Shaw 16, Bowie State 14

October 27, 2007

Bowie, MD - Shaw University’s Alan Atwater rushed for a game-high 133 yards and Omari Avant passed for 133 yards (completing 11 of 14) to lead the Bears to a 16-14 victory over Bowie State University, spoiling the Bulldogs homecoming. The win improves Shaw’s overall record to 6-3 but dips Bowie State to 3-6 on the year.

Shaw’s Ryan Powell was the real difference maker for the Bears, booting three field goals on the afternoon. The first came early in the first quarter (11:21) from 24 yards out, giving the Bears a 3-0 for the remainder of the quarter.

Bowie State sophomore Anthony Howe got behind the Shaw secondary and hauled in a 74-yard pass from junior Jason Scott to score his second touchdown of the season and put BSU’s Bulldogs in front 7-3. The Bears’ Avant capped off a 10 play – 63 yard drive, scoring on a one yard rushing touchdown with 7:49 left in the second quarter and shifted the advantage back to Shaw’s side of the scoreboard at 10-7.

Isaac Redman rumbled 48 yards for a touchdown at the 13:36 mark of the third quarter, putting Bowie State back in front 14-10. Shaw’s Powell kicked his second field goal of the game with 7:20 left in the period, cutting the deficit to 14-13 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs and Bears exchanged their first possessions of the fourth quarter before Shaw capitalized with 8:01 left in the game. Shaw started the drive at their 40 yard line. Thirteen plays later, Shaw’s Powell nailed a 25-yard field goal, eating up 3:23. Bowie State never got into Shaw’s side of the field in final 7:55, turning the ball over on downs twice.

Scott threw for 111 yards and fellow junior Redman rushed for 80 yards to lead Bowie State. BSU’s Howe led all receivers with 86 reception yards. As a team, Bowie State managed only 215 yards in total offense on 46 plays. The turnover bug bit the Bulldogs again, as BSU fumbled the ball three times, losing two. Defensively, Bowie State was led by freshman Ricardo Silva and senior Sherman White with 15 and nine tackles respectively.

Shaw on the other hand, ran off 80 plays for 419 total yards of offense but they too coughed up the ball four times, losing three. The Bears rushed for 264 yards and netted 155 yards in passing. Tiquan Collins led the Bears defense with eight total tackles and Louis Ellis along Monte Coleman added six tackles each for Shaw.

“We knew it was going to be tough out there today, playing the number defensive team in the conference and having to deal the awful field conditions … Hats off to Coach Asberry and his team for rallying the troops, despite some personal issues with his (Asberry’s) wife,” said Bowie State Head Coach Mike Lynn.

Bowie State will close out the 2007 season at Elizabeth City State next Saturday (11/3) at 1:30 p.m. Shaw will face St. Augustine’s at home next weekend at 4 p.m. in the regular season finale.