Shaw 18, Livingstone 14

September 30, 3006

By Shari Hill, Livingstone Sports Information Intern

(Salisbury, NC) Livingstone (1-5, 1-2 CIAA) seemed to be on its way to a two-game win streak in Alumni Memorial Stadium (2,353). A feat that hasn't been done by the Blue Bears since 2002.

Mid-way through the fourth quarter, Shaw University (2-3, 1-2 CIAA) gained the final lead of the game with 6:31 remaining. Reginald Price (Jr., Winston-Salem, NC) topped a 76-yard dive with a three-yard run.

Livingstone's final drive ended with a lost fumble at 5:03 on the clock.

The Bears ran out the clock for the 18-14 victory.

The Blue Bears' defense was the first on the scoreboard. Rock Magis blocked a Calvin Grimes (So., Decatur, GA) punt from the Shaw 26-yard line. Alvin Hudson picked up the ball on the Livingstone 15-yard line and returned it uncontested into the end zone with 1:51 left in the first quarter.

Shaw University scored its first points with a 14-yard pass from Jermonty Kimbrough to James Pettway. The drive lasted 14 plays for 76 yards leaving 11:11 remaining in the first half. The extra point attempt hit the upright leaving the score 6-7.

Both teams played a well balanced game for the first half. Shaw totaled 35 offensive plays for 150 yards, while Livingstone finished with 25 for 151. In the battle of the quarterbacks Kimbrough finished the half with 79 passing yards, while Jason Mitchell had 80 yards.

Livingstone entered intermission with a one point lead 7-6.

Shaw gained the lead in the second half with a 30-yard pass from Kimbrough to Price. Kimbrough's two point conversion attempt failed making the score 12-7; with 11:38 left in the 3rd quarter.

Livingstone regained momentum late in the third quarter with a 63-yard drive that ended with a 9-yard pass from Mitchell to Rashard Williams. Williams finished the game with six catches for 81 yards. Mitchell completed 14 of 23 passes for 168 yards.

The Bears finished the game with 371 offensive yards (179 rushing, 192 passing) will the Blue Bears were edged out with 250 yards (82 rushing, 168 passing). Livingstone, who averages 8.8 penalties for 72.6 yards per game, finished the night with one penalty for five yards.

Sophomore Linebacker Alvin Hudson led both defenses with 17 total tackles along with an assisted tackle for a loss of five yards. He also scored the first points of the game after recovering a blocked punt.

Next weekend, Livingstone will host long-time rival Johnson C. Smith while Shaw plays its first home game against Bowie State.