Venue & Game Info
Stadium: Oliver C. Dawson Stadium (capacity ~22,000)
Location: Orangeburg, South Carolina
Kickoff Time: 1:30 PM ET (10:30 AM PT)
Broadcast: ESPN+ / MEAC Digital Network
Weather Forecast (Orangeburg, SC)
Conditions: Mostly sunny, warm fall afternoon
Temperature: ~78°F at kickoff, cooling into the low 70s by evening
Wind: 6–10 mph
Impact: Excellent football weather; minimal effect on passing/kicking
Injury Report
Savannah State Tigers:
QB J. Carter – Probable (ankle soreness)
RB Malik Johnson – Questionable (hamstring)
South Carolina State Bulldogs:
QB W. Atkins IV – Probable (shoulder soreness)
RB K. Adams – Probable (knee bruise)
WR J. Johnson – Probable (ankle tweak)
Key Player Matchups
QB W. Atkins IV (SCSU) vs Savannah State Secondary
Atkins averages 293 passing yards per game and will test a Tigers defense that has struggled against the pass.
RB K. Adams (SCSU) vs Savannah State Front Seven
Adams is the Bulldogs’ workhorse, averaging 65 yards per game; Savannah State must contain him to stay competitive.
QB J. Carter (SSU) vs SCSU Pass Rush
Carter has shown flashes but must avoid turnovers against a Bulldogs defense that thrives on pressure.
WR J. Johnson (SCSU) vs CB Marcus Hall (SSU)
Johnson leads SCSU in receiving yards; Hall is SSU’s most experienced cover corner.
Recent Team Form
South Carolina State Bulldogs (2–3, MEAC)
L 31–24 vs Charleston Southern
L 63–14 @ South Florida
W 55–41 vs Bethune‑Cookman
L 38–10 @ South Carolina
W 16–15 vs Wofford
Offense: 37.6 PPG Defense: 34.2 PPG
Savannah State Tigers (2–2, SIAC)
W 33–20 vs Kentucky State
L 45–19 @ Miles College
L 30–13 vs Shorter
W 41–14 vs Edward Waters
Offense: 26.5 PPG Defense: 28.5 PPG
Series History
All‑time: South Carolina State leads the series comfortably
Recent:
2018: South Carolina State 21–17
2016: South Carolina State 35–14
Trend: SCSU has won multiple straight meetings, though the 2018 matchup was decided by just four points.
ATS (Against the Spread):
SCSU: 1–4 ATS last 5
SSU: 2–3 ATS last 5
Historical Betting Results:
SCSU covered in 2016’s 35–14 win
SSU covered in 2018’s 21–17 loss
Projected Score: South Carolina State 34 – Savannah State 20
Game Odds
Savannah State Tigers 56
South Carolina State Bulldogs – 14
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 3, 2025
