There had to be plenty of emotion swirling for South Carolina State before Saturday night’s MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Atlanta. Earlier this week, legendary head coach Buddy Pough announced that this season would be his last as he plans on retiring at the end of the 2023. One of the greatest coaching runs in the sport’s history is gearing up for its final ride... that was surely on the minds of everyone in the SC State locker room.
That’s why it caught some off guard when it was Jackson State that got off to a hot start. After the defense forced a three and out on their opening series, JSU running back Irv Mulligan broke free for a 46-yard touchdown run to give the Tigers a quick 7-0 advantage.