Bowie State University men’s football lost 21-17 to Fayetteville State University on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Luther ‘Nick’ Jeralds Stadium in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The Bowie State Bulldogs led 10-7 at halftime before the Fayetteville State Broncos scored twice in the third quarter.
Devonta Johnson gave Bowie State an early lead by blocking, recovering, and returning a punt 24 yards for a touchdown at 11:46 of the first quarter. Johnson also recorded two tackles in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association game.
Bowie State University Builds Early Lead
Chris Gbakinro extended Bowie State’s advantage with a 39-yard field goal at 14:54 of the second quarter. The kick put the Bulldogs ahead 10-0 before Fayetteville State answered with Isaiah Silver’s 44-yard touchdown run at 4:59.
Tyrell Deal intercepted Fayetteville State quarterback Jamir Dismukes at the Bowie State 12-yard line to stop another Broncos scoring threat. Bowie State then drove to the Fayetteville State 25, but the possession ended on a sack and fumble, leaving the Bulldogs ahead 10-7 at halftime.
Fayetteville State Takes Control
Fayetteville State took the lead on its opening drive of the second half when Dismukes completed a 31-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Fleming at 13:47. Fleming added a 9-yard touchdown run at 2:14 after a 13-play, 77-yard drive, giving the Broncos a 21-10 advantage.
Bowie State moved within one score in the fourth quarter. After Zayden Flemmings blocked a 42-yard field-goal attempt at 13:11, the Bulldogs drove 75 yards, with Joshuah Keith completing a 66-yard pass to Carlos Smith before Jaylin Solomon scored on a 2-yard touchdown run at 10:18.
Gbakinro’s extra point cut Fayetteville State’s lead to 21-17. The Bulldogs later stopped the Broncos on fourth down at the Bowie State 28, but Amari Best intercepted a fourth-down pass at 1:45, allowing Fayetteville State to run out the remaining time.
Bowie State University Football Leaders
Maximus Jones led Bowie State with 73 rushing yards on 13 carries, while Smith recorded a team-high 66 receiving yards on one catch. Deal finished with five tackles and an interception, and Gbakinro made a 39-yard field goal and extra points after both Bowie State touchdowns.
Bowie State totaled 282 yards, including 145 passing yards and 137 rushing yards. Fayetteville State finished with 359 total yards, including 160 passing yards and 199 rushing yards.
The Bulldogs entered the game with a 4-5 overall record and a 4-3 CIAA record. Fayetteville State entered at 6-3 overall and 5-2 in conference play.
Next Game
Bowie State University will host Lincoln University (PA) on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 1 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium. The game will be the Bulldogs’ final home game and Senior Day.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Bowie State produced several momentum-changing plays, including Johnson’s blocked-punt touchdown, Deal’s interception, and Flemmings’ field-goal block. The Bulldogs moved within four points after Keith’s deep completion to Smith, but Fayetteville State made the final decisive play with an interception on Bowie State’s fourth-down possession.
Source: Original report
