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
Championships
National championships
The Bulldogs have been awarded a NCAA-recognized black college football national championship six times in program history.
Conference championships
South Carolina State has won nineteen Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles, eleven outright and eight shared. Asterisk denotes shared title.
Division I-AA/FCS Playoffs results
The Bulldogs have appeared in the I-AA/FCS playoffs six times with a record of 2–6.
Bowl game results
The Bulldogs have appeared in 15 bowl games, with a record of 7–8.
Pro Football Hall of Fame members
College Football Hall of Fame members
Alumni in the NFL
Over 40 South Carolina State alumni have played in the NFL, including:
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 March 7, 2025
See also
- list of black college football classics
Notes and references
External links
- Official website
