‘A big-time wake-up call’: Disappointing 2022 has SC State football seeking redemption

Following a dominating 31-10 victory over Jackson State in the 2021 Celebration Bowl to claim the HBCU national championship, South Carolina State entered the 2022 college football season confident another successful campaign was on the way.

Unfortunately, the good feelings from the previous year before didn’t last. The Bulldogs struggled in 2022, finishing with a 3-8 overall record and just one win in conference play.

Bulldogs head coach Buddy Pough didn’t fret, but didn’t stand pat either. With new offensive and defensive coordinators and a core of players he trusts, State’s veteran leader enters 2023 confident his squad can return to its winning ways.

“It’s been a big-time wake-up call for us,” Pough said of his team’s 2022 performance. “That just shows, if you don’t take care of business, what can happen if you don’t dot your I’s and cross your T’s. You have to get down and go back to work. Somehow we didn’t do something right coming into that year.

“We weren’t fortunate either. We had some bad injuries at critical times. We beat North Carolina Central, then didn’t win another conference game. You can go 10 years and not have that happen — at least we hope it doesn’t happen this year. These guys, I think, have been awoken by that particular situation. ... I think we’ll be better because of it.”

The Bulldogs will get an early chance to prove it has what it takes to contend for the conference title as it faces Jackson State on Aug. 26 in the Mercedes-Benz Dome.

It gives S.C. State an opportunity to play a team that, despite the exodus of head coach Deion Sanders, has developed a recognizable brand in front of a national audience.

“It’s fun,” Pough said of the game. “We get a chance to play on ABC. We’ll be one of the only schools playing. All the colleges in the HBCU will be watching. All the ingredients of what you want are there. We should have a good viewership.”

Leading the way offensively will be veteran quarterback Corey Fields.

Despite struggling last season, Pough is confident he has what it take to put the offense back on the right track.

“He’s been doing good,”Pough said. “Corey is a grownup. This is his sixth year. He’s done nicely. He’s had his good days and his bad. He’s still not the most accurate guy in the world, but he is one of the most mature guys in the world.

“It’s nothing like having a guy in charge who knows where everybody is. He has command of the offense and will do a good job.”

There’s another reason Fields continues to own the keys to the offense: He’s a team leader.

“He has graduated,” Pough said of Fields. “He has his master’s. ... He’s certified to teach. While he was out on the field (during the spring of 2021), schools were trying to hire him. I told them to ‘leave my guy alone. He’s going to be here for another year or two, but we might let him (substitute teach).’

“He’s done a really good job of taking care of the academic side of things. We’ve got 11 guys on this team that have graduated. Any time you have guys like that, there’ a good chance you have proven leadership.”

Fields is ready to make his final collegiate season his best.

“We were able to fly around with the football,” Fields said after the Bulldogs’ initial scrimmage. “We had some mistakes, some fumbles, but overall it was a good day. I know what Coach Pough expects of me and how he wants the offense to go. My focus is to get everyone on the same page.”

First-year defensive coordinator Thomas Howard has Pough excited about his team on that side of the ball.

“He is doing a nice job creating a sense of urgency. I really like what he’s doing,” Pough said. “I think the defense can be good for years to come. I’m excited about the future. The guys on that side of the ball do a good job of communicating and getting the best out of their players.”

Three key players

Corey Fields, graduate senior, quarterback

In his sixth year with the team, Fields struggled a year ago. Following a disappointing season, coach Buddy Pough is confident he’ll turn it around.

Patrick Godbolt, graduate senior, defensive lineman

Godbolt is a disruptive defensive force. He is so good he has been named preseason first team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. He finished the 2022 season with 13.5 tackles for loss, including 4.5 sacks.

Jaylen Evans, graduate senior, defensive back

Evans (6-1, 200) has been a standout in the Bulldogs secondary during fall practice. He appears to be the leader the team needs in the back four.

Three big games

Aug. 26 vs. Jackson State in Atlanta

The Bulldogs’ first game will draw a national audience. A win against the Tigers could give the Bulldogs the momentum it needs prior to beginning MEAC play.

Oct. 21 at Delaware State

The Delaware State game has helped determine the Bulldogs fate the last couple season. S.C. State won the game in 2021, but lost in 2022.

Oct. 26 at N.C. Central

N.C. Central easily won the MEAC last season and hopes to do the same this year. A South Carolina State win could change that.

This story was originally published August 17, 2023 at 9:00 AM.