QB1 Unknown, Expectations Sky-High: South Carolina State Opens 2026

South Carolina State opens its 2026 season at home at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium at 6 p.m., where it will take on Savannah State University. The game is slated to air on ESPN+ as the Bulldogs begin their third season under head coach Chennis Berry.

Storylines to Watch

Great Expectations

The Bulldogs enter this season under Coach Berry with a 19-6 overall record and a superb, undefeated 10-0 conference mark. They have won back-to-back MEAC titles on the road and made consecutive HBCU National Championship appearances, winning one of them.

South Carolina State has always been considered a blue-blood program in HBCU football, but the hot start Berry has engineered has elevated an already championship-caliber program into another stratosphere. Success is no longer a goal for the Bulldogs, it’s a byproduct. In fact, many believe South Carolina State has the potential to finish the season undefeated.

Who Will Be QB1?

That’s the burning question fans are waiting to have answered.

Bulldog offensive coordinator K.J. Black certainly has his work cut out for him in his first season with the program. He has two transfer quarterbacks battling for the starting job, both of whom were the unquestioned starters at their previous schools.

Tre Robinson, a transfer from UNC Pembroke, was recognized as a top-10 quarterback at the Division II level a year ago. Often praised for his athleticism and playmaking ability with his legs, Robinson led the Braves to their best season in a decade with an 8-2 record and a championship game appearance. He threw for 2,437 yards and 25 touchdowns while adding nine more scores on the ground. He was also the team’s leading rusher.

Then there’s Keely Watson, a graduate transfer from St. Thomas University. A three-time All-Conference selection and three-year starter at the NAIA level, Watson finished his career with more than 8,000 passing yards, 86 touchdowns and a 25-9 record. He also served as a two-time team captain.

These are two quarterbacks with very different styles of play, each bringing strengths the other can’t fully replicate. It will be interesting to see who leads the offense onto the field for the opening drive against the Tigers. Will the competition continue into the season opener, or will this be a repeat of last season, when both quarterbacks rotated before the coaching staff ultimately rode the hot hand?

Thomas Howard Returns to Orangeburg

Savannah State first-year head coach Thomas Howard returns to Orangeburg for the first time since his departure from the Buddy Pough coaching staff.

With a roster overhaul that includes more than 30 new players and an opportunity to make a statement in his first game as a head coach, Howard faces a unique challenge in a place he knows well. The question becomes: How successful can he be in his return?

Key Matchups

Tiger Secondary vs. Bulldog Receivers

The Bulldogs lost a significant amount of experience from their receiver room last season. The question isn’t talent, South Carolina State has plenty of that at the position. The question is how quickly the younger receivers can adjust to becoming the featured targets.

Malik Brightwell and Zai Offord immediately come to mind. Both possess elite speed and tremendous upside, but neither has accumulated extensive game experience. The one proven commodity in the room is Darius Thompson, who saw considerable playing time last season, most notably against Savannah State during Homecoming, despite not being a starter.

Rodney Hill vs. Bulldog Defensive Line

The Bulldogs return what may be one of the deepest and most talented defensive line units in the nation.

Led by redshirt sophomore Kavon Chisholm and bolstered by several impactful transfers, the unit will look to begin the season with a dominant performance against Savannah State running back Rodney Hill.

Hill was once considered one of the nation’s top running backs before signing with SEC program Arkansas. His career with the Razorbacks never developed the way either side envisioned, but this new opportunity presents a chance for a fresh start. Hill will undoubtedly be looking to make a statement against the defending national champions.

Players to Watch

South Carolina State

• Josh Shaw (RB)

• Jordan Franklin (LB)

• Jordan Dollard (DL)

Savannah State

• Rodney Hill (RB)

• Cinsere Clark (WR)

• E’mari Napper (DB)

Keys to Victory

South Carolina State

• Establish the run

• Eliminate mistakes

• Start fast on offense

Savannah State

• Keep the game close

• Get Rodney Hill involved early

• Create explosive plays

Prediction

The Bulldogs have dominated this series in recent years, holding a 6-1 record against the Tigers. That includes last season’s Homecoming matchup, when South Carolina State cruised to a 49-6 victory.

With a new head coach and more than 30 incoming transfers, chemistry could be a concern for Savannah State. South Carolina State has also brought in transfers, but the Bulldogs possess a much stronger foundation thanks to coaching continuity and key returning talent.

This game may be a bit competitive early, but I expect the Bulldogs to find their rhythm quickly and pull away. Playing at home under the lights in Orangeburg provides a significant advantage, as the atmosphere at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium can overwhelm visiting teams.

Score Prediction: South Carolina State 42, Savannah State 7