaiah Daniel | SCS 24-21 |
| 4th | 1:56 | SCS — Josh Shaw 1-yard TD run | SCS 31-21 |
Key Performers
South Carolina State
- Keely Watson: 14-of-19 passing, 146 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT
- Mason Pickett-Hicks: 14 carries, 136 yards
- Tyler Smith: 7 carries, 91 yards
- Josh Shaw: 14 carries, 54 yards, 2 TDs
- Darius Thompson: 1 reception, 32 yards, TD
- Troy Hillman: 3 receptions, 28 yards, TD
Bethune-Cookman
- Tyler Jefferson: 13-of-19 passing, 96 yards; 15 carries, 57 yards, TD
- Rashon Brown: 11 carries, 55 yards, TD
- Josh Evans: 4 receptions, 65 yards, TD
| Category | South Carolina State | Bethune-Cookman |
| Total Yards | 430 | 238 |
| Rushing Yards | 282 | 107 |
| Passing Yards | 148 | 131 |
| First Downs | 21 | 14 |
| Time of Possession | 33:17 | 26:43 |
| Sacks | 5 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
South Carolina State also went 4-for-4 in the red zone and converted both of its fourth-down attempts.
The Takeaway
Bethune-Cookman made things interesting after halftime, turning a 17-point deficit into a three-point game entering the fourth quarter. South Carolina State, however, responded with its most important drive of the night — an 85-yard, 11-play march capped by Shaw’s 1-yard touchdown.
The Bulldogs leave Daytona Beach 5–0, while Bethune-Cookman drops to 2–2.
By the Numbers
