After a irritating 31–24 loss to Charleston Southern, South Carolina State head soccer coach Chennis Berry is looking forward to this weekend’s homecoming matchup towards Savannah State as an opportunity to reset and refocus his Bulldogs.
Regardless of outgaining Charleston Southern in complete offense and profitable the time of possession battle, S.C. State was undone by a sluggish begin and three turnovers—errors Berry referred to as uncharacteristic of his program.
“We shot ourselves within the foot,” Berry mentioned in a media name Monday. “We began sluggish—three-and-outs on our first two drives—and that changed into touchdowns for them. That’s not typical of our groups. We normally begin quick.”
The Bulldogs’ offense ultimately discovered its rhythm, however the early miscues proved pricey. Nonetheless, Berry remained optimistic about his workforce’s mindset heading into Week 5.
“Life is 10 p.c what occurs to you and 90 p.c the way you reply,” Berry mentioned. “Our younger males are already responding the correct manner. We’re a championship-level program. We imagine that.”
South Carolina State (2–3) now prepares to host Savannah State (2–3) on Saturday at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff, broadcast on ESPN+. The sport additionally marks the college’s homecoming, which Berry says provides much more pleasure—and extra strain.
“It’s homecoming, man. We’ll have 50,000 Bulldog followers all throughout Orangeburg,” Berry mentioned. “However on the finish of the day, it’s not in regards to the crowd—it’s about locking in. It’s about fixing us.”
Berry, a Savannah State alumnus, praised the Tigers and head coach Aaron Kelton for his or her competitiveness, noting that they’ve been in each recreation this season.
“They’re doing a little good issues. However I all the time inform our guys, don’t fear about data. Simply research the 11 males lined up throughout from you,” Berry mentioned. “For us, it’s about particulars, self-discipline, and accountability.”
Berry emphasised that whereas the Bulldogs are gifted, they should clear up the basics in the event that they wish to obtain their targets.
“When expertise meets expertise, one thing else has to take over,” he mentioned. “And that one thing for us is self-discipline. We’re going to get it cleaned up—no query about it.”
As for the ever-popular homecoming ticket requests?
“I’m not within the ticket enterprise,” Berry mentioned, laughing. “I give my little allotment to my spouse and let her deal with that. However if you happen to haven’t referred to as me shortly and now you’re calling for tickets—I inform of us, simply spend the $50 and help HBCUs.”
