Bowie State football falls to Valdosta State, 41-17, in NCAA Division II quarterfinals
Bowie State was held to 221 yards of total offense in a 41-17 loss to host Valdosta State in an NCAA Division II quarterfinal Saturday.
The No. 5 Blazers (11-1) took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and used four scoring drives that spanned both halves to take a 38-10 lead with 4:15 left in the third quarter. The No. 10 Bulldogs (12-2) scored 10 points in the second quarter and seven points in the fourth quarter in their first appearance in an NCAA Division II quarterfinal.
Bowie State senior quarterback Ja’rome Johnson completed 14 of 28 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns to senior Isaiah Rainey-Nix (three catches for 50 yards) and sophomore Kwincy Hall. Harlon Hill Trophy finalist Calil Wilkins was held to just 15 carries for 62 yards.
Alen Omerhodzic kicked a 35-yard field goal with 13:35 left in the first half for the Bulldogs, who went 4-for-13 on third down and earned nine penalties for 70 yards.
Junior quarterback Ivory Durham threw four touchdown passes, including three to graduate student Brian Saunds, to lead Valdosta State, which reached the Division II semifinals for the sixth time in program history. VSU racked up 533 total yards, including 348 through the air and 185 on the ground.
