FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Shaw University gave preseason CIAA contender Fayetteville State all it could handle Saturday night, building a double-digit first-half lead and pulling within one score late before falling 33-20 in the 2026 season opener at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium.
The Bears, picked 10th in the CIAA preseason predicted order of finish, showed little concern for the preseason projections early against a Fayetteville State squad selected third. Shaw scored on its opening possession, led 12-0 late in the second quarter and carried a 12-11 advantage into halftime before the Broncos used a strong third quarter and a late defensive touchdown to escape with the conference victory.
Shaw wasted little time setting the tone.
The Bears took the opening kickoff and marched 65 yards on seven plays, using 3:27 off the clock before Trey Thorpe punched in a 10-yard touchdown run with 11:30 remaining in the first quarter. The extra point was unsuccessful, but Shaw had quickly grabbed a 6-0 advantage.
The Shaw defense helped keep Fayetteville State off the scoreboard throughout the opening period and came up with a key play midway through the second quarter. Jermaine Bright Jr. forced and recovered a Fayetteville State fumble at midfield, giving the Bears another opportunity to extend the lead.
Shaw took advantage.
Fabian Diggs highlighted the ensuing possession with a 20-yard run before quarterback Alexander Marsh connected with Reggie King Jr. for nine yards on third down. Diggs converted a fourth-and-1 to keep the drive alive, and Marsh eventually found Keyshaun Powell for an 8-yard touchdown pass to cap a nine-play, 50-yard drive.
The score pushed Shaw's lead to 12-0 with 4:59 left before halftime.
Fayetteville State found momentum immediately on special teams. Amari Best blocked the extra-point attempt and Terrell Ford returned the loose ball 95 yards for two points, cutting Shaw's advantage to 12-2.
The Broncos then put together a 10-play, 60-yard drive, with Jamir Dismukes finding Calvin Parker for an 8-yard touchdown with one minute remaining in the half. Fayetteville State struck again on special teams in the final seconds when a blocked Shaw punt resulted in a safety.
Despite the late swing, Shaw went into the locker room holding a 12-11 advantage.
Fayetteville State seized the lead after receiving the second-half kickoff. The Broncos moved 73 yards in eight plays before Braylon Vinson scored from 6 yards out, putting the home side in front 18-12.
Another blocked punt gave Fayetteville State favorable field position later in the third quarter, and Dismukes broke free for a 29-yard touchdown run to increase the margin to 24-12. John Hernandez-Vargas later connected on a 34-yard field goal as the Broncos carried a 27-12 lead into the fourth quarter.
Shaw continued to battle.
With the Bears needing a response, the offense put together its longest scoring drive of the night. Shaw went 75 yards on 16 plays and controlled the ball for 7:27 before freshman quarterback Landon Melton scored on a 3-yard run with 7:33 remaining.
Antrel Gibson hauled in the two-point conversion, cutting the deficit to 27-20 and putting Shaw within one possession in the closing minutes.
The Bears had another opportunity late, but Fayetteville State's Zyking Patillo intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown with 1:38 remaining to provide the final margin.
Shaw finished with 216 yards of total offense, including 135 on the ground. The Bears controlled the football for 30:15 and were particularly effective in fourth-down situations, converting four of five attempts. Shaw also scored on all three of its trips inside the red zone.
Thorpe led the ground attack with 53 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, while Diggs added 41 yards on eight attempts. Melton contributed the fourth-quarter rushing touchdown.
Marsh completed seven passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. King led Shaw's receivers with three catches for 62 yards, including a game-long 39-yard reception, while Powell finished with the 8-yard touchdown catch.
Defensively, Shaw held Fayetteville State to 292 total yards and limited the Broncos to just 2-of-7 on third down. Quadir McEachin led the Bears with nine tackles, while Kristopher Young and Marquis James finished with eight each. Caron Jones and Latrell McFadden each recorded a sack, while Bright forced and recovered the second-quarter fumble.
Fayetteville State finished with 148 rushing yards and 144 through the air. Dismukes threw for 144 yards and one touchdown while adding 56 yards and a score on the ground. Vinson led the Broncos with 88 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Shaw returns to action Saturday, Sept. 5, when the Bears travel to Wilson, N.C., to face Barton College. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
