SC State Withstands Morgan State Comeback for 36-30 Win

**South Carolina State Holds Off Morgan State Comeback in Thrilling 36-30 MEAC Victory**

**ORANGEBURG, S.C. – October [Insert Day, e.g., 28], 2023** – South Carolina State survived a furious second-half rally from conference rival Morgan State on Saturday, clinching a dramatic 36-30 victory that came down to the final play at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. The Bulldogs, after building a commanding early lead, showcased remarkable resilience to regain control and secure the hard-fought win in front of a spirited home crowd.

Bulldogs quarterback William Atkins IV was the orchestrator of South Carolina State’s potent offense, delivering a stellar performance with an impressive 363 passing yards and one touchdown. Running back Tyler Smith was instrumental in establishing an early advantage, finding the end zone twice on the ground to power the Bulldogs to a significant lead. At one point in the second quarter, SC State held a commanding 30-10 cushion, eventually heading into halftime with a comfortable 30-17 lead.

However, Morgan State, known for their tenacity, refused to yield. The Bears launched a spirited comeback, fueled by quarterback Dominique “DJ” Graham, who threw for 229 yards and two touchdowns. Both of Graham’s scoring passes went to wide receiver Duane “DJ” Davis, who was a constant threat, hauling in nine catches for 126 yards. On the ground, J.J. Davis proved unstoppable for stretches, racking up 134 rushing yards, including a highlight-reel 65-yard touchdown run that ignited Morgan State’s resurgence.

The momentum truly shifted in the third quarter as Morgan State scored 13 unanswered points, narrowing the deficit considerably. The Bears’ relentless pressure culminated early in the fourth quarter when defensive lineman Joseph Kamara sacked Atkins in the end zone for a safety, giving Morgan State their first lead of the game, 30-29. The stadium buzzed with the palpable shift in momentum.

Despite the stunning turn of events, South Carolina State demonstrated their championship mettle. The Bulldogs mounted a crucial response drive, highlighted by a pivotal 31-yard pass from Atkins to Eric Ellison Jr., which placed the ball at the Morgan State 1-yard line. From there, running back Shaquan Brock punched it in from a yard out, putting SC State back in front 36-30 with just 6:39 left on the clock.

Morgan State, with one final opportunity to tie or win, started their last possession from their own 15-yard line with less than two minutes remaining and no timeouts. Graham and the Bears valiantly fought their way to midfield, but the SC State defense stood tall when it mattered most. On a dramatic 4th-and-10, the Bulldogs’ secondary forced an incomplete pass, sealing the thrilling 36-30 victory as the clock expired.

The contest proved to be a classic MEAC showdown, showcasing the competitive spirit and talent within the conference. Both teams left it all on the field in a game that truly went down to the wire.