5 Things To Watch For At The 2023 MEAC/SWAC Challenge

South Carolina State and Jackson State will battle in a rematch of the 2021 Celebration Bowl, and both teams have something to prove.

South Carolina State and Jackson State kick off the college football season in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge tomorrow night. The Bulldogs and Tigers are meeting for the first time since the 2021 Celebration Bowl, where Buddy Pough's squad blew out Deion Sanders and his team 31-10 to become national champions.

There's plenty to watch for between the two programs, from new faces to resurrections to the beginning of a legendary farewell. 

Can Corey Fields Return To Championship Form?

Fields is one of the few players on either team that played in the 2021 Celebration Bowl, where he led the Bulldogs to a national championship. But the signal-caller had a subpar 2022, where he saw a significant drop in production while dealing with a shoulder injury.

He's looking to rebound in 2023, but he'll have to do it without Shaq Davis, who's making plays in the NFL. That said, Fields has a new(ish) offensive coordinator and quarterback coach in Kevin Magouirk. Pough has total faith in his quarterback resurrecting himself as the player who brought a national title to Orangeburg.

Kevin Magouirk Returns To The Bulldog Sidelines

It's been a decade since Magouirk served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at South Carolina State. Still, after a stint in high school, in Australia, and most recently at Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C., he returns to lead the Bulldog offense.

Magouirk was primarily responsible for the success of quarterback Malcolm Long, who set over a dozen single-season and career passing records at South Carolina State. He also led a Methodist offense that produced over 400 yards and 30 points per game on the D-III level. This could be the answer to help Fields reach his former status and even surpass it in his final collegiate season.

Dec 18, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; South Carolina State Bulldogs defensive back Kendall Moultrie (21) loses his helmet while tackling Jackson State Tigers wide receiver Aalah Brown (4) during the second half of the 2021 Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

J.D. Martin As RB1 For Jackson State

Sy'veon Wilkerson was one of several players who left Jackson State for Colorado, and Santee Marshall has completed his eligibility. That leaves Martin, the third running back last season, who'll now be the starter in T.C. Taylor's offense. 

Martin ran for 173 yards and one touchdown on 36 carries last season. There's a strong chance that the Tigers will keep a pass-heavy scheme into 2023, but with a new quarterback and receivers, the running game could be the offensive safety valve early on as the passing game comes along. That means Martin should be a featured player, and Saturday will be the first test of if he can handle it.

Experience vs. Inexperience

This topic is two-fold. The more obvious one is Pough, the elder statesman, is going against Taylor, the first-year head coach. Taylor has spent over 15 years in the coaching ranks, leading potent offenses on different levels. But there is a difference when you're the guy in charge, and growing pains inevitably come with it. 

That won't be a problem for Pough, who's led South Carolina State as long as the MEAC/SWAC Challenge has been in existence. The nuances of head coaching can't be overlooked, from clock management to situational execution on both sides of the ball.

The other aspect is how many new players the Tigers have compared to the Bulldogs. Talent is critical, but team chemistry in football is crucial to success. This isn't to say it can't come as the season progresses, but it's hard for everyone to come together and gel in time for a season opener. It's amplified by the fact that most of the quarterbacks battling to be the starter weren't on the roster last year.

South Carolina State will have some new players, namely at wide receiver and running back, but they have more returners from last year's team. Yes, 2022 was a poor season for the Bulldogs, but knowing your strengths and weaknesses and identifying how to improve them can be more valuable than dealing with unknown commodities early in the season. That's why the possibility of Fields bouncing back isn't far-fetched because Pough and his staff have seen him at his best in 2021, and at his worst last season.

Buddy Pough's Farewell

Pough begins his final season as head coach after a decorated career that spans over two decades. Regardless of where your support lies, Pough's value to the sport transcends rivalries.

For many, Saturday will be the last time they'll see the legendary coach in action barring, an appearance in the Celebration Bowl. It's important to give him his flowers and understand the magnitude of what he's done, from the championships to the number of players he's sent to the NFL.