DOVER, Del. – The Bowie State University football team erased a 19-0 first quarter deficit and outscored Delaware State University 14-6 in the third quarter but the Bulldogs comeback came up eight points shy in a 32-24 decision Saturday night.
The loss puts Bowie State at 0-1 to start the 2021 season while Delaware State improves to 1-0 overall.
On offense, senior quarterback Ja'rome Johnson (Washington, D.C.) went 14-of-29 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns. All three of his touchdown passes were to three different teammates in redshirt freshman and running back Corey Johnson (Bennsville, MD), redshirt sophomore and wide receiver Kwincy Hall (Washington, D.C.) and graduate senior and receiver Victor Olayinka (Glenarden, MD). Johnson threw two of his touchdowns in the third quarter.
Defensively, redshirt sophomore Jonathan Ross (Waldorf, MD) led the way with 10 tackles, including a two tackle for loss, two forced fumbles and a sack. Redshirt junior Joshua Pryor (Baltimore, MD) finished with nine tackles and two tackle for loss.
Delaware State jumped out to a 19-0 lead after a couple of turnovers by the Bulldogs. Bowie State then got on the scoreboard in the second stanza thanks to a 36-yard field goal from redshirt freshman and punter Alen Omerhodzic (Bowie, MD) at the 3:13 mark.
However, just before the half another turnover from BSU resulted in a pick six for the Hornets, stretching their lead 26-3 at the break.
The Bulldogs came out of the locker room with a big third quarter highlighted by 22-yard reception TD for Johnson and a 23-yard scoring score for Hall which pulled BSU within 11 (26-15) at the 9:25 mark.
DSU scored their final touchdown of the night on an eight play drive worth 70-yards to go ahead 32-15 but the Bulldogs would not relinquish when an extra point attempt from DSU was scooped up by junior defensive back Demetri Morsell (Upper Marlboro, MD) for a 98-yard scamper.
Although BSU scored the game's final touchdown in the fourth, the Bulldogs comeback would run out of time.
Bowie State will host Saginaw Valley for their home opener next Saturday, Sept. 11. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. from Bulldog Stadium.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State University Athletics and its 13 varsity sports teams, please visit www.bsubulldogs.com.
