SALISBURY, NC -- Bowie State posted 354 yards in total offense but seven fumbles including four losses and 10 penalties proved to be too much to overcome in the Bulldogs 31-18 to a no-longer winless Livingstone team on the road Saturday afternoon at Alumni Memorial Stadium.
The Blue Bears improved to 1-4 on the year and 1-2 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play, while the Bulldogs fall to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in conference action.
Amir Jenkins led Bowie State's passing attack with 286 yards through the air, tossing one touchdown and one interception. Corey Johnson totaled 66 yards to lead the Bulldogs' ground attack in the game, picking up 6.6 yards per carry along the way. Carleton Stewart also tacked on 35 yards and one touchdown on the ground.
Jenkins' most prolific target in the ballgame was Christopher Ferguson, who caught four passes for 63 yards. James McNeill, III got in on the action in the passing game as well, hauling in six balls for 62 yards. The Bulldogs also got 52 yards receiving and one touchdown from Keshane Hinckley in the contest.
Shawan Lewis led the defense with seven tackles, 2.5 tackle for loss and a .5 sack while Cameron Chesley, Mychale Salahuddin and Hasan Mosley all finished with five tackles each.
Despite the offensive woes, Bowie State converted on 53.3 percent of third-down attempts as well as going 2-for-3 on fourth down while Bowie State's defense held up against Livingstone's offense, giving up 280 total yards.
How It Happened
After Livingstone opened a 7-0 lead, Bowie State got on the scoreboard with 14:24 left in the second quarter to narrow the margin to 7-6 on a three-yard rushing TD from Stewart. Livingstone scored to increase its lead to 17-6 after a 5-yard reception TD and a 47-yard field goal, the Bulldogs scored again to narrow the deficit and make it a 17-12 game in the fourth quarter.
The Blue Bears would score two more times in the fourth stanza to extend its lead 31-12 before Bowie State responded with a touchdown with 3:00 left in regulation lead to cut the deficit to 31-18 but that would be the games final score on the day.
Game Notes
» Bowie State outgained Livingstone 354-280, including a 286-224 advantage through the air.
» The Bulldogs tallied 12 points in the fourth quarter, accounting for 66.7-percent of their total score.
» BSU converted 8 of 15 third downs while Livingstone was successful on 4 of 15.
» Bowie State went 2-for-3 on fourth down, converting on 66.7 percent of attempts.
» The Bulldogs collected eight tackles for loss and added two sacks.
» BSU won the time of possession battle 31:18 to 28:42.
» Jenkins completed 65.8-percent of his passes on the day, going 25-for-38 while averaging 7.5 yards per attempt.
» Marcus Drish led the Blue Bears passing attack, completing 18 of his 32 attempts for 224 yards and four touchdowns.
» Matthew Henery was Livingstone's leading receiver with 130 yards.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Bulldogs will return home to host the Trojans of Virginia State (5-0, 3-0 CIAA) in its division opener and 2023 homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 7 at Bulldog Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 2 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.
