The South Carolina State Bulldogs football team represents South Carolina State University in college football. The Bulldogs play in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).
A historically dominant football program, the Bulldogs lead the MEAC in conference championships. The school has produced four players enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame including Harry Carson, Deacon Jones, Marion Motley, and Donnie Shell. Other legendary Bulldog players include Robert Porcher, Shaquille Leonard, Barney Chavous, Charlie Brown and Orlando Brown Sr., Javon Hargrave, Decobie Durant, among others.
Former SC State coach Willie Jeffries became the first African American head coach of a predominantly white Division I-A football program, when he was hired to coach the Wichita State football program in 1979. Jeffries is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Contents
History
List of South Carolina State Bulldogs football seasons
Classifications
1956–1972: NCAA College Division
1967–1969: NAIA
1970–1978: NAIA Division I
1973–1977: NCAA Division II
1978–present: NCAA Division I–AA/FCS
Conference memberships
1907–1928: Independent
1929–1934: Southeastern Athletic Conference
1935–1970: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
1971–present: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Championships
National championships
The Bulldogs have been awarded a NCAA-recognized black college football national championship seven times in program history.
Conference championships
South Carolina State has won twenty Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles, twelve outright and eight shared. Asterisk denotes shared title.
Division I-AA/FCS Playoffs results
The Bulldogs have appeared in the I-AA/FCS playoffs six times with a record of 2–6.
Bowl game results
The Bulldogs have appeared in 16 bowl games, with a record of 8–8.
Alumni in the NFL
Over 40 South Carolina State alumni have played in the NFL, including:
Rivalries
SC State has maintained heated rivalries with the North Carolina A&T Aggies, Florida A&M Rattlers, and Bethune-Cookman Wildcats.
NCAA Record
On November 19, 2016, Joe Thomas Sr., father of Green Bay Packers linebacker Joe Thomas, became the oldest player to play in an NCAA Division I game. At 55 years of age, Thomas Sr. had one carry for three yards as a running back in a contest versus Savannah State.
Future non-conference opponents
Announced schedules as of August 11, 2026