It is kind of wild when you think about it. Most people expected a bit of a lull after the legendary Buddy Pough called it a career. Instead, Chennis Berry stepped into Orangeburg and basically set the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference on fire. If you followed the south carolina state bulldogs football schedule over the last year, you saw a team that didn't just win; they dominated their way to an HBCU National Championship.
Honestly, the 2025 season was a fever dream for the Bulldog faithful. They finished the regular season with a perfect 5-0 mark in the MEAC. But let's be real—the schedule was a gauntlet. Between taking on the big-money FBS programs and the grind of the conference slate, this wasn't a "gimme" year.
The 2025 Schedule Recap: How They Got to the Top
The Bulldogs didn't take the easy road. They started at home in Oliver C. Dawson Stadium with a nail-biting 16-15 win over Wofford on August 30th. It wasn't pretty. It was gritty. But it set the tone.
Then came the money games. On September 6th, they traveled to Columbia to face the South Carolina Gamecocks. They lost 38-10, but if you watched that game, you saw the Bulldogs hang around much longer than the "experts" predicted. Two weeks later, they were in Tampa taking a lashing from USF (63-14), yet they didn't let those FBS losses break their spirit.
A Breakdown of the Championship Stretch
Once the non-conference dust settled, the Bulldogs turned into a different beast. Look at how this run went down:
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- October 4: A massive 49-6 homecoming win over Savannah State. The atmosphere in Orangeburg was electric.
- October 11: They went into Greensboro and took down rival North Carolina A&T 22-16.
- The MEAC Sweep: They tore through Norfolk State (51-20), Morgan State (36-30), and Howard (42-12).
- The Clincher: On November 14th, in a Friday night ESPN2 showdown, they beat NC Central 34-27 in Durham. That was essentially the conference title game.
The season culminated on December 13th at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. In one of the most insane Celebration Bowls ever, SC State beat Prairie View A&M 40-38 in four overtimes. Four. Overtimes. It was the kind of game that leaves you needing a nap just from watching.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 South Carolina State Bulldogs Football Schedule
Now we’re moving into the 2026 cycle. The target on their back is massive. Everyone wants a piece of the defending champs. While the full MEAC dates usually drop later in the spring, we already know several of the non-conference matchups that are going to test this roster's depth.
September 12, 2026: The Bulldogs are slated to host Virginia State. This is one of those games where fans expect a win, but it serves as a crucial tune-up before the "real" season starts.
October 3, 2026: This is the one circled in red. The Citadel. There’s a lot of history here. Playing the military college always brings out a different kind of intensity.
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October 10, 2026: A trip to North Charleston to face Charleston Southern. Last time these two met in 2025, the Bulldogs dropped a close one (31-24). You can bet Coach Berry has that score saved on his phone.
Tentative Matchups and Rumors
We're also hearing about games against Alabama State and Furman. These haven't all had firm dates stamped on them yet, but the rumors suggest the Bulldogs are sticking to their philosophy: play tough regional opponents to keep the strength of schedule high.
What Most People Get Wrong About SC State Football
A lot of casual fans think HBCU football is just about the halftime show. Look, the Marching 101 is incredible—maybe the best in the country—but this football team is built on a "pro-style" mentality. Eric Phoenix proved last year that the Bulldogs can air it out just as well as anyone in the FCS.
The defense is the real story, though. They held Howard to just 12 points and Savannah State to 6. They don't just beat you; they suffocate you. People often underestimate the recruiting pull Chennis Berry has. He’s getting guys who could play in the Sun Belt or the MAC but choose the culture at SC State.
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Why the Schedule Matters for the Celebration Bowl
In the MEAC, the schedule isn't just about winning games; it's about survival. Because the MEAC champion gets an automatic bid to the Celebration Bowl (the de facto HBCU National Championship), one slip-up can ruin the entire year.
Last season, the Bulldogs stayed healthy during that brutal stretch in November. That’s the key for 2026. If they can get through the non-conference slate without losing their primary playmakers, they are the favorites to represent the MEAC in Atlanta again.
Key Factors for 2026 Success:
- The Quarterback Transition: If Phoenix is gone, who steps up? The spring game will be telling.
- Road Warriors: With trips to Charleston Southern and potentially Furman, the Bulldogs have to prove they can win outside of Orangeburg.
- The Target: You aren't the underdog anymore. Every team on the south carolina state bulldogs football schedule is spending their entire offseason specifically scouting you.
How to Follow the Bulldogs This Season
If you’re planning to attend a game at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, get your tickets early. After the championship run, the "Educators and Faculty Appreciation" days and Homecoming are going to be sold out weeks in advance.
Most games will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks (ESPN+, ESPN2, or ESPNU). The MEAC has a solid TV deal, so even if you can't make the drive to Orangeburg, you won't miss a snap.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be a defining moment for the program. Can they turn a great year into a dynasty? Or will the pressure of being the hunted finally catch up to them? Either way, it’s going to be a fun ride.
Next Steps for Fans:
Keep an eye on the official SC State Athletics website during the first week of March. That is typically when the MEAC releases the finalized kickoff times and the full conference rotation. You should also check ticket availability for the Citadel game specifically, as that remains one of the highest-demand tickets in the state.