Raleigh, NC - The Shaw University football team will open its 20th Anniversary of the return of football against a familiar foe in Wingate University Bulldogs Saturday afternoon in the season opener for both squads.
Game Info
When: Saturday, September 3, 2022 - 4 PM
Where: Durham County Memorial Stadium (750 Stadium Drive. Durham, NC 27704)
How to watch: Shaw Bears Sports Network
Live Stats: TBA
Series History: Shaw and Wingate will be meeting for just the third time in program history with the Bulldogs owning a 2-0 record over the Bears including last season's 30-7 opening season defeat.
The Bears
Shaw returns to the gridiron looking to improve on their 6-4 overall (5-2 CIAA) 2021 campaign. After dropping their first two contest, the Bears went on to win 6 of their last 8 contest including multiple three-game winning streaks. Shaw will rely on a veteran offensive line including Antavious Zachery and Tyrese Bobbitt that helped the Bears finish towards the top in rushing in the CIAA. Behind the line will be the explosive duo of Sidney Gibbs and Andre Brandon, Jr. All-CIAA Rookie team member Christian Peters will be called upon to guide the offense after winning the starting spot after a fierce competition during fall camp.
On defense, the Bears will have to replace two mainstays in Devon Hunt and Kevin Sherman, but with a mixture of returners in Kareem Butler, Keshaun Denham along with newcomers Jay Boyd and Cole McKinney, defensive coordinator Gilbert Wiggins is confident in the group that will start on the field. Also returning will be Akeythio Carson and Jaleel Scroggins. Anchoring the defensive line will be Javari Burgess and James Simon.
Handling the kicking duties will be All-Rookie CIAA team member Devin Versteegen.
The Bears are led by head coach Adrian Jones in his sixth season.
Wingate
Wingate finished the 2021 season 8-3 overall and 6-2 in the SAC. The Bulldogs were ranked more the majority of the season before dropping two of their last three games. Last season, the Bulldogs featured an offense that averaged 30.8 points per game and 380.9 yards per contest while their defense allowed 22.1 points per game and 345.3 yards per contest.
The Bulldogs are led by veteran head coach Joe Reich in his 22nd season.
