BOWIE, Md. – The Bowie State University Bulldogs trailed the entire game, but senior Amir Hall (Baltimore, Md.) connected with fellow senior Lansana Sesay (Bowie, Md.) for 34-yard touchdown with 1:14 remaining in the game to pull out a dramatic 20-17 home debut victory over Winston-Salem State University on Saturday afternoon. The 20 points was Bowie State’s lowest point production since falling (17-14) to Winston-Salem State in the 2015 CIAA Championship.
Bowie State (4-1, 2-0 CIAA) accumulated 394 yards in total offense compared to 251 for Winston-Salem State (1-3, 0-2 CIAA). The Bulldogs also held advantages in first downs 21-15 and total plays 81-69.
Hall had an off afternoon, completing just 28-of-52 passes for a game-high 281 yards but was intercepted twice. Hall also led the Bulldogs with 59 rushing yards on 11 carries. Sesay led all receivers with 117 reception yards on 10 catches and redshirt junior Geordan Clark (White Plains, Md.) was the games’ second leading receiver with 44 yards on four receptions. Redshirt Joshua Pryor (Baltimore, Md.) paced the Bowie State defense with seven total tackles which included one sack and 2.5 tackles for a loss. Seniors DeVonta’ High (Upper Marlboro, Md.) and Roger Richardson (Glenn Dale, Md.) tallied a half dozen tackles each.
The Winston-Salem State Rams scored the first points of the contest at the 6:42 mark of the opening quarter following a 3-yard touchdown run by Kerrion Moore (Gastonia, N.C.). Riley Robbins (Ponte Vedra, Fla.) added the extra point for the 7-0 lead. The score was setup by a blocked punt by WSSU’s Cameron Williams (Greensboro, N.C.).
The Bulldogs put together a 21-play, 82-yard drive to start the second quarter but the Rams defense snuffed out Bowie State at the goal line and took over on downs at the 7:32 mark. However, Bowie State’s defense forced a Winston-Salem State fumble in the end zone that resulted in a safety and two points for the Bulldogs.
Bowie State trimmed the deficit to 7-5 with 2:28 remaining before halftime following a 22-yard field goal by junior Gene Carson, II (Accokeek, Md.).
Winston-Salem State quarterback Emiere Scaife (Charlotte, N.C.) hooked up with Darren Dowdell (Atlanta, Ga.) for an 8-yard pass, catch and score to give the Rams a 14-5 advantage, capping off a 9-play, 72-yard drive.
Redshirt junior Brandon Abrams (Baltimore, Md.) notched his fifth rushing touchdown of the season, pounded up the gut for 2-yard score. Carson added the PAT, cutting the Rams lead to 14-12 with 7:39 on the third quarter clock.
Winston-Salem State’s Riley booted a 28-yard field at the 1:41 mark to give the Rams a slight edge at 17-12 heading into the final quarter.
The teams traded the first seven possessions of the fourth quarter, setting up Hall’s clutch drive with 2:39 remaining in the game. The Bulldogs went 80-yards in seven plays to snatch the thrilling 20-17 victory for Bowie State.
Scaife completed 14-of-25 passes for 142 yards to pace the Rams on offense while Moore toted the ball 22 times for a game-high 85 yards. Moore was Winston-Salem State’s top receiver as well, with 28 yards.
The Bulldogs hit the road for the fifth time this season next Saturday (October 6th) traveling to Murfreesboro (N.C.) to tangle with the Chowan Hawks. Kickoff time in Garrison Stadium is set for 1 p.m.
Courtesy: BSU Athletics
