Bowie State Defeats Virginia Union 23-19 In CIAA North Battle for First Place

BOWIE, Maryland -- In a battle of the two top teams in the CIAA Northern Division, Bowie State University remained unbeaten (3-0) in the CIAA North, beating Virginia Union University 23-19. Virginia Union is now 2-1 in the CIAA North.

"I told these guys on the first day of camp that we have a very special group of kids", said an elated Bowie State head coach Damon Wilson. "In spite of all the things we're going through right now, we remain focused and continue to persevere."

PHOTOS

BOX SCORE

Bowie State (7-1, 5-0 CIAA, 3-0 North) was led on offense by freshman Nyema Washington (Forestville, Md.) with a career-best 211 passing yards in his first start of the year. Washington completed 10-of-24 passes, threw two touchdowns but was intercepted four times. Graduate Kendall Jefferson (Temple Hills, Md.) rushed for a game and career-high 148 yards on career-best 18 carries. Bowie State's top receiver was redshirt junior Nyme Manns (Baltimore, Md.) with a game-high 147 yards on six receptions and two scores.

Redshirt junior Kevaugn Townsend (Fort Washington, Md.) paced the Bulldogs defense with a game-high 11 tackles which included one sacks and one pass breakup. Freshman DeVonta' High (Upper Marlboro, Md.) recorded eight tackles in the win while seniors Anthony McDaniel (Fort Washington, Md.) and Brian Hall (Capitol Heights, Md.) tallied seven tackles each. McDaniel also tied his own school single game record of four sacks.

Virginia Union (6-2, 4-1 CIAA, 2-1 North) were led offensively by quarterback Shawheem Dowdy (Baltimore, Md.) with a game-high 399 passing yards, completing 28-of-40 but was sacked five times. Dowdy threw three touchdown passes to three different receivers. Andre Coble (Richmond, Va.) had a game-high nine receptions (103 yards) while Shaquille Mitchem (Gainesville, Fla.) hauled in seven catches for a game-high 110 reception yards. Olu Izegwire (Washington, D.C.) also had triple digit receptions yards with 106 on just four receptions.

The Panthers defense was led by Rodeshawn Joseph (Pompano Beach, Fla.) with a half dozen tackles followed by Anthony Cooper (Virginia Beach, Va.) with five tackles.

Bowie State scored the first points of the contest at the 7:56 mark of the first quarter on a Washington to Manns' 4-yard pass and catch. Junior Christopher Palmer (St. Mary's, Md.) added the extra point for the 7-0 Bulldogs lead.

Virginia Union's Dowdy connected with Chazton McKenzie (Lauderhill, Fla.) for a 10-yard touchdown for the Panthers first points of the afternoon. Beymar Piraquive (Doral, Fla.) converted the extra point to tie the game at 7-all in the second quarter.

Dowdy threw his second touchdown pass of the game with 2:42 left before halftime, this time hitting Mitchem for the 52-yard score. Piraquive's PAT was blocked but the Panthers led 13-7.

The Bulldogs scored on their very next possession with 2:16 remaining in the first half, on a Washington to Manns 62 yard pass and catch. Palmer's extra point shifted the advantage back over the Bowie State at 14-13 as the teams headed to their respective locker rooms at the half.

Bowie State pushed the lead to 21-13 early in the third quarter on a 7-yard touchdown run by Washington.

The Panthers pulled within two at 21-19 at the 4:36 mark of the third quarter when Dowdy connected with Izegwire for an 18 yard score. Virginia Union decided to go for two, but Dowdy's pass was intercepted by BSU's Hall and returned 98 yards and two points for the Bulldogs defense, accounting for the final margin of 23-19.

The Bulldogs will close out the home portion of their 2015 schedule on Saturday (October 31st) hosting the Lions of Lincoln University of Pennsylvania. This game has been designated as senior day with 18 seniors being recognized prior to the 1 p.m. kickoff.

COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION