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SALISBURY, NC – The Livingstone offense struggled Saturday as the Bowie State Bulldogs picked up their first win of the season, downing the Blue Bears 55-6.
The Blue Bears got the opening kickoff of the contest and managed to gain only two yards over three plays and then punted. The Bulldogs on their opening drive went 36 yards over seven plays in just over three minutes to go up 7-0.
Livingstone's next drive ended on an interception thrown by Levon Stanley after two plays. The pick was returned 34 yards for a touchdown and the Bulldogs led 14-0 half way through the first quarter. The ensuing drive for the Blue Bears was hampered by penalties and after five plays and moving backwards four yards, the Blue Bears punted.
After a Bowie State three and out, sophomore Raymond Mallos came in at quarterback for the Blue Bears. He helped Livingstone drive 45 yards on nine plays with junior running back Jamel Moore capping off the drive with a six-yard touchdown run. The extra point was missed by sophomore Miles Harris and the Blue Bears trailed 14-6.
Bowie State went back up by 15 points on its next drive as they went 60 yards on nine plays for a touchdown. The next Blue Bears series ended with a Mallos interception. With less than two minutes remaining in the half the Bulldogs added another touchdown. The extra point attempt was blocked by sophomore Dorian Edwards and picked up by junior Devonta Harmon around midfield. Harmon ran the ball back to the Bowie State one yard line where he ran out of steam and was tackled just short of putting up two points for the Blue Bears. Bowie State took a 27-6 lead into the half.
The second half started on a down note for the Blue Bears as James Proctor of Bowie State took the opening kickoff back 89 yards for a touchdown and a 34-6 Bulldog lead. The two teams then traded punts on the next two possessions. Livingstone's next drive started with just over 10 minutes left and on the first play sophomore quarterback Curtis Edens fumbled on the nine-yard line which was recovered in the end zone by Bowie State in the end zone for a touchdown and a 41-6 Bulldog lead.
With 4:51 left the Blue Bears started another drive that looked promising but stalled. On fourth down the Blue Bears called a fake punt and junior Bryan Aycoth threw a pass to Devonta Harmon that was batted away and the ball was turned over on downs. Just prior to the end of the third quarter Bowie State scored another touchdown to go up 48-6.
To start the fourth quarter the Blue Bears had another promising drive that got inside the Bowie State 10 yard line. Livingstone went for it on fourth down from the Bowie seven yard line. Edens completed a pass to Jamel Moore, but it was for only two yards and the ball was turned back over to the Bulldogs. Bowie scored one more touchdown in the fourth quarter to reach the final score of 55-6.
Jamel Moore led the Blue Bears on the ground with 22 yards rushing and one touchdown. Curtis Edens completed 10 passes for 62 yards while Raymond Mallos had three completions for 38 yards. Anthony Holland caught six passes for 68 yards. Devonta Harmon led the Blue Bears on the defensive side of the ball with eight tackles. Aaron Williams also recorded seven tackles.
Overall the Blue Bears totaled 144 yards of offense, with 21 yards rushing and 123 yards passing. Bowie State had 323 yards of total offense with 207 yards on the ground and 116 yards through the air.
With the loss the Blue Bears fell to 0-4 on the season. Bowie State improved to 1-3 overall and 1-0 in the conference. Due to CIAA scheduling, the game was a conference contest for the Bulldogs but not for the Blue Bears.
Livingstone will head out on the road next Saturday when it travels to Lawrenceville, VA to compete against the St. Paul's College Tigers at 1 p.m.
