Dr. John Eason, the director of operations at the University of Georgia and this week’s guest speaker, gave the Orangeburg Touchdown Club audience an idea of how the Bulldogs approach football Thursday. From their technological advances to recruiting, Eason discussed how these factors help bring in some of football’s top talent.

“The thing that you must realize is that you’ve got to invest,” he said. “You must invest in order to gain a return. If you wonder why people are building these football palaces and all these things, it’s the players.”

Eason went on to talk about how the university takes care of their players with academic enrichment centers and character education.

“They will listen to you,” Eason said about players when it comes to character education. “You’ve just got to have a message for them that will point them in the right direction.”

Prior to Eason’s message, S.C. State head coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough delivered his report on the Bulldogs. S.C. State moved into the top 10 of the Football Championship Series (Division I-AA) poll for the first time this season with a 35-20 victory over MEAC rival Florida A&M. This week, Pough and the Bulldogs will travel to Hampton on Saturday hoping to come away with another win.

“They’re up and down,” Pough said about the Pirates football team this season. “They’re down one week. Then, they’re up. The bad thing about it is this is their week to win. They’ve got Homecoming and all kinds of things going on. That kind of worries me a little bit.”

Woodland’s Nagui Wright was selected as this week’s Offensive Player of the Week. The Wolverines’ running back rushed for 140 yards and four touchdowns in their 40-14 win over Bishop England. Bethune-Bowman’s Trevelle Stephens was named this week’s Defensive Player of the Week. In their 12-6 loss to St. John’s, the Mohawks defensive lineman tallied nine tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

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