Mason Pickett-Hicks rushes for 210 yards and 2 TDs to lead South Carolina State by Florida A&M 31-13

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Mason Pickett-Hicks rushed for 210 yards and two touchdowns to lead South Carolina State past Florida A&M 31-13 on Sunday in the Orange Blossom Classic.

Two plays after the game resumed following a lightning delay in the first quarter, Pickett-Hicks went untouched through the line and raced for a 58-yard touchdown. Pickett-Hicks added a 32-yard touchdown early in the third for a 28-6 lead.

SC State outgained FAMU 479-161, including 292 yards on the ground.

Pickett-Hicks, who carried it just 17 times for a 12.4 average, recorded SC State's first 200-yard rushing game since Jawarn Howell's 283 against Howard in 2023.

Keely Watson was 10-of-17 passing for 168 yards with two interceptions for SC State (2-0), which is ranked No. 21 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 poll.

Isaiah Knowles and Dustin Fletcher combined to complete 13 of 30 passes for 162 yards for Florida A&M (1-1).

Up next

SC State: Returns home to play Virginia State next Saturday.

FAMU: Plays at No. 7 Miami on Thursday.

___

Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here. Visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full college football coverage here.