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Bowie State 7, Johnson C. Smith 6

BOWIE, MD, September 7, 2002----The Bowie State University Bulldogs used a mighty defensive effort in their 2002 home-opener to defeat Johnson C. Smith University, 7-6.

The Bulldogs limited the Golden Bulls (0-2, 0-1 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) to just 99 total yards of offense, but needed an interception by Antone' Sewell on the game's final play to seal the deal. 16 different players recorded at least one tackle in the team effort and the Golden Bulls finished with -9 yards rushing.

The win gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 record to open the season, the first time they have done that since 1988, the year they advanced to the Division II playoffs.

The Bulldogs defense was tested twice early and they responded each time.

The Golden Bulls blocked the Bulldogs' punt on the game's initial drive, taking over at the Bulldogs' 10-yard line. Three plays netted a loss of three yards and Patrick McAnaw's chip-shot field goal attempt sailed wide right. That would be a recurring theme for the Golden Bulls and it would cost them.

After Bulldogs' quarterback Maurice Hill fumbled on his own four-yard line early in the second quarter, the defense came to the rescue again. On third-and-goal from the one, Christopher Nelson went left where linebacker Atcheson Conway was waiting. Conway ripped the ball out his hands and went 20 yards the other way before being hauled down.

The offense would respond with their only score of the day as they drove 75 yards in nine plays for Kelvin Collins's four-yard trot around left end. The key play on the drive was a 48-yard pass play from Hill to Montese Henson.

Conway was all over the field recording 10 tackles (six unassisted) with three for a loss of five-yards, with the forced fumble and recovery. Damian Walker had six tackles, including two sacks, which brought his total to five for the year. Charles Alston had another solid game with five tackles, a sack and three quarterback hurries.

The Golden Bulls put together their best drive of the game late in the second quarter, going from their 20 to the Bulldogs' 15. McAnaw would miss a 33-yard field goal attempt with seconds left in the half and the Bulldogs were up 7-0 at the break.

The Golden Bulls got their only score of the game with 11:10 left in the third quarter when Hill overthrew his target into the arms of triple-threat Craig Brown. Brown, who also caught three passes as a receiver, weaved 73-yards through traffic for the score. McAnaw's extra-point went wide right once again, giving the Bulldogs their margin of victory.

The Bulldogs overcame four turnovers on the offensive side and were still able to finish with 221 yards of total offense. Collins rushed 24 times for 78 yards and Hill went 7-15 for 113 yards and an interception.

Reggie Broughton and Robert Doss were all over the field for the Golden Bulls' defense with 14 and 12 tackles, respectively.

The Bulldogs will host Winston-Salem State University at 1 p.m. next Saturday.


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