Venue & Game Info
Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET
Location: Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, Orangeburg, South Carolina (Capacity: ~22,000)
Broadcast: ESPN+ Radio: SC State Bulldog Sports Network / BCU Radio Network
Notable: Non-conference HBCU matchup between former MEAC rivals; first meeting since 2022
Weather Outlook (Orangeburg, SC — Sept. 13)
Forecast: Mostly sunny
Temperature at Kickoff: ~84°F, “feels like” upper 80s
Humidity: ~58%
Wind: Light SSW at 5–7 mph
Precipitation:
Impact: Warm, humid conditions — could test depth and conditioning in the second half
Injury & Availability Report
South Carolina State:
No major starters ruled out
QB Corey Fields Jr. healthy; 3 TD passes through two games
RB Kendrell Flowers (team-high rushing yards) available
Bethune–Cookman:
No major starters ruled out
QB Walter Simmons III healthy; looking to improve after two tough outings vs. FBS opponents
WR Kemari Averett (All-SWAC 2024) active
Recent Form
South Carolina State:
L 38–10 at South Carolina (FBS) — competitive early, but outmatched physically
W 16–15 vs. Wofford — defense forced 2 turnovers, Flowers rushed for 102 yards
Bethune–Cookman:
L 45–3 at Miami (FL) — offense held under 200 total yards
L 42–9 at Florida International — struggled to stop the run, gave up 200+ rush yards
Series History
All-Time: South Carolina State leads 34–23–1
Last Meeting: 2022 — South Carolina State 33, Bethune–Cookman 9
Trend: SCSU has won 4 of the last 5 meetings
Betting Trends
South Carolina State: 4–1 ATS in last 5 home games vs. SWAC opponents
Bethune–Cookman: 2–8 ATS in last 10 road games
Under has hit in 3 of the last 4 meetings
Game Odds
Bethune–Cookman Wildcats 48.5
South Carolina State Bulldogs – 17.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 12, 2025
