Virginia Union Storms Back to Upend Bowie State 42-35

RICHMOND, Virginia  – Virginia Union University overcame a 21-0 first quarter deficit and rallied to top division leading Bowie State University 42-35 on Saturday afternoon. The loss snaps a four-game Bowie State win streak and sets the Bulldogs record at 5-3 overall, 4-1 in the CIAA and 2-1 in the North.

Sophomore Amir Hall (Bowie, Md.) connected with senior Nyme Manns (Baltimore, Md.) for a 52-yard pass, catch and score at the 14:28 mark of the first quarter. Hall connected with sophomore Maurice Williams 2:57 (Baltimore, Md.) left in first. Following at Virginia Union fumble, it only took Bowie State one play to push the Bulldogs lead to 21-0. Hall teamed up with redshirt freshman Geordan Clark (White Plains, Md.) for a 44-yard score.

Virginia Union (5-3, 4-1 CIAA, 2-1 North) scored their first points of the afternoon at the 13:28 mark of the second quarter, when William Stanback (Hempstead, N.Y.) rumbled 31 yards for the score. Stanback trimmed the Bowie State lead to 21-14 with 8:45 remaining in the first half, this time from two yards out.

Bowie State redshirt freshman Brandon Abrams (Baltimore, Md.) walked in for six from one yard out with 3:35 left in the first half, giving the Bulldogs a 28-14 lead.

The Panthers responded with a nine-play, 75 yard scoring drive, capped off by a 20 pass and catch by Shawheem Dowdy (Baltimore, Md.) to Gustavious Dames (Miami, Fla.). JeanClaude Brooks' (Charlotte, N.C.) extra point was good but Bowie State went into halftime with a 28-21 advantage.

Virginia Union capitalized on two Bowie State pass interference penalties on the Panthers' opening drive of the third quarter with Stanback punching it in for six from one yard out to tie the game at 28-all. VUU's Dowdy hooked Lavatiae Kelly for a 72-yard touchdown to give the Panthers their first lead at 35-28.

Sophomore Robert Chesson (Annapolis, Md.) bowled in for a 2-yard touchdown with 39 seconds left in the third quarter and freshman Gene Carson (Accokeek, Md.) added the extra point to tie the game at 35-all.

Dowdy found a wide open Aauguil Ingram-Harrow (Brooklyn, N.Y.) in the BSU end zone to shift the lead back over to Virginia Union at 42-35 to account for the final margin

Hall once again led Bowie State's offense with a game-high 295 passing yards, completing 18-of-29 passes (one interception) and three touchdowns. Manns was the Bulldogs' leading receiver with 132 yards on seven receptions, both game-highs.

Chesson was Bowie State's leading ground gainer with 81 rushing yards and Hall added 35 rushing yards.

Graduate student Kevaugn Townsend (Fort Washington, Md.) was the games' leading tackler with 13 total tackles.

The Panthers were led offensively by Dowdy, Stanback and Kelly. Dowdy completed 17-of-25 passes for 284 yards, Stanback carried the ball 32 times for 194 yards and Kelly had three receptions for 114 yards.

The Bulldogs return to action next Saturday (October 29th) making a stop at Lincoln (Pa.) University. Game time at Lincoln University field is set for 6 p.m.

BOX SCORE

BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION