BOWIE, MD -- The Bowie State football team will return to action on the road this week, looking to bounce back after a loss in their division opener and homecoming game last weekend. The Bulldogs will travel to Richmond, Va., to take on another tough division opponent in Virginia Union Saturday, Oct. 14. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. from Hovey Stadium.
When: Saturday, Oct. 14 at 1:00 p.m. (ET)
Where: Hovey Field - Richmond, VA
Watch: CIAA Sports Network
Live Stats: VUUSports.com
Tickets: Purchase HERE
Follow on Twitter: @BSU_Sports_Info
Follow on Instagram: @BowieStateBulldogs
INSIDE THE SERIES
Saturday's game will mark the 39th meeting between Virginia Union and Bowie State since 1979. The Panthers own the all-time series, 20-17-1 but the Bulldogs have won seven of the last 10 meetings against VUU. The last meeting that occurred between the two teams at Bulldog Stadium featured a heartbreaking 27-24 setback for Bowie State back on Oct. 15, 2022. Since 2009, the Bulldogs own a 8-5 record against Virginia Union and owned the longest win streak (four games) from 2017-2021.
A WIN OVER VIRGINIA UNION WOULD...
• Improve Bowie State's conference record to 3-2.
• Mark the the seventh win in the last 10 matchups against the Panthers.
• First win for head coach Kyle Jackson against Virginia Union.
• Snap Virginia Union's two game win-streak.
• Improve all-time conference record to 18-20-1 overall.
• Improves road matchup at Virginia Union, 8-11-1 all-time.
• Even division record 1-1 for 2023.
RECAPPING LAST TIMEOUT
The Bowie State Bulldogs were handed its first homecoming loss in nine seasons as BSU suffered a 44-16 loss to the hot streaking Virginia State Trojans last weekend, spoiling the Bulldogs homecoming. The loss dipped Bowie State's overall record to 3-3 overall and 2-2 in the CIAA as well as 0-1 start within the Northern Division. The Bulldogs gave up 541 yards of total offense to the Trojans as VSU accounted for 445 yards rushing and a 23-11 ratio in first downs compared to the Bulldogs who registered just 167 yards of total offense (110 passing). Carleton Stewart paced the Bulldogs rushing attack by accumulating 30 yards over the course of the game. Corey Johnson also added 16 yards on the ground while Keshane Hinckley pulled in six catches for 51 yards. Defensively, Jadon Carter added one interception and Shawan Lewis had seven tackles, 1.5 TFL, and one sack in the loss. The Bulldogs won the turnover battle in Saturday's game, forcing two turnovers while avoiding any giveways, with BSU turning those takeaways into three points.Defensively, Bowie State did an decent job limiting the Virginia State passing attack, holding the Trojans to 96 yards through the air. In part because of that stellar defense, Bowie State receivers out-gained their Virginia State counterparts 110-96. The Bulldogs defense disrupted the VSU passing attack on the way to recording two interceptions and breaking up two Trojans passes.
THE JACKSON ERA
The 2023 season will embark the first official season for first-year head coach Kyle Jackson. Jackson was officially named the 10th head football coach in Bulldog history on Jan. 23, 2023. The decision followed Jackson after serving in the role as interim in the 2022 season, where he led the team to a 6-4 record and eight players earned CIAA All-Conference honors, with Joshua Pryor being named the 2021 CIAA Defensive Player of the Year and five First Team All-CIAA selections. Additionally, Pryor and Jordan Griffin were both selected First Team and Second Team All Super Region Two honorees. Jackson also had five Bulldogs participate in the second Annual Black College Football HBCU Legacy Bowl in New Orleans.
HINCKLEY ON THE BLACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME WATCHLIST
Bowie State wide receiver Keshane Hinckley was officially announced as one of the names on the official watch list of the 2023 Black College Football Player of the Year Watchlist, the Black College Football Hall of Fame announced in July. The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding football player from a Historically Black College & University. Hinckley is one of 11 student-athletes listed from the CIAA. The Laurel, Md., native led Bowie State and the CIAA in total receptions (56) in 2022. He registered a team-high (686) receiving yards (2nd in the CIAA) and a team-high (5) TDs last season. Four finalists will be unveiled after the season. The winner of the Black College Football Player of the Year Award, which will be announced during halftime of the 2024 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl, will be presented with the Deacon Jones Trophy. The Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl takes place on Saturday, February 24, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The game will be broadcast live on NFL Network.
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
The Panthers (5-1, 3-1 CIAA) are on a two-game winning streak coming off a 42-20 win at Elizabeth City State Saturday (Oct. 7). Virginia Union held a 14-0 lead at halftime before the Vikings tacked on a touchdown in the third quarter. The Panthers would hold a 21-13 scoring margin in the fourth in route to the 22-point road win. VUU has the top defense in the CIAA, allowing just 13.8 points per game while offensively, the Panthers are putting up an average of 32.5 points per outing behind Virginia State (37.3) who leads the CIAA currently. Jada Byers remains atop in rushing average (112.5) while his backup Curtis Allen ranks third (84.0). Byers also is third in scoring, averaging 9.0 points per game with six touchdowns and 36 points through four games this season. Defensively, the Panthers have a player ranked top-10 in tackles (Shamar Gorham), tackle for loss (Isaac Anderson), passes defended (Ephriam Moore) and interceptions (William Davis, Moore and Donald Gatling).
LOOKING AHEAD
The Bulldogs will remain on the road to travel to Bluefield, WV to take on Bluefield State on Saturday, Oct. 21. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. from Mitchell Stadium.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State University Athletics and its 13 varsity sports teams, please visit www.bsubulldogs.com.
