The South Carolina State Bulldogs football team represents South Carolina State University in college football. The Bulldogs play in NCAA Division I Football Championship 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 three players enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame including Harry Carson, Deacon Jones, and Marion Motley. Other legendary Bulldog players include Robert Porcher and Donnie Shell. Legendary former SC State Coach Willie Jeffries became the first African American Head Coach of a predominantly white Division 1-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
Classifications
- 1946â€"1972: NCAA College Division
- 1967â€"1969: NAIA
- 1970â€"1978: NAIA Division I
- 1973â€"1977: NCAA Division II
- 1978â€"present: NCAA Division Iâ€"AA/FCS
Conference memberships
- 1907â€"1938: Independent
- 1939â€"1970: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
- 1971â€"present: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
South Carolina State vs. In-State NCAA Division I schools
Conference Championships
1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1994, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014
Division I-AA/FCS Playoffs results
The Bulldogs have appeared in the I-AA/FCS playoffs six times with a record of 2â€"6.
Bowl Game Results
The Bulldogs have appeared in thirteen bowl games, with a record of 6â€"7.
Professional Football Hall of Fame members (Canton, Ohio)
- Harry Carson
- Deacon Jones
- Marion Motley
College Football Hall of Fame members
- Harry Carson
- Willie Jeffries
- Donnie Shell
Alumni in the NFL
Over 40 South Carolina State alumni have played in the NFL, including:
- Phillip Adams
- Charlie Brown
- Orlando "Zeus" Brown
- Rafael Bush
- Barney Bussey
- Barney Chavous
- Anthony Cook
- John Gilliam
- Javon Hargrave
- Dwayne Harper
- Antonio Hamilton
- Temarrick Hemingway
- Willie Holman
- Deacon Jones
- James Lee
- Marshall McFadden
- Kimario McFadden
- Robert Porcher
- Joe Thomas
- Christian Thompson
- Al Young
Rivalries
SC State has maintained a heated rivalry with the North Carolina A&T Aggies.
Oldest player to play in a NCAA Division I game
On November 19, 2016, Joe Thomas, Sr., father of Green Bay Packers linebacker Joe Thomas, became the oldest player to play in a 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.
See also
- list of black college football classics