BOWIE, Md. – Bowie State University football will stay on the road this weekend as the No. 20 Bulldogs travel to Durham, N.C. to face the Bears of Shaw University on Saturday, Sept. 17 for its Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) opener at Durham County Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
When: Saturday, Sept. 17 – 1 p.m.
Where: Durham County Memorial Stadium – Durham, N.C. (located at 750 Stadium Dr, Durham, NC 27704)
Watch: BSUBulldogs.com
Live Stats: Not Available
Follow on Twitter: @BSU_Sports_Info
Tickets
Game tickets and parking information is available here.
The Series
No. 20 Bowie State and Shaw will meet for the 13th time in program history. The Bulldogs hold the all-time series record 7-5 overall, 6-5 against Shaw in conference play, 3-3 at home and 3-2 against the Bears on the road.
The Bulldogs have won the last four meetings against the Bears, including last time out 26-21 on Sept. 14, 2019 in Raleigh, N.C. BSU's biggest win against Shaw came on Sept. 23, 2017 where the Bulldogs toppled the Bears, 76-7 - giving Shaw its worst loss in program history.
Last Timeout
The No. 20 Bulldogs are coming off a 40-12 setback to No. 23 Saginaw Valley State on Sept. 10. Bowie State trailed 14-0 after the first quarter and never got anything going offensively, giving up 24 points in the second half. Dion Golatt, Jr. (Largo, MD) finished 28-of-44 in pass completions for 313 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. The Bulldogs rushing unit was limited to just 47-yards with redshirt sophomore Sam Doku (Silver Spring, MD) contributing 23 of those rushing yards on nine carries. Redshirt junior Keshane Hinckley (Laurel, MD) had eight catches for 84 yards.
The Bulldogs combined for 360 yards, featuring 313 through the air while SVSU produced 417 yards of total offense, which 323 of those yards were on the ground. Redshirt senior Joshua Pryor (Baltimore, MD) finished with a team-high nine tackles to lead the Bulldogs defense while junior Corey Shell (Baltimore, MD) and redshirt junior Shaun Tolbert (Baltimore, MD) both recoded seven tackles apiece.
The Bulldog Leaders
Bowie State averages 19.50 points per game after two games played this season while their opponents post 30.00 points. Golatt has completed 45 passes for 579 yards, five TDs and an interception which all rank atop in the CIAA thus far. Doku who is currently eighth in the CIAA with 17 carries for 76 yards and TD has led the rushing unit for BSU through two games.
Hinckley who has 190 yards and 15 receptions to go along with a TD leads the receiving unit - he ranks third amongst the league averaging 95.0 yards per catch. Defensively, Pryor is 10th overall with 13 tackles, followed by junior Shaun Tolbert (Baltimore, MD) (11), junior Corey Shell (Baltimore, MD) (10) and redshirt sophomore Keith Williams (Baltimore, MD) (10).
The Polls
Bowie State dropped in all polls this week after the loss to Saginaw Valley State. The Bulldogs dropped to No. 20 in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) DII Coaches Poll, previously at No. 9. The D2Football.com Top-25 Poll ranked BSU No. 24 (previously No. 11) this week while the HBCU DII Coaches Poll had the Bulldogs at No. 3 (previously No. 1). In the HBCU Media Poll, Bowie State remained at No. 4.
Shaw Bears
Shaw is 0-2 to start the 2022 season. The Bears suffered a 30-22 loss to Wayne State last time out in Michigan. As a team, SU averages 357 yards (123 rushing and 234 passing). The Bears average 14.5 points per game while their defense has allowed its opponents to put up 347.5 total offense (186.5 rushing and 161 passing) for 25.5 points per outing.
Against Wayne State, the Bears produced 410 yards of total offense (250 through the air, 160 on the ground) but Shaw could not overcome the first half deficit (13-0). SU tacked on a touchdown in the third and another in the fourth along with a two-point conversion. Christian Peters has been the playmaker for the Bears, connecting 25-of-50 passes for 466 yards and two touchdowns. Sidney Gibbs has 28 carries for 150 yards and a TD while Ah'shaan Belcher is the team's receiver leader with eight catches for 221 yards and TD. Defensively, Akeythio Carson has team-best 14 tackles (7 tkl/g), 2.5 tackle for losses and a forced fumble.
Head coach Adrian Jones is 0-3 against Bowie State at the helm of the Bears program.
Up Next
The Bulldogs travel to St. Augustine's on Saturday, Sept. 24 for CIAA action at the George Williams Complex in Raleigh, N.C. Kickoff will be at 1 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State University Athletics and its 13 varsity sports teams, please visit www.bsubulldogs.com.
