While the Homecoming celebration is overrunning the South Carolina State campus in Orangeburg, South Carolina, the football team travelled to Columbia to prepare for Saturday's game against Norfolk State.

The South Carolina State football coaching staff was gracious enough to allow me unprecedented access to live blog and videotape the team's activities from Friday afternoon through Saturday's game (scroll down for the video):

Friday, October 10, 2008

5:00 p.m.
The football team, cheerleaders, band, and fans gather at South Carolina State's stadium for a short pep rally. You get a small taste of what the atmosphere will be like tomorrow afternoon, as the parking lot and grass fields around the stadium begin to fill out with tailgaters.

5:30 p.m.
With the pep rally winding down, the football team heads out of the stadium for the two buses that will take them on the 40-mile trip to the state capital of Columbia. The offense and defensive squads are each on their own bus.

5:35 p.m.
We're on the way out of town. I'm on the defensive team's bus, and everybody seems loose and relaxed. From my first impression, it appears that this is a confident football team.

6:30 p.m.
We arrive at the hotel in Columbia, and immediately go into the ballroom for a buffet dinner. The student-athletes go through the food line by seniority. There's plenty of food for everyone - a salad bar, chicken parmigiana, prime rib, mashed potatoes, broccoli with cheese, chocolate cake and Powerade.

7:15 p.m.
The offensive and defensive units break off into separate ballrooms, and each coach goes through the gameplan. Mike Adams, the defensive coordinator, is thorough - he goes through each of Norfolk State's key offensive student-athletes, formations and plays on video. He also refreshes his squad about each of its own defensive sets.

You might be asking why I decided to go with the defensive team. I was advised by some of the student-athletes that it would an entertaining session. And let me tell you, this session lived up to the hype. It was not only entertaining, but I learned a lot about football strategy. I'm convinced this defensive squad is well prepared to play tomorrow.

8:25 p.m.
Defensive captain Terrance Allen addresses his fellow defense teammates. Allen explains what it means to be a Bulldog and how important this game is for everybody, especially considering the double overtime loss last year at Norfolk State. Allen's speech ends and the defensive team huddles together.

8:35 p.m.
Minister RV Brown, a former South Carolina State football student-athlete, shares some inspirational words with the team.

9:10 p.m.
The captains' video is shown on the television screen. According to many of the student-athletes, this is the highlight of the evening. Video clips from the team's top plays are arranged with background music, and the team sings along. Everybody strives to get their play on the captains' video each week.

9:20 p.m.
The video is over, and the student-athletes are on their own for the next few minutes. Several of the student-athletes go to one of the ballrooms, which has been transformed into a training room.

9:30 p.m.
I'm chatting with some of the student-athletes in the training room, and I can't believe what I'm seeing - about 30 pizzas are being delivered. Seriously, guys? We just ate a feast exactly three hours ago! I'm told that it's two people per pizza. I'll tell you one thing, these guys can sure put away some food.

9:45 p.m.
Most of the student-athletes are heading to their hotel rooms. Time to get a good night rest before a big Homecoming game tomorrow afternoon. We'll chat with you again tomorrow morning.

Here is a video from the evening's activities: