Nov. 7, 2009

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DURHAM - All season, Fayetteville State head coach Kenny Phillips has asked his football team to do one thing.

Be in a position to win games in the fourth quarter.

In its 21-10 over Bowie State (6-5) in the CIAA Championship game, FSU (8-3) did just that.

Junior running back Richard Medlin capped a 12-play, 88-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run to give the Broncos their first lead at 14-10 with 2:29 remaining in the game. The touchdown was set up following an interception by senior Joseph Brown.

"Our thing is to make sure in the fourth quarter we have an opportunity to win the football game," said Phillips. "These kids did a great job today to make sure we stayed within fighting distance of this football team especially in the second half."

Defensive lineman Jamal Dixon returned an interception 22 yards for a touchdown to seal the Broncos victory.

All 21 of FSU's points came in the fourth quarter. The Broncos have outscored their opponents 96-36 in the fourth quarter this season.

FSU Quarterback Benjamin Williams was named the game's Offensive MVP after leading the Broncos to its two fourth quarter touchdown drives.

"I'm ecstatic," Williams said. "To win the game, the offense knew that we would have to make plays. I'm just ecstatic right now."

Williams, who replaced Tyler Hosler in the third quarter, had 97 yards of offense and one touchdown through the air. More important to Phillips, however, was Williams' calming effect on the team.

"He did an outstanding job in getting our football team in winning position," Phillips said. "He hasn't had an opportunity to play since the fourth game of the season. When your opportunity comes you have to be in position to make plays and he did."

FSU's first half was one it would like to forget.

The Broncos missed two field goals, allowed a BSU touchdown on the game's opening series and committed two turnovers.

"I was kind of sad in a way, kind of disappointed," tight end Tyshon Gurley said of his mood at halftime. "At the end of the day, I saw in the guys eyes that we were going to come out at fight. There was no doubt. I trusted in my teammates, I knew we were going to pull it through."

Since starting the season 0-2, FSU has won eight of nine and six straight. Williams said the win especially gratifying considering his personal circumstances.

"This whole season was a test of character," he said. "I had some rough times at the beginning of the season after I got benched. At that point it was just a matter of still keeping my head in the game and still being a good teammate."

The Broncos, who entered the game ranked No. 10 in the NCAA regional rankings, will find out if they will be in the NCAA Division II Playoffs on Sunday.

For now though, Phillips said he was happy for his team.

"This is a joyful moment for these student-athletes," he said. "We don't know what's going to happen to day tomorrow. But, if this is their last football game, they go out as 2009 CIAA Champions."

Said Gurley: "It's a great feeling. Words can't describe how I feel right now."

Phillips said his team's play this season merits a chance to play for a NCAA Division II Championship.

"I'd urge the committee to go back and look at the type of football we played this year," he said. Somebody has to come to their senses about who they pick to play in the playoffs. The CIAA plays just as good football as anyone else in the country. We just need an opportunity to show that we are capable of winning football games against anyone."

Both Darius Powell and Marcos Esquivel had 10 tackles to lead the FSU defense.