SC State Football Ready To Rally

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (SCSU SID) — Despite having 10 days remaining before its 2012 season opener Aug. 30, South Carolina State essentially put a wrap on its preseason camp Monday with the last of two-a-day practices. The Bulldogs worked out Monday at 6:50 a.m. and returned to the field in the evening for a 7:30 drill. Both were in shells. “We still have 9-10 days before we play our first game, but we essentially wrapped up our preseason camp today (Monday),” said SC State head coach Buddy Pough. “We had a good solid camp and now must put the finishing touch on our preparations. “Both (Monday) practices went rather well. We had two decent workouts,” Pough said. “We got plenty done and it‘s great when you can get in two good two solid practices, especially near the end as we are. Now we just have to become more polished, more consistent in our execution.” Tuesday is the first day of classes at SC State so the Bulldogs will not practice, however, they will attend the annual “Rally on the Square,” a yearly pep rally sponsored by the City of Orangeburg and the Chamber of Commerce to kick off the football season. The event, which will feature appearances by the SC State Marching 101 band and cheerleaders, as well as teams and cheerleaders from area high schools, begins at 6:30 p.m. on the square in downtown Orangeburg. It‘s open to the public. On Wednesday, SC State returns to the field and will begin its in-season practice schedule. Wednesday‘s workout will begin at 3:40 p.m. On Thursday, the team will conduct its final scrimmage at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs will kick off their 2012 campaign Thursday, Aug. 30, at 7:30 p.m. against Georgia State in the Georgia Dome. Plenty good seats remain for the contest. Interested persons may call the SC State Ticket Office at 803-536-8579 or toll free at 800-298-9157. Pough‘s team will open its home schedule Saturday, Sept. 8, against Bethune-Cookman at 6 p.m. in the annual Hall of Fame Game. Nine individuals and two teams will be inducted into the SC State Athletic Hall of Fame the previous evening (Sept. 7) at 7 p.m. at S-H-M Memorial Center.