HICKORY, NC -- The Bowie State Bulldogs dropped their season opener against Lenior-Rhyne 32-19 after Sadiq Salawu tallied 15 tackles despite the loss on the road Saturday afternoon.
The Bears improved to 1-0 on the season while the Bulldogs fall to 0-1.
Curtis Murray totaled 79 yards to lead the Bulldogs' ground attack and added one touchdown in the game, picking up 13.2 yards per carry along the way. Maximus Jones also tacked on 35 yards on the ground.
The most prolific target for BSU's quarterbacks was Jamir Roberts, who caught three passes for 47 yards and one score.
Salawu led the Bulldogs defensively with his 15 tackles, nine of them solo. Samuel Graham added four tackles and one interception and Shawan Lewis tacked on four tackles, 2.0 TFL, and one sack.
The Bulldogs forced one turnover in Saturday's contest, with Bowie State turning that takeaway into six points.
Defensively, BSU held up fairly well against the Lenoir-Rhyne rushing attack, holding the Bears to 199 yards on the ground.
How It Happened
After LR opened a 16-0 lead, BSU got on the scoreboard with 17 seconds left in the second quarter to narrow the margin to 16-6. The Bulldogs then scored again in the third quarter for a score of 32-12. BSU then scored again, narrowing their deficit to 32-19. Neither team scored again in the game.
Game Notes
» LR outgained Bowie State 469-259 in the contest.
» BSU had their highest scoring quarter in the fourth period when they put up seven points.
» Bowie State converted 6 of 16 third downs while Lenoir-Rhyne was successful on 3 of 12.
» The Bulldogs had two players with more than eight tackles in the ballgame led by Salawu, who had 15.
» BSU allowed just six points in four LR trips to the red zone.
» The Bulldogs ended the game on a strong note, scoring 13 unanswered points to close out the contest.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will head home to Bowie, Md., for their home opener against the Davenport Panthers on Saturday, Sept. 14 at noon for Blackout.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State University Athletics and its 13 varsity sports teams, please visit www.bsubulldogs.com.
