RALEIGH, NC – Senior quarterback Steven Williams broke the Livingstone career passing completions record Saturday, but the Blue Bears fell to the Shaw Bears 54-3.
Livingstone fell to 0-9 overall and 0-6 in the conference with the loss while Shaw improved to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the CIAA with the victory.
The Blue Bears didn't get off on the right foot to start the game as the Shaw Bears took the opening kickoff back 92 yards for a touchdown to go up 7-0 less than 10 seconds into the contest. Livingstone's went three and out on their first offensive possession and punted back to the Bears. Shaw started with the ball on the Livingstone 48-yard line and took the ball to the endzone on four plays in 1:28 to go up 14-0.
Livingstone's ensuing drive went only one yard in four plays and the Blue Bears turned the ball over on downs after a botched snap caused freshman kicker Jordan Beckham not to be able to get the punt off. The Blue Bear defense, however, picked up the offense as on the very next play, sophomore defensive back Devonta Harmon picked off a Shaw pass in the endzone for a touchback.
Despite the interception by the Blue Bear defense, the offense for the Blue Bears couldn't capitalize. On the second play from scrimmage, Williams fumbled and Shaw had the ball at the Livingstone 18-yard line. Shaw took three rushing plays to get to the enzone for the touchdown. The extra point attempt failed and the Bears led 20-0.
After giving up 20 points in the first eight minutes of the contest, the Blue Bear defense buckled down and nullified any further attempts by Shaw to score. Harmon picked off his second pass of the game with just over seven minutes remaining in the first half, but the Blue Bears were forced to punt.
Livingstone got on the scoreboard in their next possession. Shaw fumbled the ball at their own 10-yard line and the Blue Bears recovered. Livingstone ran three plays gaining only one yard, but Beckham converted a 26-yard field goal to cut the Shaw lead to 20-3. With 44 seconds remaining in the half, Shaw attempted a 34-yard field goal, but it hit the right upright and the score remained 20-3 at the half.
The Blue Bears got the opening possession of the second half, but could not get the half started on the right foot. Livingstone took three plays but moved backwards six yards. On the ensuing punt by Beckham on fourth down the Bear defense blocked the punt and the ball eventually was knocked out of the back of the endzone for a safety to put Shaw up 22-3.
On the free kick following the safety the Bears brought the ball back 57 yards to the Livingstone 31-yard line. Shaw needed only four plays to move the ball into the endzone for a touchdown. The extra-point attempt failed and Shaw led 28-3. Livingstone's next possession stalled after only three plays and the Blue Bears punted the ball away. On the second play for the Bears on the ensuing drive, Shaw broke off a 33-yard run to the Livingstone six yard line. Three plays later the Bears were in the endzone for a touchdown. The extra-point try was blocked by freshman defensive back Sebastian Hepburn. The remainder of the third was scoreless.
Shaw started the fourth quarter capping off a drive they started in the third with a touchdown. The Bears attempted a two-point conversion, but failed to go up 40-3. Shaw put up another score on their next possession and the two-point conversion was successful and Shaw was up 48-3. With less than five minutes remaining, instead of running out the clock, the Bears took another drive in for a score and led 54-3, which was the final score.
Livingstone ran 66 plays for a total of 99 yards Saturday. Williams finished with three completions for 48 yards.
Livingstone will finish out the 2009 season with a home game Saturday, October 31 against the Fayetteville State Broncos. Saturday's contest will be senior day. The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
