South Carolina State back working hard

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina State linebacker Joe Thomas sees the 2011 season missing among the championship years of honor displayed at the Bulldogs stadium. He’s used most moments since the team fell short of a fourth straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference crown to make sure the Bulldogs can put 2012 on the list after this fall.

The Bulldogs went 7-4 overall and 6-2 in the league, but defeats to Norfolk State and Florida A&M cost them a championship. Thomas says that hadn’t sat well with the players, who are accustomed to finishing on top in the MEAC.

Thomas says the players worked harder this offseason to correct went wrong last year.

He acknowledges the team came into the 2011 season feeling a bit unbeatable after winning the MEAC from 2008 through 2010.