Bowie State 13, Gannon 9

It was the Bulldogs' 21st-ranked defense stifling the seventh-ranked offense of the Gannon Golden Knights, coming from behind to win 13-9 in an out-of-conference confrontation.

The win was the second-consecutive for the Bulldogs (4-3 overall, 2-2 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) and sets up the final weeks as the Bulldogs vie for the CIAA Eastern Division title.

After missing the opportunity to convert some big play opportunities in the first half, the Bulldogs got a spark from backup quarterback Dante Harris in the second half. Relieving an injured Kernis Faison, Harris ran 16-yards for the Bulldogs first touchdown, then found receiver Mike Bryant for the game-winning 26-yard touchdown with just over 11 minutes to play.

Those scores would be more than enough for a tough Bulldogs defense that allowed just three field goals to the Golden Knights. Freshman linebacker Atcheson Conway's second interception of the afternoon coming with 41 seconds left in the game sealed the victory.

Defensive end Charles Alston led the defensive effort, which held the Golden Knights (3-3) nearly 200 yards under their season average. Alston recorded 13 tackles, including five for a loss of 12 yards and a sack. Conway added 12 tackles to his two interceptions and defensive tackle Anthony Mulkey had 12 tackles to his credit.

The Golden Knights were without stellar starting quarterback Jason Cunningham, who the coaches benched for the game, but Bulldogs' head coach Henry Frazier, III didn't think he would have made the ultimate difference in the game.

"Cunningham not playing was big because he is their leader, but they didn't alter their game plan and we didn't alter our game plan. I thought we had their scheme down pretty well."

The Golden Knights replaced Cunningham with Darmel Whitfield, who was replaced in the second half by Ryan Crispell. Operating their option offense out of the shotgun, Whitfield was 4-12 for 49 yards and two interceptions. He also ran 16 times for 82 yards. Crispell was 4-7 for 50 yards with the one interception while gaining 51 yards on 14 carries. The Bulldogs did a good job containing running back Ryan Cloherty, who finished with 50 yards on 17 rushes.

Despite starting three of their first four possessions at least their own 47, the Bulldogs would just allow the Golden Knights a 24-yard Jarret Kier field goal.

That would keep the Bulldogs in the game, especially when they could not take advantage of excellent field position set up in the second quarter after an interception by T-Wuan Prather.

When the Bulldogs failed on a fourth down attempt on the Golden Knight 23, it ultimately led to Kier kicking a 39-yard field goal for a 6-0 lead with 37 seconds left in the half.

Faison finished his painful first half 1-13 for 11 yards with an interception with Harris taking over to start the second half.

The offense has had trouble in the red zone this year, and there was no exception today. After taking the second half kickoff at their 21, the Bulldogs drove down the field and had a first-and-goal at the Golden Knight six. Three rushes and an incomplete pass later, the Golden Knights took over on their own three.

The Bulldogs were able to rack up 153 yards rushing, led by Danny Leo's 62 yards on nine carries. Freshmen Caleb Cranke and Kelvin Collins rushed for 45 and 30 yards, respectively.

Gerald Washington forced Whitfield to fumble at the Golden Knight 19, with Nathaniel Talley recovering, and it took Harris just two plays before he rushed for the 16-yard go-ahead touchdown.

After Kier connected for his third field goal of the game, a 44-yarder to start the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs would come right back once more.

The Bulldogs got into Golden Knight territory quickly on a 15-yard gain by Collins and a 22-yard romp by Leo. Two plays later, Harris and Bryant hooked up for the game-winner.

With the clock starting to run out on the Golden Knights, the Bulldogs' defense turned in a critical stop. With a third-and-one at the Bulldogs' 38, Crispell came out of the shotgun, but his quarterback sneak gained no yards as Alston and Bruce Banks clogged the middle. On fourth down, Cloherty was rebuffed by Alston and Marcus Davis, and the Bulldogs took over with 5:01 to go.

The Bulldogs will face a stern test for their Homecoming Game on Saturday when the 6-2 Fayetteville State University Broncos come calling.

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