BOWIE, Md. -- Bowie State football was well represented in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Week Four Football Weekly Honors, as junior running back Maximus Jones was selected as the CIAA Offensive Back of the Week and redshirt senior defensive lineman Dalan Johnson earned CIAA Defensive Lineman of the Week honors.
The recognition comes after the Bulldogs earned their first victory of the 2026 season, defeating Elizabeth City State University, 34-23, on Sept. 26 at Roebuck Stadium. The victory also marked the first career win for first-year Bowie State head coach Dawson Odums.
Jones Leads Bulldogs' Ground Attack
Jones delivered one of his strongest performances of the season against the Vikings, carrying the ball 23 times for 148 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. His performance helped Bowie State produce 254 rushing yards on 46 attempts, with the Bulldogs recording 25 total first downs and controlling the clock for 30:15.
Jones played a critical role in the Bulldogs' fourth-quarter finish. With Elizabeth City State holding a 23-21 lead, Jones broke through for a 29-yard touchdown run that helped secure Bowie State's 34-23 comeback victory. The Bulldogs held the Vikings scoreless in the fourth quarter.
Through four games, Jones has established himself as one of the CIAA's leading rushers. He has accumulated 295 rushing yards on 69 carries, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt, while scoring two touchdowns. His 73.8 rushing yards per game currently rank among the conference's top individual rushing performances.
Jones entered the 2026 campaign following a productive 2025 season in which he rushed for 572 yards on 128 carries and led the Bulldogs with seven rushing touchdowns. He also entered the season as one of Bowie State's key returning offensive weapons.
Johnson Makes Impact Along Defensive Front
Johnson also played an important role in Bowie State's first victory of the season, recording three tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack against Elizabeth City State. His sack came for a six-yard loss as the Bulldogs' defensive front consistently pressured the Vikings throughout the contest.
As a unit, Bowie State's defense recorded five sacks for 44 yards, held Elizabeth City State to just 228 total yards and limited the Vikings to 3.7 yards per play. The Bulldogs also held ECSU to just 4-of-14 on third-down conversions and shut out the Vikings during the fourth quarter.
Johnson entered the 2026 season with considerable expectations after being named to the Preseason All-CIAA Team. During the 2025 campaign, he recorded 24 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks, establishing himself as a veteran presence on the Bowie State defensive line.
Bulldogs Continue CIAA Campaign
The honors for Jones and Johnson highlight the contributions of both sides of the football as Bowie State enters the next phase of its 2026 campaign. Jones' production on the ground and Johnson's presence along the defensive front have provided key contributions as the Bulldogs continue to establish their identity under Odums.
Bowie State currently stands at 1-3 overall and 1-1 in CIAA play following the victory over Elizabeth City State. The Bulldogs will return home for the first time this season on Saturday, Oct. 3, when they host Shaw University at 1 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium.
The matchup will also feature Cool Mac Day – Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day, honoring the legacy of the late Dr. Clyde Doughty Jr.
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.
