The Trojans scored ten points in the fourth quarter forcing overtime, then running back Lamont Britt (R-Fr./ Norfolk, VA) scored on a 4-yard rushing touchdown giving Virginia State a 26-20 upset win against Bowie State University on Saturday, October 13th in Bowie, MD.
VSU racked up 422 total yards, picked up 22 first downs, and had 41 rushing attempts for 221 rushing yards; all season-highs for the Trojans' offense. Running backs Bryan Jones (Jr./ Hayward, CA) and Lamont Britt both scored rushing touchdowns, while wide receiver Jacob Kellam, Jr. (R-Jr./ Virginia Beach, VA) caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jarred Battle (Sr./ Norfolk, VA) with 1:02 left in the fourth quarter sending the game into overtime.
After a rough first drive that ended in an interception for the VSU offense, Bowie State quickly took a 6-0 lead on a 9-yard touchdown early in the first quarter. The point after attempt was blocked by VSU linebacker Bryce Willoughby (Sr./ Fort Washington, MD).The Trojans were scoreless in the first quarter but collected 128 total yards. VSU's Kenay Hawks led the rushing attack early picking up 48-yards on five rushes. Bryan Jones caught three passes for a total of 15 yards, while Lamont Britt caught a game-long 29-yard pass completion all in the opening quarter.
The VSU offense relied on their rushing attack in the second quarter looking for their first points of the game. After five straight rushing plays, the Trojans were finally in scoring range setting up first and goal from the Bulldogs 9-yard line. After two rushes for no yards gained and a 3-yard pass completion to Alan Anderson (R-Sr./ Emporia, VA), VSU's place kicker Devonte Hunt (Jr./ Norfolk, VA) connected on a 24-yard field goal attempt at the 9:07 mark in the second quarter. Hunt was called upon again later in the quarter but his 22-yard attempt was blocked by the Bowie State defense. With under a minute remaining in the first half, VSU defensive lineman Ronald Lewis (R-So./ Virginia Beach, VA) recovered a fumble by the BSU quarterback on the Bowie State 23-yard line. With 50 seconds left in the first half, Bryan Jones caught a 7-yard pass then punched in a 2-yard rushing touchdown giving the Trojans a 10-6 lead over the Bulldogs going into halftime.
Bowie State dominated the third quarter racking up 143 total yards of offense. On their opening drive, BSU's Jared Johnston threw a 46-yard touchdown to Maxie Stevens and reclaimed the lead 13-10. BSU's Keith Brown capped an eight plays, 64-yard drive with a one yard score with 6:19 left in the third quarter. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 20-10 lead midway through the third quarter.
The Trojans began the fourth quarter with a 30-yard field goal by Devonte Hunt. Hunt nailed his second field goal of the game at the 13:55 mark in the fourth quarter cutting the lead to seven points. VSU's defense held off the Bulldogs surge with quality tackles. Bowie State failed to add any points to their lead, leaving a window of opportunity for the Trojans to send the game into overtime.
VSU's defensive lineman Rontrelle Knockett (Sr./ Fort Barnwell, NC) blocked a 38-yard field goal attempt at the 1:49 mark in the fourth quarter. The Trojans took over on their own 38-yard line looking to tie the game up. Quarterback Jarred Battle went a perfect 4-4 passing on the Trojans final drive of the fourth quarter. Battle threw two completions to Corey Young (Sr./ Virginia Beach, VA) for 14 yards, then threw a 23-yard completion to Ja'von Smallwood (Fr./ Virginia Beach, VA) advancing to the Bulldogs 25-yard line. With a 1:02 remaining in the game Battle threw a 25-yard touchdown to wide receiver Jacob Kellam, Jr. Kicker Devonte Hunt nailed the extra point attempt and with just over a minute left in the game the score was finally tied at 20-20.
The momentum quickly shifted favoring the visiting Trojans on Bowie State University's Homecoming. BSU had time for one last drive attempting to create magic, similar to VSU's but once again the defensive pressure of the Trojans forced an interception on the final play of the fourth quarter. Defensive back Devonte Piggott (R-Fr./ Woodbridge, VA) caught the BSU throw to the end zone boosting the Trojans confidence. Virginia State scored ten points in the final quarter and held Bowie State to zero points. Both teams went into the overtime session tied at 20-20.
Virginia State won the overtime coin toss and chose to go on defense first. The Bulldogs offense went four-and-out collecting no yards due to the stingy Trojan defense. Running back Lamont Britt took his first rush of the overtime session 21-yards setting up first and goal from the 4-yard line. On his next carry, Britt carried the entire Trojan nation into the end zone for a game-winning 4-yard rushing touchdown. The Trojans defeated the Bulldogs in overtime for the second consecutive year and have won the last four meetings.
VSU quarterback Jarred Battle completed 21 of 32 attempts for 201 total yards and the game-tying touchdown throw with just over a minute left in the fourth quarter. Bryan Jones led the Trojans in rushing yardage (54) and also in receiving (7-39). Tyler Wilson recorded 15 carries for 45 total yards and Lamont Britt scored the game winning touchdown and added 6 rushes for 37 yards. Corey Young pitched in with 5 receptions for 27 yards and place kicker Devonte Hunt had his best game of the season converting on two made field goals (24, 30).
Defensively, linebacker Bandon Robinson (So/ Mechanicsville, VA) hit double-digits with 11 total tackles (5 solo, 6 assisted), while Justin Carr (Sr./ Richmond, VA) and Rashad Vesprey (Sr./ Brooklyn, NY) both had six tackles each. VSU's Andrew Faison, Jr. (R-So./ Chester, VA) had two tackles for a loss and three Trojans recorded sacks against the Bulldogs quarterback; Ronald Lewis, Darrien Jones (So./ Cary, NC) and Dominique Moore (Sr./ Odenton, MD) all had sacks.
The Trojans (3-4) won their last two games against CIAA Divisional opponents and will host Lincoln University for their 2012 Homecoming on Saturday, October 20th in Rogers Stadium.
