After a historic 2024 marketing campaign that noticed South Carolina State go 9-3 total, run the desk in convention play at 5-0, and earn a MEAC championship and a visit to the Cricket Celebration Bowl, the Bulldogs enter the 2025 season with excessive expectations and a goal on their backs.
Head coach Chennis Berry, now in his second season on the helm, will not be backing down from the problem.
“We are able to’t do something about final season,” Berry mentioned throughout Monday’s MEAC Coaches’ Convention. “It is a new crew, a brand new season — however our mission doesn’t change. Our purpose is to go 1-0 every single day. Win on and off the sphere, dominate right now.”
Regardless of key departures from final 12 months’s squad, together with MEAC Offensive Participant of the Yr quarterback Eric Phoenix, Berry is happy concerning the group of 105 gamers at the moment in camp — together with 44 newcomers.
“We’ve had a extremely aggressive camp,” Berry mentioned. “We’ve obtained guys preventing for spots at each place. Our depth is perhaps higher than final 12 months. Sure, we misplaced some starters, however we return numerous guys with expertise.”
Berry emphasised that quarterback play will likely be essential this season, pointing to a battle between returning junior Ryan Stubblefield and James Madison switch Billy Atkins. Each sign callers deliver dual-threat means and robust arms to the offense.
“We’ll discover out August thirtieth who’s operating on the market first,” Berry mentioned with a smile.
The Bulldogs will kick off their season at residence in opposition to Wofford, a SoCon opponent predicted to complete seventh in its convention. Whereas Wofford returns 10 starters, they too have numerous new faces — 59 to be actual.
“Wofford’s sound, well-coached, and really a number of on either side of the ball,” Berry mentioned. “However we’re centered on us. We’ve obtained to execute our id.”
On the defensive facet, South Carolina State returns a bodily entrance, headlined by defensive lineman Josh Barker, who Berry says opponents should account for each snap.
“In case you don’t sport plan to dam Josh, he’ll wreck your entire offense,” Berry mentioned. “And we’re deep up entrance.”
The Bulldogs’ protection additionally options standout returners like DE Jordan Greenback and Tulane switch Mike Lunz, alongside Arkansas State linebacker switch R.J. Kelly. The secondary, led by preseason All-American Jared Washington, has drawn reward from Berry as some of the gifted models on the crew.
Particular groups haven’t been neglected both.
“Our kickers, punters, and snappers have been in fierce competitors all camp,” Berry mentioned. “That’s the third section of the sport. It issues.”
Because the Bulldogs gear up for a schedule that options seven non-conference video games earlier than MEAC play begins in late October, Berry insists the strategy stays easy.
“One and 0. That’s it,” he mentioned. “We don’t look forward. I actually couldn’t even let you know who we play Week 2. Proper now, we’re centered on Wofford.”
When requested concerning the added stress that comes with being the preseason convention favourite, Berry brushed it off.
“Final I checked, Bulldogs hunt,” he mentioned. “We don’t fear about being hunted. We’re humble and hungry. Rankings don’t imply a factor — we’ve obtained to go play the sport.”
This story was drafted utilizing an AI instrument based mostly on the transcript of the MEAC weekly coaches’ convention and was then reviewed and edited by a journalist earlier than publishing.
