With the football team having done its part to earn a second consecutive NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoff appearance, South Carolina State University officials now look to bring the opening round game to the city of Orangeburg.

S.C. State Athletics Director Charlene Johnson confirmed Tuesday the school has again submitted a bid to play the first-round and, if necessary, the quarterfinal matchups at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.

“It would mean a lot to the university, for the (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference), for the city of Orangeburg to have a playoff game here,” she said. “It puts the spot on the university because it’s post-season play.”

Should the selection committee award the Bulldogs a first-round home game, the school would have to pay a $30,000 guaranteed fee from the first round and $40,000 for the quarterfinals. A semifinal matchup would cost $50,000, with the guaranteed fees coming out of the gross ticket sale receipts along with 75 percent of the gate minus the school’s budgeted and unbudgeted expenses. When determining host sites for playoff games when both teams are not among the Top 4 seeds, the committee decides the location based on quality of facility, revenue potential plus estimated net receipts, attendance history and potential, team’s performance (e.g., conference place finish, head-to-head results and number of Division I opponents), student-athlete well-being (travel, missed class time, etc.), and previous crowd-control measures and crowd behavior of the prospective host institution.

The Bulldogs are enjoying a record-setting season attendance wise, ranking fifth nationally among FCS schools. Johnson believes increased attendance, as well as the team’s high standing in the FCS schools (S.C. State is ranked seventh in this week’s Sports Network and FCS Coaches polls) puts the school in a more favorable position to receive a home game.

S.C. State (9-1, 7-0) can further enhance its credentials for a home game by closing out the regular-season with a victory at home over North Carolina A&T (5-5, 3-4). The Bulldogs have won a MEAC-record 18 consecutive conference games and are seeking a second straight perfect run through the conference.

“We’re very hopeful in terms of the bid, especially when it relates to increased attendance and of course, how good the team is doing this year,” Johnson said. “We’re very optimistic. We don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t get the opportunity to host.”

A concern among fans was whether the Class A championship games set for noon and 3 p.m. on Nov. 27, a day before the FCS playoff game, would affect S.C. State’s bid. Johnson said she’s addressed the issue with the committee and, after speaking with head football coach Oliver ‘Buddy’ Pough, does not anticipate it being a hindrance.

S.C. High School League Executive Director Jerome Singleton also said he’s received assurance that the Class A playoffs will not be affected by the prospect of an FCS playoff game.

S.C. State will learn of the committee’s decision at 3 p.m. Sunday when the brackets are announced live by ESPNews (Channel 147 on Digital Time Warner Cable, Channel 800 on The Dish Network and Channel 207 on DirecTV). Johnson said the school is finalizing plans to hold a gathering to watch the selection show on campus similar to last year.

Should the Bulldogs receive the home playoff game, Johnson said tickets will go on sale immediately and the prices will remain the same for general admission ($25) and reserved ($30) seats.

T&D Senior Sports Writer Thomas Grant Jr. can be reached by calling (803) 533-5547 or by e-mail at tgrant@timesanddemocrat.com.

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