DURHAM, N.C. — Shaw University mounted a late fourth-quarter comeback but fell just short in a 45-42 loss to Bluefield State on Saturday afternoon in its Homecoming and Senior Day contest at Durham County Memorial Stadium.
Trailing 45-28 entering the fourth quarter, Shaw (4-6) rallied behind senior running back Trey Thorpe, who scored two 1-yard rushing touchdowns to pull the Bears within three points with 1:37 remaining. Thorpe finished with 69 rushing yards and two touchdowns while adding 117 receiving yards and another score on four receptions.
After falling behind 21-7 early in the second quarter, Shaw battled back to tie the contest at 21 behind a 29-yard touchdown pass from Landon Melton to Floyd Lyles and a 51-yard scoring connection between Alexander Marsh and Thorpe.
Keon Batts added a 10-yard fumble recovery touchdown, while Fabian Diggs contributed a 10-yard rushing score.
Defensively, Quadir McEachin led Shaw with 10 tackles, while Marquis James and Kristopher Young each recorded eight stops.
The Bears finished with 446 yards of total offense but could not overcome Bluefield State's 480-yard performance, including 308 yards on the ground.
Shaw concludes its 2026 campaign with a 4-6 overall record.
