ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The Wofford College football team opened the season with a 28-13 loss to South Carolina State on Saturday night at Dawson Stadium. The Terriers could not overcome four interceptions as the Bulldogs scored on their opening drive and never trailed in the contest.
 
Wofford is 0-1 and South Carolina State is 1-0. The Terriers were led by Joe Newman with 57 rushing yards and 114 passing yards. Bulldogs quarterback Tyrece Nick threw for 201 yards and a touchdown.
 
"My hat is off to South Carolina State as they did a great job of executing what they wanted to execute and manhandled us up front," said Wofford head coach Josh Conklin. "Our offensive line did not do a good job up front and you can't overcome turning the ball over like we did and that falls on my shoulders. We have two weeks to look at what we can do. We will solve the problem and get it fixed. I am not going to push the panic button after one game. I am not happy giving up 28 points, but the defensive overcame a lot of bad situations. We learned a lot about our team after tonight's game."
 
The Bulldogs had the ball to open the game and used a 37-yard reception to move across midfield and a 11-yard touchdown pass from Tyrece Nick to Demontrez Burroughs for a 7-0 lead at the 11:59 mark of the first quarter. On the first possession for the Terriers, a 29-yard catch by T.J. Luther moved the ball inside the 20-yard line. Joe Newman was sacked on third down and a 38-yard field goal attempt by Luke Carter was wide left with 8:02 in the first quarter.
 
On the next possession by S.C. State they went three-and-out and punted. The Terriers punted on their next drive, but a roughing the kicker call resulted in a first down. Two more first downs and a first down on a roughing the passer call moved the ball inside the 15-yard line. With 55 seconds left in the first quarter Luke Carter his a 31-yard field goal for a 7-3 score. After a three-and-out by the Bulldogs, the Terriers gained two first downs before having to punt.
 
After a first down, a 48-yard completion by Tyrece Nick to Demontrez Burroughs gave the Bulldogs a first down inside the five-yard line. A one-yard touchdown run by Tyrece Nick gave S.C. State a 14-3 lead at the 7:04 mark of the second quarter. Wofford punted on a three-and-out, with a fumble on the return that was recovered by the Bulldogs. A three-and-out by the Bulldogs, Nathan Walker and Dorian Lindsey had first downs. Miller Mosley had a run for a first down and then Mosley was picked off by B.J. Davis at midfield. A 39-yard pass was completed by Tyrece Nick to a wide-open Demontrez Burroughs to the five-yard line, but a penalty pushed the Bulldogs back to the 27-yard line. George Gbesee then picked off Tyrece Nick in the endzone with 27 seconds left in the first half. Wofford ran one play before the half ended.
 
To open the second half, Wofford went three-and-out and punted. The Bulldogs had one first down before punting back to the Terriers. Joe Newman was intercepted by Decobie Durant and the Bulldogs took over at the 32-yard line. After a first down, the Bulldogs had a pass incomplete in the endzone on third down however a pass interference call gave them a first down at the two. Datron James ran it in for the touchdown and a 21-3 lead at 7:03 in the third quarter. Wofford gained four first downs on their next possession and drove inside the ten before settling for a 29-yard field goal by Luke Carter for a 21-6 score with 38 seconds left in the third quarter.
 
The Bulldogs had a three-and-out to begin the fourth quarter. After a first down run by Joe Newman, he was picked off by Johnell Brown at the 45-yard line. The Bulldogs had one first down and then missed a 41-yard field goal attempt wide left. Wofford had one first down and then Joe Newman was intercepted by Jaylen Evans and the Bulldogs took over at the 34-yard line. A first down was followed by a first down on a pass interference call in the endzone. Labron Morris capped the drive with a two-yard touchdown run for a 28-6 lead with 6:41 remaining in the game. Wofford went three-and-out and punted on their next drive, while the Bulldogs also went three-and-out and punted. The Terriers moved the ball down field and ended a drive with an eight-yard touchdown run by Irvin Mulligan for a 28-13 score with 1:29 remaining in the game. The Bulldogs ran out the clock to end the contest.
 
Wofford had 306 total yards, with 129 rushing yards. S.C. State had 276 total yards, 201 of which were passing. Wofford had 20 first downs, while S.C. State had 13. Wofford was 7-of-15 on third downs and S.C. State was 3-of-10 on third down. S.C. State was called for seven penalties to six for Wofford. Wofford had a 30:10 to 23:15 time of possession advantage.
 
Wofford vs. South Carolina State Post-Game Notes
In a series that dates to 1974, Wofford has a 6-3 lead.
 
With the loss, Wofford is 51-59-1 all-time in season openers. In the last nine seasons, the Terriers are 5-4 in openers.
 
George Gbesee had his seventh career interception in the second quarter.
 
Irvin Mulligan scored his first career touchdown in the fourth quarter.
 
Game captains were Joe Newman and Jireh Wilson.  
 
Attendance was   at Dawson Stadium.  
 
The Terriers will have an off week before the home opener on Saturday, September 14 against Samford at Gibbs Stadium.