FINAL STATS

(LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa.)  A promising start gave way to an impressive Bowie State surge as the Lincoln University (3-3) football team fell 51-20 Saturday afternoon at Avon Grove High School in West Grove, Pa.

True freshman Laquan Williams (Philadelphia, Pa.) got his third start under center and had his best performance, going 24 for 44 for 214 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Anthony Wilson (Philadelphia, Pa.) caught two touchdown passes for two of his 3 catches for 74 yards. The ever-versatile Trey Thomas (Canton, Ga.) threw for a score, rushed for 19 yards and caught 11 passes for 78 yards.

Bowie State (4-2, 3-0 CIAA) showcased the CIAA's best rushing attack, entering averaging 200 yards a game. Against Lincoln, they ran for 261 yards and two scores, led by Ramono Flowers (Largo, MD) 102 yards on six carries.
 
Things got off to a quick start for the Lions. On Bowie's first play from scrimmage, a handoff to leading CIAA rusher Rodney Webb (Baltimore, MD, Milford Mill Academy) resulted in a forced fumble by defensive end John Mason. The offensive would capitalize with a 14-yard Williams strike to Matthew Coston (Brooklyn, N.Y.) for one of his 4 catches for 45 yards.

Bowie answered back after an errant snap on a Lincoln punt attempt. Webb took a 15-yard screen pass en route to a diving play towards the end zone to give the Bulldogs a 7-6 lead.  The Lions would regain the lead quickly after a trick play caught Bowie's defense off guard. Thomas connected with fellow wide-out Wilson on a 57-yard touchdown.

Bowie would put a halt to the back and forth with 20 unanswered points. Two touchdown passes from Tyrae Reid, Jr. (Baltimore, MD, Baltimore Polytechnic) to Larry Dixon, Jr. (Baltimore, MD, Dunbar, Morgan State Univ.) and Clifton Budd (Silver Spring, MD, Sherwood) and a one yard run by Reid made it 27-12 heading into the half.

Bowie State got the second half started with a 60-yard rushing touchdown by Budd to add to its lead.

The Bulldogs started their possession deep in Lincoln territory. After driving to the 14, the defense held on three runs and forced a field-goal try for a 37-12 lead.

Williams continued to show poise in the pocket leading Lincoln to a 5-yard pass to Wilson, to pull within 17 points with a score of 37-20 in the fourth.

Bowie State ended any chance of a Lincoln comeback behind Seth Minter's 38-yard kick off return and a 1-yard leaping touchdown by Tariq Jones (Baltimore, MD, Edmondson) to give them the 51-20 edge. 

In terms of team stats, Bowie State outgained Lincoln (Pa.) 412 to 240 in total offensive yards.  Of BSU's 412 yards in total offense, 261 were on the ground.  The Bowie State Bulldogs defense was equally as impressive, holding the Lincoln Lions to a minus 31 yards rushing.

Bowie State was led on defense by juniors Terence Peete, Jr. (Memphis, TN, Northwest) and Kyle Jackson (Baltimore, MD, Edmondson) with seven total tackles each.  Peete also had one tackle for a loss (21 yards) and one interception return for 25 yards.

Next up for Bowie State ... a major Eastern Division clash on the road at Elizabeth City State next Saturday (10/10).  Kickoff time is 1 p.m. in ECSU's Roebuck Stadium.