South Carolina State to face intrastate mix again

Orangeburg, SC (SportsNetwork.com) - South Carolina State football will open its 2014 season against four intrastate opponents and play at home five times as part of a 12-game schedule announced on Tuesday.

The Bulldogs are coming off a co-championship in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, a 9-4 record and a No. 25 finish in The Sports Network FCS Top 25.

South Carolina State will begin the season with three straight road games against Benedict (Aug. 30), Clemson (Sept. 6) and Coastal Carolina (Sept. 13) before hosting Furman (Sept. 20) in its home opener. The Bulldogs played all four South Carolina teams last season, defeating only Benedict and losing to Furman in the FCS playoffs.

The Bulldogs' other home games are within the MEAC against North Carolina Central (Oct. 11), Bethune-Cookman (Oct. 25), Savannah State (Nov. 1, Homecoming) and Norfolk State (Nov. 22). Bethune-Cookman shared the conference title with the Bulldogs last season.

Coach Buddy Pough's squad also will take to the road to face MEAC opponents Hampton (Sept. 27) North Carolina A&T (Oct. 4 in Atlanta), Florida A&M (Nov. 8) and Morgan State (Nov. 15).

2014 South Carolina State Football Schedule

Aug. 30, at Benedict (at Columbia, S.C.)

Sept. 6, at Clemson

Sept. 13, at Coastal Carolina

Sept. 20, Furman

Sept. 27, at Hampton*

Oct. 4, North Carolina A&T* (at Atlanta)

Oct. 11, North Carolina Central*

Oct. 25, Bethune-Cookman*

Nov. 1, Savannah State* (Homecoming)

Nov. 8, at Florida A&M*

Nov. 15, at Morgan State*

Nov. 22, Norfolk State*

* - MEAC game