Bowie State University football will visit Delaware State University on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 3 p.m. ET at Alumni Stadium in Dover, Delaware. The Bowie State Bulldogs are seeking their first victory of the 2026 season after opening with a 42-13 loss at Virginia State.
The game is the second of four consecutive road contests to begin Bowie State’s 2026 campaign. Delaware State University is a Division I FCS opponent and a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
Bowie State University Football Looks to Rebound
Bowie State forced two third-quarter fumbles and recovered both against Virginia State. Aaron Anderson forced one fumble, while James McPhatter recovered a fumble at the Bowie State 2-yard line.
Makhy Acey recorded 170 total receiving yards on seven receptions, including a 72-yard completion from Keith. Challenger Valentine added 55 receiving yards and scored Bowie State’s lone touchdown in the first quarter.
Maximus Jones rushed for 76 yards, while Daniel Coles Jr. added 46 yards. Chase Francis recorded seven tackles and forced and recovered a fumble, while Zayden Flemmings intercepted a pass in the red zone.
Dawson Odums Begins First Season
Dawson Odums is in his first season as Bowie State’s head football coach after being named the program’s 11th head coach in February. He brings more than 25 years of collegiate coaching experience to the Bulldogs.
Dalan Johnson and Deshawn Willoughby were identified as Preseason All-CIAA selections. Johnson recorded 24 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks in 2025, while Willoughby had 24 tackles, three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Delaware State University Enters at 1-1
Delaware State University enters the matchup with a 1-1 record after defeating Stony Brook 41-34 and losing to William & Mary 22-15. The Hornets produced 514 total yards against Stony Brook, including 323 passing yards and 191 rushing yards.
Ui Ale connected with Jaylin Terzado on a 72-yard touchdown against Stony Brook, and Sean Weston Jr. scored a game-winning touchdown run. Against William & Mary, Delaware State recorded seven sacks and limited the team to 187 total yards.
Carl Nesmith led that defensive effort with seven tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Delaware State’s ability to create pressure will present another challenge for the Bowie State Bulldogs.
Series History and Schedule
Saturday’s matchup will be the fourth meeting between Bowie State and Delaware State since 2021. Delaware State leads the series 2-1 after winning the 2025 meeting 36-14 in Dover.
Bowie State defeated Delaware State 22-11 in Dover in 2023. A Bowie State victory Saturday would even the series at 2-2.
Following the Delaware State game, Bowie State will visit Alabama A&M on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 6 p.m. That contest will be the third game of the Bulldogs’ four-game road stretch to open the 2026 campaign.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Bowie State University football enters a difficult road matchup against a Delaware State University team that has demonstrated both offensive production and defensive pressure. The Bulldogs created turnovers and produced several individual highlights in the opener, but they will need to turn those plays into sustained execution as they pursue their first win.
The series includes a recent Bowie State victory in Dover, although Delaware State won the latest meeting. Saturday’s game will give the Bulldogs another opportunity to respond under Dawson Odums during the opening stretch of the 2026 season.
Source: Original report
