RALEIGH, NC - The Shaw University football team returns to the road for the second time in just three games for a key contest Saturday afternoon as the Bears travel to Bowie, MD to tangle with the Bowie State University Bulldogs. The matchup will be the CIAA opener for both squads. 

Kickoff is slated for 1:05 PM and can be viewed live on HBCU GO and The Grio from inside Bulldog Stadium. 

The Matchup

Last Five Matchups: BSU leads 4-1
Last Matchup: Shaw 17 - BSU 14 (2022)


The Bears

Shaw (0-2,0-0 CIAA) heads into the contest coming off a 26-13 defeat against # 17 Virginia Union last Saturday in the Bears home opener that was delayed over two hours due to inclement weather. The Bears fell behind quickly 16-0 in the first quarter before showing life before the half to cut the Panthers lead to 19-13 in the third quarter. A late pick six would all but cancel Shaw's attempt at a comeback win sending the Bears to a 0-2 record for the fourth straight season. 

The Bears will be hoping for history to repeat itself as Shaw has followed each 0-2 start by winning the next two contests and even three straight in 2021.

Donte Lee Jr, continues to be the bright spot for the Bears on offense as he leads Shaw in reception yards while earning CIAA Rookie of the Week honors for week two following his two touchdown performance against the Panthers. He set a new Shaw record 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to go along with an 85-yard scoring reception. 

Elijah Adams leads the Bears defense with 15 tackles with four of those being for loss. Jaden Jones follows with 13.

The Bulldogs

Bowie State heads into its home opener with a 1-1 record overall after opening the season with an impressive 22-11 win over FCS Delaware State before dropping a heartbreaking 24-19 decision at Davenport last weekend. 

The Bulldogs will look to do most of their damage through the air as the offense averages over 400 passing yards per contest. Quarterback Amir Jenkins leads the way with 597 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions. His top two targets are Christopher Ferguson (198 yards) and Keshane Hincley (197 yards, 1 TD). BSU's defense yields just over 269 yards per outing while looking for its first interception on the young season. The Bulldogs, however, have 15 total tackles for loss with four of those being sacks.