BOWIE, Md. – Bowie State football will hit the road for the final time in the regular season as they travel to Elizabeth City State for a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Northern Division contest on Saturday, Oct. 29. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. at Roebuck Stadium.
When: Saturday, Oct. 29 – 1 p.m.
Where: Roebuck Stadium – Elizabeth City, N.C.
Watch: CIAA Sports Network
Live Stats: BSUBulldogs.com
Follow on Twitter: @BSU_Sports_Info, @bowiestatebulldogs on Instagram
THE SERIES
Saturday's game marks the 39th meeting between the two teams. Bowie State owns a 22-16 all-time record against Elizabeth City State dating back to 1978. The Bulldogs are 11-7 against the Vikings on the road and 11-9 at home. BSU won the last matchup against ECSU, 79-6 on Nov. 6, 2021 in Bulldog Stadium. The last 10 matchups between the two teams have resulted in an 8-2 record in favor of Bowie State. The Bulldogs longest win-streak against Elizabeth City State is eight-straight (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021). The last time the Vikings earned a win over BSU was on Nov. 3, 2012 with a 14- 13 edge in Bowie, Md.
LAST TIMEOUT FOR BOWIE STATE
Bowie State (4-4, 3-4 CIAA, 1-2 North) fell to Chowan last weekend, snapping a three game winning streak against the Hawks. The loss was the first back-to-back losses for Bowie State since 2013. Bowie State got outscored 8-6 in the fourth quarter after leading 15-13 with 6:19 left. Chowan outgained the Bulldogs 437-329 in total offense as the Bulldogs went 0-2 in extra points and just 1-of-3 in field goal opportunities.
Graduate senior Dion Golatt, Jr. (Largo, MD) finished with 226 yards on 20-of-40 passes but was sacked three times while redshirt junior Larry Williams (Baltimore, MD) registered two TDs on seven carries and 25 yards. He threw for 11-yards on 1-of-2 pass completions as the backup QB.
On the ground, redshirt sophomore Corey Johnson (Upper Marlboro, MD) had eight carries for 68 yards with his longest rush for 54-yards in the fourth quarter. Redshirt junior Kwincy Hall (Washington, D.C.) finished with seven catches for 114 yards to round out the offense for Bowie State. Defensively, redshirt sophomore Kennypride Toh (Silver Springs, MD) and graduate senior Ellison Jordan (Upper Marlboro, MD) both contributed seven tackles apiece and combined for 3.5 tackle for losses worth eight yards. Jordan also recorded a sack – his sixth of the season.
BULLDOGS DEFENSE
After going from one of the most dominant defenses in the nation in 2021, the Bulldogs may not lead the nation in defensive TDs this season but they're still ranked in the nation. BSU dropped from 10th to 29th in total defense (288.8 yards per game). Bowie State is 23rd in Division II in third down conversion percentage (.457) and moved up to fifth in DII for fourth down conversion percentage defense (.143).
THE SACK MOB
Graduate senior Ellison Jordan (Upper Marlboro, MD) leads Bowie State in total sacks with 8.0 (50 yards) on the year. He ranks 3rd in the CIAA while redshirt junior Uvel Paul, Jr. (Severn, MD) is fifth in the CIAA for total sacks with 6.5 total on the year, which is second best on the Bulldogs squad.
ATTACK THROUGH THE AIR
Bowie State leads the CIAA with 3,381 yards through the air with 187 pass completions on 306 attempts. BSU ranks 28th in DII for total offense (422.6 ypg) and 27 offensive TDs. Golatt, Jr. has been the number one quarterback for Bowie State this season. He has 2,155 passing yards which ranks 12th in DII with 13 TDs on 175 completions. He leads the CIAA in passing yardage, passing TDs and third in passing efficiency (139.2).
THE RECEIVING UNIT
The Bulldogs receiving unit has been led by redshirt junior Keshane Hinckley (Laurel, MD) who has 46 receptions (1st in CIAA) for 547 yards (2nd in CIAA) and three touchdowns – he is second amongst the CIAA with a 5.8 average per game receptions. Hall is right behind Hinckley with 453 receiving yards on 39 catches and three TDs as well. Hall ranks third in the league for receptions and receptions per outing, fourth in the CIAA for total yards and fifth in averages per game (56.6).
THE RUN GAME
The Bulldogs led the CIAA in the run game last season but in 2022, Bowie State has struggled to find rhythm with four different backs seeing at least seven games of action. Redshirt sophomore Sam Doku (Silver Spring, MD) has 94 rushes for 377 yards and four TDs this season - all team-highs. His longest rush was for 33-yards while averaging 47.13 per outing. He is 10th in the league overall in average per game. In regards to yards (9th), carries (5th) and TDs scored (7th) he is top-10. Johnson is the backup offensive back with 290 yards on 68 carries. He has scored a touchdown with his longest rush being 70-yards
The CIAA NORTHERN DIVISION
#10 Virginia Union is currently in first place in the Northern Division with a 3-0 mark while Chowan (3-0) holds second place. Both teams will meet this weekend for a battle at the division title. Bowie State, Virginia State and Elizabeth City State all have a 1-2 record in the North.
The POLLS
Bowie State has been unranked nationally since Week 3's loss to Shaw (17-13) within the American Football Coaches Association Poll (AFCA) Division II – the Bulldogs recently fell out of the BOXTOROW Media Poll with the loss to Virginia Union but dropped to No. 10 on the HBCU DII Coaches Poll powered by BOXTOROW this week.
ABOUT ELIZABETH CITY STATE
ECSU fell to Virginia State, 34-12 at home. The Vikings trailed 20-6 at halftime before being outscored 14-6 in the second half. ECSU tallied 218 yards of total offense, including 149 on the ground but VSU tacked on 455 yards of total offense. Chase Williams threw for 33-yards on five completions and an interception. Two Vikings scored a TD but Darian King led the rushing unit with 12 carries for 59-yards. Teonne Porter registered 13 tackles while Traveon Freshwater collected 12 tackles.
The Vikings rank 11th in scoring (12.1) and 11th in defense, allowing 34.3 points per game. ECSU ranks 10th in most team categories amongst the CIAA. A notable top-10 ranking for the Vikings includes Zion Riddick (7th) who averages 21.3 yards in kick returns.
UP NEXT
Bowie State will host Lincoln (PA) for its regular season finale on Saturday, Nov. 5 and senior day. Game time is set 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.
