You probably saw the headlines about the South Carolina State football score after that wild afternoon in Atlanta, but the numbers alone don’t really tell the story. 40-38. That was the final in quadruple overtime against Prairie View A&M. Honestly, it was the kind of game that makes you age five years just watching it from the couch.
If you fell asleep at halftime, you missed a miracle. The Bulldogs were down 21 points. They looked gassed. Then, something just clicked. Under coach Chennis Berry, this team has developed a "don't blink" mentality that transformed a potential blowout into a historic HBCU National Championship.
The Celebration Bowl Miracle
Let’s talk about that fourth overtime. It’s basically a shootout at that point. No more full drives, just two-point conversion attempts from the three-yard line. Ryan Stubblefield—who didn't even start the game—dropped back and found Jordan Smith.
Smith was a monster all day. He had already racked up 152 yards and three touchdowns, but that final catch was the one that mattered. He snagged the ball, the refs signaled good, and the MEAC officially took the crown back. There was some drama, though. If you look at the replays, the ball looked kinda short of the goal line.
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Prairie View fans are still fuming about it on Twitter. But the call stood.
2025 South Carolina State Football Score Recap
The Bulldogs finished the year at 10-3. That is a massive statement. When you look at the South Carolina State football score progression throughout the season, you see a team that learned how to win the "ugly" games.
- The Early Slump: They took some lumps early against FBS competition. Losing 63-14 to South Florida was rough.
- The Turning Point: After a narrow loss to Charleston Southern in late September, they didn't lose again.
- The Streak: Eight straight wins.
- The Rivalry: Taking down North Carolina Central 34-27 in mid-November was basically the "real" MEAC championship.
Why Chennis Berry is the Real Deal
Most people expected a drop-off after Buddy Pough retired. He was a legend. But Chennis Berry has come in and basically poured gasoline on the program. He’s now 10-0 in MEAC conference play over his first two seasons.
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Think about that. Unbeaten in the league for two straight years.
He’s got this team playing with a discipline that was frankly missing in the late 2010s. They finished the 2025 season ranked No. 21 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25. It’s the highest they've been in years. They even got the school flag raised over the State House in Columbia, which is a huge deal in South Carolina.
Looking Toward 2026
So, what's next? The 2026 schedule is already circulating, and the expectations are through the roof. Most of the core from the Celebration Bowl win is coming back, though they'll need to see if Stubblefield can maintain that "clutch" gene over a full season as the undisputed starter.
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The defense, led by coordinator Jordan Odaffer, was the unsung hero of the 10-win campaign. They held Howard to 12 points and Savannah State to just 6. If they keep that level of intensity, a three-peat in the MEAC isn't just a dream—it's the expectation.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Season Tickets: Get them early for Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. Homecoming (usually October) sells out fast now that the Bulldogs are a national brand again.
- Watch the Portal: Keep an eye on the transfer portal this spring. Berry has been aggressive in bringing in talent to fill gaps in the offensive line.
- Rankings Matter: Check the FCS Coaches Poll every Monday starting in August. SC State is no longer an underdog; they'll have a target on their backs from week one.
The Bulldogs aren't just a local story anymore. They are the standard for HBCU football right now. Whether you're a lifelong alum or just someone who caught that wild four-overtime thriller, the South Carolina State football score is going to be a frequent topic of conversation in the FCS landscape for a long time.