FSU Defeats Livingtstone 47-29 on Homecoming

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina  --  Running back Colon Bailey, Jr. broke Fayetteville State’s single-game rushing record as the Broncos celebrated Homecoming with a 47-29 victory over Livingstone (2-7, 2-4 CIAA). Bailey finished with a career-high 288 yards on 36 carries and three touchdowns.

The victory was also historical for Head Coach Kenny Phillips. It was his 75^th career win. In 13 seasons at the helm, he now holds a 75-62 record.

“It’s always good to get a win,” said head coach Kenny Phillips. “The guys are playing hard. They haven’t given up this season. These last three weeks, they have grown as a football team. We came together today as a team and did something in a game that we have been looking to do the entire year. That is to run the football.”

Bailey (Jr., Manteo, NC) averaged eight yards per carry in the contest, and recorded a game-long rush of 40 yards. The 288 yards on the ground breaks the previous record of 265 set by Clifton Davis in 1993. He also eclipsed the 200-yard rushing plateau for the second consecutive game as he ran for 220 last week against Saint Augustine’s.

“Watching Colon run the football the last three weeks has been special; especially, when you’re talking about the last two games. He has rushed for over 200 yards in each of them,” said Phillips. “That doesn’t happen in college football too often with the way teams play defense. My hat is off to him and the offensive line.”

The Broncos (2-7 overall, 1-5 CIAA) rushed for a season-high 376 yards against the Blue Bears. Christopher Hairston (So., Jacksonville, NC) and Andre Montgomery (Fr., Goldsboro, NC) contributed 103 yards on 21 carries as a pair. Hairston finished with 66 yards on 11 touches and Montgomery contributed 37 yards on 10 carries.

Wide receiver Ricardo White (So., Monroe, NC) caught a team-best three catches for 73 yards. White pulled in a 53-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Andreas Hudson (Sr., Philadelphia, PA) that put Fayetteville State ahead 10-7 with 2:34 left in the first quarter.

Hudson had 146 yards passing and two touchdowns on 9-of-13 attempts in the first half. Nick Bynkoski (Fr., Duncan, BC) took over in the second half to see his first collegiate experience. He rushed for his first touchdown to open the second half.

The Broncos’ defense forced Livingstone into five turnovers (one interception, four fumbles) and held it to 337 yards of total offense. Four of the five turnovers led to 24 points for Fayetteville State.

Free safety Michael Johnson (So., Raleigh, NC) led the defense with ten total tackles (seven solo and three assisted), one fumble recovery and one-half tackle for loss. Strong safety Michael Fogg (So., Raleigh, NC) tallied an interception and fumble recovery while finishing with seven tackles (four solo and three assisted).

Fayetteville State will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 1:30 p.m. when it hosts #2 Winston-Salem State for Senior Day.

COURTESY FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION