DURHAM, N.C. — Shaw University rushed for 335 yards and scored touchdowns on seven possessions to secure a 49-27 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association victory over Lincoln University (Pa.) on Saturday afternoon at Durham County Memorial Stadium.
The Bears improved to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play. Lincoln dropped to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in the CIAA.
After Lincoln opened the scoring with an 11:03 touchdown in the first quarter, Shaw answered with 28 consecutive points. Trey Thorpe tied the game on a 2-yard touchdown run before giving the Bears the lead with a 6-yard score in the second quarter.
Fabian Diggs added a 1-yard touchdown run with 2:11 remaining in the first half, sending Shaw into the locker room with a 21-7 advantage.
Shaw continued its offensive surge after halftime. Quarterback Alexander Marsh completed a 77-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 28-7. After Lincoln answered, Marsh connected with Reggie King Jr. for a 32-yard touchdown that gave the Bears a 35-14 advantage late in the third quarter.
Jerry Eaton opened the fourth quarter with a 23-yard touchdown run. Lincoln pulled within 42-27, but Shaw responded with an 11-play, 73-yard drive that consumed six minutes. Marsh capped the drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jeffrey McDonald Jr. with 2:02 remaining.
Marsh completed 10 of 15 passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He also rushed for 33 yards and a touchdown.
Thorpe led Shaw's ground attack with 108 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. Diggs added 106 yards and a touchdown on 17 attempts as the Bears produced two 100-yard rushers. Eaton finished with 37 yards and a touchdown on five carries.
King caught two passes for a team-high 52 yards and a touchdown, while Floyd Lyles recorded 35 yards on two receptions. Keyshaun Powell added three catches for 31 yards.
Shaw finished with 483 yards of total offense, averaged 7 yards per play and recorded 26 first downs. The Bears converted 6 of 10 third-down opportunities and scored touchdowns on all five of their red-zone possessions.
Defensively, Shaw forced four Lincoln turnovers, including two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Kristopher Young returned an interception 19 yards, while Sean McFadden recorded an interception late in the fourth quarter. Brandon Heard forced and recovered a fumble, returning it 24 yards, and Latrell McFadden also recovered a fumble.
Ethan Cason-Guyton led the defensive front with five tackles, 2.5 sacks and three tackles for loss. The Bears finished with three sacks and eight tackles for loss.
Benjamin Turner converted all seven of his extra-point attempts.
Lincoln quarterback Jayden Triplett completed 17 of 25 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns but threw two interceptions. Kyrie Tyson led the Lions with nine receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
Shaw will continue its three-game homestand Saturday, Sept. 26, against Livingstone at Durham County Memorial Stadium.
