The South Carolina State Bulldogs football team represents South Carolina State University in college football. The Bulldogs play in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).

A historically dominant football program, the Bulldogs lead the MEAC in conference championships. The school has produced four players enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame including Harry Carson, Deacon Jones, Marion Motley, and Donnie Shell. Other legendary Bulldog players include Robert Porcher, Shaquille Leonard, Barney Chavous, Charlie Brown and Orlando Brown Sr., Javon Hargrave, Decobie Durant, among others.

Former SC State coach Willie Jeffries became the first African American head coach of a predominantly white Division I-A football program, when he was hired to coach the Wichita State football program in 1979. Jeffries is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.

History List of South Carolina State Bulldogs football seasons

Classifications 1956–1972: NCAA College Division 1967–1969: NAIA 1970–1978: NAIA Division I 1973–1977: NCAA Division II 1978–present: NCAA Division I–AA/FCS

Conference memberships 1907–1928: Independent 1929–1934: Southeastern Athletic Conference 1935–1970: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference 1971–present: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference

Bulldogs vs. in-state NCAA Division I schools School Record Percentage Streak First Meeting Last Meeting Charleston Southern 7–1 Lost 1 1991 2025 Clemson 0–5 Lost 5 2008 2021 Coastal Carolina 0–5 Lost 5 2005 2015 Furman 6-12 .333 Won 1 1982 2026 Presbyterian 2–0 Won 2 1989 1990 South Carolina 0–3 Lost 3 2007 2025 The Citadel 3–4 .428 Won 2 1989 2024 Wofford 4–6 Won 2 1974 2025 South Carolina State 22 - in-state NCAA Division I Schools 35

Championships

National championships The Bulldogs have been awarded an NCAA-recognized black college football national championship seven times in program history.

1976Willie JeffriesADW, Jet, MBN, NPC10–1 W Bicentennial Bowl 1977Willie JeffriesNPC9–1–1 W Gold Bowl1981Bill DavisADW, SBN10–31994Willie JeffriesADW, BCSP, Heritage Bowl10–2W Heritage Bowl2009Oliver PoughADW, AURN, B-CP, B-MP, BCSP, PCWDC10–22021B-CP, Celebration Bowl, DCCC-M, HBCUS-UP7–5W Celebration Bowl2025 Chennis Berry Celebration Bowl10–3W Celebration Bowl

Conference championships South Carolina State has won twenty Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles, twelve outright and eight shared. Asterisk denotes shared title. 1974* Willie Jeffries 8–4 5–11975* Willie Jeffries 8–2–1 5–11976* Willie Jeffries 10–1 5–11977 Willie Jeffries 9–1–1 6–01978 Willie Jeffries 8–2–1 5–0–11980 Bill Davis 10–1 5–01981 Bill Davis 10–3 5–01982 Bill Davis 9–3 4–11983 Bill Davis 7–3 4–01994 Willie Jeffries 10–2 6–02004* Oliver Pough 9–2 6–12008 Oliver Pough10–3 8–02009 Oliver Pough 10–2 8–02010* Oliver Pough9–3 7–12013* Oliver Pough 9–4 7–12014* Oliver Pough8–4 6–22019* Oliver Pough 8–3 6–22021 Oliver Pough7–5 5–02024 Chennis Berry 9–3 5–02025 Chennis Berry 10–3 5–0

Division I-AA/FCS Playoffs results The Bulldogs have appeared in the I-AA/FCS playoffs six times with a record of 2–6.

1981 Quarterfinals Tennessee State W 26–25 OT Semifinals Idaho State L 12–41 1982 First round Furman W 17–0 Quarterfinals Louisiana Tech L 3–38 2008 First round Appalachian State L 21–37 2009 First round Appalachian State L 13–20 2010 First round Georgia Southern L 16–41 2013 First Round Furman L 20–30

Bowl game results The Bulldogs have appeared in 16 bowl games, with a record of 8–8.

1946 Pecan Bowl Johnson C. Smith W 13–6 1947 Pecan Bowl Allen W 7–0 1950 Peninsula Bowl Allen L 13–47 1973 Orange Blossom Classic Florida A&M L 12–23 1974 Textile Bowl Wofford L 0–20 1974 Pelican Bowl Grambling State L 7–28 1975 Pelican Bowl Southern L 12–15 1976 Bicentennial Bowl Norfolk State W 26–10 1977 Gold Bowl Winston-Salem State W 10–7 1979 Gold Bowl Norfolk State W 39–7 1994 Heritage Bowl Southern L 0–11 1994 Heritage Bowl Grambling State W 31–27 1997 Heritage Bowl Southern L 28–34 2021 Celebration Bowl Jackson State W 31–10 2024 Celebration Bowl Jackson State L 7–28 2025 Celebration Bowl Prairie View A&M W 40–38 4OT

Pro Football Hall of Fame members

Pro Football Hall of Fame members Player Pos. Years at SCSU Year inducted Ref. Harry Carson LB 1972–1975 2006 Deacon Jones DE 1958 1980 Marion Motley FB 1939–1940 1968 Donnie Shell S 1970–1973 2020

College Football Hall of Fame members

College Football Hall of Fame members Player Pos. Years at SCSU Year inducted Harry Carson DE 1972–1975 2002 Willie Jeffries HC 1973–1978, 1989–2001 2010 Donnie Shell S 1970–1973 1998

Alumni in the NFL Over 40 South Carolina State alumni have played in the NFL, including:

Phillip Adams Charlie Brown Orlando Brown Sr. Rafael Bush Barney Bussey Harry Carson Barney Chavous Anthony Cook Cobie Durant John Gilliam Javon Hargrave Dwayne Harper Antonio Hamilton Temarrick Hemingway Michael Hicks Willie Holman Deacon Jones William Judson Angelo King James Lee Shaquille Leonard Marshall McFadden Kimario McFadden Ervin Parker Robert Porcher Joe Thomas Christian Thompson Chuck Darby

Rivalries SC State has maintained heated rivalries with the North Carolina A&T Aggies, Florida A&M Rattlers, and Bethune-Cookman Wildcats.

NCAA Record On November 19, 2016, Joe Thomas Sr., father of Green Bay Packers linebacker Joe Thomas, became the oldest player to play in an NCAA Division I game. At 55 years of age, Thomas Sr. had one carry for three yards as a running back in a contest versus Savannah State.

Future non-conference opponents Announced schedules as of August 11, 2026 Savannah State vs Alcorn State (Atlanta, GA)MEAC/SWAC Challenge Florida A&M vs Florida A&M(Miami Gardens, FL) at Coastal Carolina Virginia State at Wofford at Furman Furman at Bethune–Cookman The Citadel at Charleston Southern

See also list of black college football classics

Notes and references

External links