BOWIE, MD – The Bowie State Bulldogs (1-4, 0-2 CIAA) look to spoil the Virginia State Trojans (2-3, 1-2 CIAA) homecoming as they square off in a Central Intercollegiate Athletics Association (CIAA) matchup on Saturday, Oct. 12 at Rogers Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. The game will air live on CIAA Sports Network.
The Series
Saturday’s game will be the 15th meeting between Virginia State and Bowie State, dating back to 2009. The Trojans own the all-time series, 8-6, but the Bulldogs have won four of the last five meetings.
Last Outing Between the Bulldogs and Trojans
The last time out, VSU secured a dominant win over BSU on their Homecoming day, 44-16. The Bulldogs came out swinging, returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown, but the Trojans matched the intensity in the first quarter and outscored BSU 16-13 at the end of the first. The second quarter started with a big rushing touchdown from Virginia State, and Bowie State responded with a field goal, going into halftime with the score 23-16. The Bulldogs would go scoreless for the remainder of the game while the Trojans scored three more touchdowns in the second half, leading to the final score of 44-16.
Scouting Bowie State
The Bulldogs have made strides defensively throughout the 2024 season. BSU has held opponents to 572 rushing yards, which is ranked second in the conference, proving that opponents have a tough time establishing the run against their defense.
Senior Sadiq Salawu is the CIAA leader for solo tackles with 33 on the year, while senior Mekhi Williams has two interceptions on the season, which is tied for the second most in the conference.
Last Time Out for the Bulldogs
Bowie State was stunned by Fayetteville State in their last outing after a game-winning field goal secured the FSU win 27-24 on Saturday, October 5, from Luther “Nick Jeralds Stadium in Fayetteville, NC. The Bulldogs started the game off with a field goal, but the Broncos responded with a touchdown, making the score 7-3 after the first quarter. FSU scored first in the second quarter, but after a big passing touchdown and a fumble recovery for a touchdown, BSU took the lead going into halftime, 17-14. After a stalemate in the third quarter, tensions rose as the Broncos took the lead after a field goal and a passing touchdown. The Bulldogs responded with a touchdown, tying the game up at 24-24 before FSU drove the length of the field and kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired for a 27-24 victory.
Freshman Kevin Taylor led BSU under center with 18 completions, 200 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. On the ground, senior Curtis Murray had 54 rushing yards on 14 carries, with his longest run going for 28 yards. Freshman Joseph Towler was Bowie State’s leading receiver, with four receptions for 82 yards and one touchdown.
Defensively, the Bulldogs were led by Salawu, who finished the game with 14 total tackles (11 solo), one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and one pass breakup. Junior Jamal Jones anchored the defensive line with seven tackles, four tackles for loss, and one sack.
Scouting Virginia State
In the 2024 season, Virginia State is the fifth-best offense in the CIAA, totaling 1603 yards for 320.6 yards per game. The Trojans offense is powered by quarterback Romelo Williams, who is fourth in the CIAA for passing yards with 869 yards. Sophomore running back Jimmyll Williams is also ranked fifth in the conference for rushing yards, totaling 345 on the season.
On defense, the Trojans’ leading tackler is junior Carlos Poole, with 44 tackles on the season, which is tied for fifth most in the conference.
Last Time Out for the Trojans
Virginia State is coming off a tough loss to the No. 23 Johnson C. Smith 21-17 on Saturday, October 5, from Irwin Belk Complex in Charlotte, NC. After a scoreless first quarter, the Golden Bulls struck first after a rushing touchdown, taking a 7-0 lead going into halftime. The Trojans came out swinging in the third quarter, scoring two touchdowns, but their intensity was matched as JCSU answered back with two of their own, taking a 21-14 lead into the fourth quarter. VSU’s defense played great, holding Johnson C. Smith scoreless in the fourth, but only managed to score a field goal in the quarter, coming up short with a final score of 21-17.
Up Next
The Bowie State Bulldogs will return home from their long road stint for their homecoming game against CIAA competitor Bluefield State on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 1 p.m. from Bulldogs Stadium in Bowie, MD. The game will air live on HBCU GO TV.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State University Athletics and its 13 varsity sports teams, please visit www.bsubulldogs.com.
