Oct. 13, 2008
Final Stats
Durham, NC - The race for the CIAA Western Division title is even more difficult for the Broncos, after a 19-12 loss to Shaw University Sunday evening. Fayetteville State falls in the standings to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the CIAA; Shaw improves to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the conference.
The Broncos won the toss and elected to receive at Durham County Stadium. FSU went three and out on their first drive. However, senior cornerback Donte' Wise intercepted a pass at the FSU 45 to give the offense a second chance. This was Wise's first of two interceptions on the day in his first game back; after missing two games due to injury.
Sophomore running back Richard Medlin had a three yard touchdown run to cap off a nine play, 44-yard Broncos' drive. Freshman place kicker Bryant Connor misdirected the extra point and Shaw trailed 6-0. Caleb Reid hit a 27-yard field goal on the Bears ensuing drive to put Shaw on the scoreboard. The first quarter came to a close with FSU up 6-3.
Shaw took a 10-6 lead in the second quarter off an 11-yard TD run by Raymon Williams. The Bears marched 63 yards and kept FSU's defense on the field for 3:36 and 10 plays.
Junior running back Calvin Harris found senior receiver Darryl Barnett for a 9-yard halfback touchdown pass to take a 12-10 lead with 1:25 left before the half. The special teams' coverage obviously broke down as Shaw's Raymon Williams returned the ensuing kick to FSU's 36.
Travis Robinson tossed a three yard touchdown reception to Julius Gregory seven seconds before time expired. The catch concluded a seven play drive and ended up being the last score of the game. With the exception of a safety at the 4:51 mark in the third quarter.
The Bears downed a punt at the FSU one yard line. The Broncos were forced to start the drive with their back to their own goal line. Shaw's Lewis Hampton tackled Harris in the end zone to account for the 19-12 final score.
The Broncos put up 178 rushing yards against a Shaw defense that was only allowing 49 rushing yards per game on average. Senior quarterback Bryan Hardy was FSU's leading rusher with 106 yards, followed by Medlin who produced 95 yards on the ground.
Linebackers Marcos Esquivel and Terrel Allen both had double digits tackles for the Broncos. Equivel had 14 tackles (8 solo, 6 assists) and a sack, while Allen got to the ball 11 times (4 solo, 7 assists).
But defensively, FSU couldn't get off the field. Shaw converted eight of 14 third downs, compared to the Broncos' three of 12.
The Broncos are now in a three way tie in the CIAA Western Division with Shaw and Livingstone at 3-1. Fayetteville State returns to Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium to host Johnson C. Smith University for the annual Homecoming contest. Kickoff will take place on Saturday, October 18th at 2:00 pm.
