DURHAM, NC - The Shaw University football team lost a nail bitter to Fayetteville State, 27-26, Saturday afternoon at the Durham County Memorial Stadium.  With the tough loss, the Bears dropped to 1-2 in the CIAA and 2-4 overall, while Fayetteville State is now 2-1 in the conference and 2-4 on the 2014 season.

The Bears scored the first points of the quarter off of a Fayetteville State safety. Bears kicker, Ian Burris kicked a 23-yard field goal for three points, giving the Bears a 5-0 lead going into the second quarter.

The Broncos began the second quarter strong with a two back-to-back scoring drives, taking the lead 13-5.

Shaw answered back with an eight-play, 91-yard scoring drive to bring the game to 13-12 with one minute left in the half. Junior Marquise Grizzle rushed in from 32-yards out on a first-and-ten.

Fayetteville State managed to score another touchdown and PAT, giving them a 20-12 advantage going into halftime.

Shaw quarterback Trey Folston hit Nick Jones for a 24-yard touchdown to start the third quarter. The Bears defense was able to hold off the Broncos, leaving them scoreless in the third. However, Fayetteville State still led the game 20-19 going into the fourth.

10:14 into the fourth quarter the game was delayed. After having to wait 30 minutes to play the contest due to inclement weather, both teams were ready for action.

Fayetteville State scored a touchdown with a four-play, 66-yard drive, giving the Broncos a 27-19 lead.

With just 8:11 to go in the game, the Bears had a chance to even it up or even win the game. With a seven-play, 74-yard drive, they drove down the field and scored when Grizzle rushed in for an 11-yard TD . The touchdown put the Bears one point shy of the Broncos, 27-26.

Folston finished the game 22 of 231 for 262 yards.  Grizzle had 28 carries for 200 yards and two touchdowns.  Nick Jones had seven receptions for 57 yards and one touchdown.

Defensively for the Bears, Roland Green was the standout with seven solo tackles, three assisted tackles, including one tackle for a loss and a sack. Evan Strange had four solos tackles, one assisted tackles, 1.5 tackles for a 12-yard loss and one sack. Kelan Jones recorded eight tackles, three of which were solo. Thomas Street and Dwight Campbell both recorded four and five solo tackles, respectively.

The Bears return to action Saturday when they travel to Livingstone College for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.