BOWIE, Md. - Bowie State football will finally return home Saturday, Oct. 3, when the Bulldogs host Shaw University in their 2026 home opener at Bulldog Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET as Bowie State continues Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play following its first victory of the season.

Bowie State enters Saturday's matchup with a 1-3 overall record and 1-1 mark in CIAA play after defeating Elizabeth City State, 34-23, last Saturday in Elizabeth City, N.C. The victory marked the first win of the 2026 season and the first career victory for first-year head coach Dawson Odums at Bowie State. The Bulldogs opened the season with three consecutive road losses before earning their first win during the final game of their four-game road stretch.

When: Saturday, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. ET
Where: Bulldog Stadium – Bowie, Md.
Watch: Click Here
Live Stats: Click Here
Follow on Twitter: @BSU_Sports_Info
Follow on Instagram: @BowieStateBulldogs

Cool Mac Day – Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day
Saturday's home opener will feature Cool Mac Day – Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day, celebrating Bowie State faculty and staff while honoring the legacy of the late Dr. Clyde Doughty Jr., a significant figure in Bowie State Athletics. Fans are encouraged to wear black in support of the Bulldogs, while the university will recognize Doughty's lasting impact through an in-game tribute and social media storytelling. A commemorative Cool Mac Day towel will also be distributed to fans as a keepsake.

Bulldogs Return Home After First Victory
Bowie State enters its home opener coming off a 34-23 road victory over Elizabeth City State. The Bulldogs relied heavily on their rushing attack, producing 254 rushing yards on 46 carries while recording 25 first downs and controlling possession for 30:15. Running back Maximus Jones led the way with 148 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries, averaging 6.4 yards per attempt. Jones scored on runs of two and 29 yards, including the fourth-quarter touchdown that helped Bowie State secure the victory. Daniel Coles Jr. added 69 rushing yards, while quarterback Joshuah Keith accounted for 23 rushing yards and a touchdown. Keith also completed 9-of-18 passes for 88 yards and one touchdown, connecting with Devean Byrd on a 21-yard touchdown pass. Byrd finished with five receptions for 55 yards, while Bowie State's offense totaled 342 yards, including 254 on the ground.

Defense Looks to Build on Strong CIAA Performance
Bowie State's defense produced one of its strongest performances of the season against Elizabeth City State, limiting the Vikings to 228 total yards and 3.7 yards per play. The Bulldogs held ECSU to just 106 rushing yards, while forcing the Vikings into difficult third-down situations as they converted only 4-of-14 attempts.

The Bulldogs also recorded five sacks for 44 yards and produced 18 tackles for loss. Defensive back Chase Francis led the effort with six tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Dalan Johnson added a fourth-quarter sack, while the Bulldogs also received a blocked punt from Santino Howard. Bowie State held Elizabeth City State scoreless in the fourth quarter and forced a critical fourth-down stop late in the contest.

Scouting the Shaw Bears
Shaw enters Saturday's contest with a 4-1 overall record and 2-1 mark in CIAA play. The Bears have won four consecutive games after opening the season with a 33-20 loss at Fayetteville State. Shaw followed with victories over Barton College, Ferrum College and Lincoln University before defeating Livingstone College, 28-27, in overtime last Saturday. The Bears' most recent victory featured a strong offensive performance, with Shaw producing 431 total yards, including 256 passing yards and 175 rushing yards. Quarterback Alexander Marsh completed 16-of-25 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns without an interception while also rushing for 33 yards. Running back Trey Thorpe rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown, while Cobie Bates added 101 rushing yards. Shaw also received 256 passing yards from Marsh and a 54-yard touchdown reception from Bates. In the Bears' previous victory over Lincoln, Shaw produced 483 total yards, including 335 rushing yards, as Thorpe and Fabian Diggs both eclipsed 100 rushing yards.

Series History
Saturday's matchup will renew a series between Bowie State and Shaw that has featured six meetings since 2009, according to Shaw's official opponent history. Shaw enters the matchup with a 5-1 record against Bowie State during that span, with the Bears holding a 223-89 scoring advantage. The most recent meeting listed in Shaw's official series history came in 2023. Bowie State will look to add a new chapter to the series Saturday while playing in front of its home crowd for the first time in the 2026 season.

Home Opener for the Bulldogs
Saturday's contest marks an important point in Bowie State's 2026 campaign as the Bulldogs finally return to Bulldog Stadium after opening the season with four consecutive road games. The Bulldogs began the year with matchups against Virginia State, Delaware State and Alabama A&M before returning to CIAA competition at Elizabeth City State. With the Bulldogs now 1-1 in conference play, Saturday's matchup against Shaw provides Bowie State with its first home opportunity of the season and another CIAA test as Odums continues to establish his program during his first season at the helm.

Up Next
Following Saturday's home opener against Shaw, Bowie State will return to the road Saturday, Oct. 10, when the Bulldogs travel to Winston-Salem, N.C., to face Winston-Salem State University at 1 p.m. ET.

For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 14 varsity sport teams, please visit BSUBulldogs.com and follow the Bulldogs on social media.