By Perry Green
AFRO Sports Editor
BSU freshman quarterback Tyrae Reid Jr. completed 10 of 16 passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns against Lincoln on Oct. 3. (Courtesy Photo/ BSU)
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(October 8, 2009) - The Bowie State Bulldogs proved they may have one of the most exciting football teams in the Central Interscholastic Athletic Association as they cruised by the Lincoln University Lions, 51-20, last Saturday (Oct. 3) at Avon Grove High School in West Grove, Pa.
It was the second straight week the Bulldogs (4-2 overall, 2-0 CIAA) scored at least 50 points, while also playing well on defense.
Lions freshman quarterback Laquan Williams experienced just how difficult it is to keep pace with BSU’s offense. The Philadelphia native had the best performance of his budding college career, completing 24 of 44 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns. But Williams was also harassed by the Bulldogs’ defensive unit, tossing three interceptions on the day.
While Bulldogs’ defense performed well, they’re offensive unit played even better, recording 412 total offensive yards. BSU came into last Saturday’s game against Lincoln with the top- ranked rushing attack in the CIAA with an average of 200 yards per game, and left the game still on top with a total of 261 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Bulldogs star tailback Rodney Webb, the CIAA leading rusher, was held to just 14 carries for four yards and a fumble. But where the Lions had success against Webb, they failed against Bowie State’s second tailback Ramono Flowers, who rushed for 102 yards on just six carries. Bulldogs receiver Clifton Budd also contributed to the rushing game, recording 78 yards on just two carries, while teammate Tariq Jones added 64 more rushing yards on eight carries.
“We have number of players who we can count on to run the ball well for us, but I think that’s just a testament to how great our offensive line has been blocking,” BSU head coach Damon Wilson said. “Rodney is our best runner, but we have just as much confidence in Ramono or Tariq or anyone else we may need to call on because we know our guys are doing a great job blocking up front.”
The Bulldogs’ offensive line has done just as good a job blocking for the pass attack as BSU freshman quarterback Tyrae Reid Jr. was sacked only once while completing 10 of 16 passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns against Lincoln. Reid completed a pass to eight different receivers on Oct. 3, proving that the responsibilities of reading and dissecting defensive schemes isn’t too much for digest for the freshman passer.
“Tyrae has shown a lot since he’s been given a chance to play,” coach Wilson told the {AFRO.} “He’s progressing week after week, and it’s showing in the plays he’s making on Saturdays.”
The Bulldogs will need their quarterback to continue his success when they take on one of the best teams in the CIAA, Elizabeth City College (4-2, 2-1 CIAA), on Oct. 10.
“Elizabeth City is good team, but we’re not going to treat this game any more special than our other games,” Coach Wilson told the {AFRO}.
“Our coaching staff has been doing a great job all season breaking down ways to attack our opponents and our players have been right there with them, responding to the game plan. Nothing will change in preparation for this week.”