Bowie State Holds Off West Alabama 41-35 For NCAA Region 2 First Round Win

BOWIE, Maryland  -- After capturing their first CIAA championship a week ago, the Bowie State University Bulldogs (10-2) received a berth into the NCAA Division 2 Super Region 2 playoffs for the second consecutive season and defeated West Alabama, 41-35, to advance onto the second round on the road at Valdosta (Ga.) State.

In the first quarter, Martin Tyriq scored on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Harry Satterwhite, to put West Alabama on the board at 7-0. At the 10-minute mark in the second quarter, Bowie State's Jordan Crockett caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Amir Hall to put the Bulldogs on the board, 7-7. Hall followed that up with a 3-yard touchdown run, strengthening the Bulldogs lead, to 14-7. West Alabama's Jonnas Spivey recorded a 38-yard pass from Satterwhite, to tie the game, 14-all. Gene Carson connected on a field 18-yard field goal, giving Bowie State a 17-14 advantage at the halftime.

Carson connected on another field-goal, this time from 18 yards to give the Bulldogs lead at 20-14 at the 9:08 mark of the third quarter. At the 7:34 mark, BSU's Bryan Ellis rushed for a 3-yard touchdown (his career first), giving Bowie State more breathing room at 27-14. The Tigers of West Alabama responded with 1:51 left in the quarter, with Tyler Rogers 14-yard score, closing the Bulldogs lead, 27-21.

In the fourth quarter, Christian Saulsberry quieted the 1,531 Bowie State fans in attendance, with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Satterwhite, giving West Alabama, the 28-27 lead.

However, Hall had answered by running for a five-yard touchdown, giving Bowie State back the lead, 34-28. With 9:08 remaining on the Bulldog Stadium scoreboard, Roger Richardson intercepted a UWA pass and returned it 36-yards, putting Bowie State up, 41-28. Tyler Rogers scored from two yards out at the 5:09 mark of the fourth quarter, to narrow Bowie State's lead, 41-35, but fortunately for the Bulldogs, the clock ran on West Alabama as the Bulldogs claimed the victory and advanced Bowie State to the second round for the first time in school history.

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ATTENDANCE: 1531

Hall finished the game completing 31-of-48 passes for 360 yards and one touchdown also paced Bowie State in rushing yards with 51 and one score. Crockett had a BSU personal-best day, leading all receivers with 131 reception yards on seven receptions and one touchdown. Lansana Sesay matched Crockett's receptions (seven), tallying 86 yards while Gilbert Lunsford added five catches for 50 yards.

On defense, Tre'von King recorded a game-high ten tackles followed by Richardson with seven and Tevin Singleton with six. Thomas Riddick and Derrick Tate recorded five tackles each. As a defensive unit, Bowie State recorded 62 tackles, one sack, and three interceptions.

Satterwhite led West Alabama (8-4) on offense with 289 passing yards while Rogers accounted 55 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns. West Alabama's Qua Boyd was the teams' reception leader with 97 yards on eight catches. Danny Rambo paced West Alabama with seven tackles while teammates Terry Samuel and Jordan Jones were responsible for six and five tackles in the loss.

NEXT GAME: At Valdosta State University Blazers, Valdosta, Georgia on November 24, 2018, 1 PM.  The Blazers are champions of the Gulf South Conference with a 10-0 overall record.  The game will be held at Blazemore-Hyder Stadium which seats 10,100. 

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