Bowie State falls on the road in overtime

Bowie State lost its first game on Sept. 24 at Virginia Union. But the loss on Saturday at Virginia State may have been even more painful.

Wideout Dion Futch of Virginia State recovered a fumble by teammate and quarterback Jarred Battle in the end for a touchdown as the host team won, 28-21, in overtime. Bowie State did not score on its only possession in overtime as the hosts came away with the win.

The Bulldogs fell to 3-2 overall and 2-2 in the CIAA with the loss. Virginia State is 3-2 and 2-1. Clifton Budd started at quarterback for Bowie State and was replaced by Andre Johnson in the second quarter.

"We have been playing both quarterbacks this year. I think Andre did pretty well," Bowie State head coach Damon Wilson told Patch on Monday.

Johnson was eight of 17 in the air but was sacked three times. Budd was four of nine for 52 yards.

Largo High graduate Ramono Flowers, a running back, did not play due to a hamstring injury, according to Wilson. "We are pretty deep at that position," Wilson said.

Tariq Jones and Keith Brown each ran for 64 yards for Bowie State. Both of them ran for a touchdown and the other Bowie State touchdown was a run by James Proctor.

Bowie State senior linebacker Delano Johnson of Dunbar High in Baltimore tied his career high with 14 tackles. He also had one of his team's three interceptions. "He did his job," Wilson said of Johnson.

William Bailey, a Bowie High graduate, had one tackle for Bowie State.

Bowie State missed all five of its third down tries and missed on all four fourth-down plays in the first half. The Bulldogs led, 21-14, before Virginia State scored in the closing seconds to force overtime.

Bowie State will play on Thursday night at Fairmont State in West Virginia.