Watson throws 3 TDs, Shaw rushes for 3 TDs as South Carolina State dismantles Savannah State 87-0

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) — Keely Watson threw three touchdown passes, and Josh Shaw ran for three scores as South Carolina State shut out Savannah State 87-0 on Saturday in a season opener for both teams.

Watson completed 8 of his 12 passes for 95 yards, while Shaw carried nine times for 74 yards. The Bulldogs, who won the HBCU National Championship last season and are ranked No. 24 in FCS, rushed for 423 yards and seven touchdowns on 46 carries.

Watson opened the scoring with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Malaqhi Jones and later connected with Mason Pickett-Hicks from 9 yards out. Ronnie Robinson added a 30-yard touchdown run as South Carolina State took a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.

The Bulldogs added 31 points in the second quarter for a 52-0 halftime advantage. Watson threw his third touchdown to Tyler Smith before Zaivan Offord took over and added a touchdown of his own.

Shaw scored on runs of 5, 4 and 10 yards. Pickett-Hicks rushed for 95 yards on nine carries, and Ricorian Brown added 75 yards on seven attempts.

Savannah State, a Division II program, finished with 75 rushing yards and 42 passing yards. Christian Burks completed 5 of 14 passes for 34 yards with an interception. ___

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