No. 9 Bulldogs Fall at Saginaw Valley State
UNIVERSITY CENTER, MI – The No. 9 Bowie State Bulldog football team did not get off to the start they wanted early on as the Bulldogs fell 40-12 to the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals Saturday afternoon at Wickes Stadium. The setback was the first regular season loss against a Division II opponent since 2018.
The loss dips the Bulldogs to 1-1 on the year while the Cardinals improve to 2-0.
The Bulldogs hung in there early despite a 14-0 deficit after the first quarter. Bowie State scored its first touchdown in the second quarter when graduate senior Dion Golatt, Jr. (Largo, MD) connected with redshirt sophomore Kyle Parker (Bowie, MD) for a 14-yard reception TD with 1:08 left. However, on the extra point attempt, the Bulldog’s kick was blocked and taken back for 97-yards for two additional points, as SVSU would carry a 23-6 lead over Bowie State at intermission.
Unfortunately, it would not be Bowie State’s day as the Bulldogs struggled on both sides of the ball. The Cardinals scored on back-to-back possessions to start the second half and never looked back. A 14-yard reception TD for redshirt senior Morgan Scroggins (Baltimore, MD) would be the last time the Bulldogs scored (30-12) in the contest as SVSU added two more, including a 26-yard field goal and rushing TD in the fourth.
Golatt, Jr. finished 28-of-44 in pass completions for 313 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. The Bulldog’s rushing unit was limited to just 47-yards with redshirt sophomore Sam Doku (Silver Spring, MD) contributing 23 of those rushing yards on nine carries. Redshirt junior Keshane Hinckley (Laurel, MD) had eight catches for 84 yards.
The Bulldogs combined for 360 yards, featuring 313 through the air while SVSU produced 417 yards of total offense, of which 323 of those yards were on the ground.
Redshirt senior Joshua Pryor (Baltimore, MD) finished with a team-high nine tackles to lead the Bulldog’s defense while junior Corey Shell (Baltimore, MD) and redshirt junior Shaun Tolbert (Baltimore, MD) both recorded seven tackles apiece.
Next week, the Bulldogs will remain on the road when Bowie State travels to face Shaw on Saturday, Sept. 17 at Durham County Memorial Stadium. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
For the most to-date information on Bowie State University Athletics and its 13 varsity sports teams, please visit www.bsubulldogs.com.