Bears Athletics - Images from Concordia Game

Shaw Overcomes Fumbles, Holds on to Beat Concordia (AL) 28-20

(Raleigh, NC) –Raymond Williams scored two rushing touchdowns, tying the Shaw career record, and the Shaw defense made a critical stop on the Shaw seven yard line to hold on to a 28-20 win over Concordia College of Selma, AL.

Shaw (3-0) suffered four fumbles and one interception while otherwise finding their legs on offense, breaking the 400-yard mark for the first time this season. The Shaw defense held Concordia (1-2) to 251 yards on offense, but allowed the Hornets to score twice in the fourth, making the game much closer that most had expected.

“We underestimated them,” said Shaw Head Coach Darrell Asberry. “Concordia’s a good team. They deserved to win the game. You don’t win with five turnovers. We have a lot of work to do before we think about winning championships.”

The five turnovers consisted of four fumbles, plus an interception. Three of the turnovers occurred in Concordia territory.

Asberry continued, “We found a way to win despite the turnovers. That’s the only good thing you can say. We go back to work on Sunday. This wasn’t the Shaw Bears.”

Shaw got an early wakeup call less than three minutes into the game when T’Chelpio Woods connected with Morris Benton for a 32-yard touchdown strike.

The Bears then mounted a sustained drive, ending in an eight-yard touchdown pass from Travis Robinson to Alberto Johnson. Caleb Reid’s PAT tied the game.

Shaw built the lead to 21-7 by the beginning of the fourth quarter, on the back of a 57-yard Williams rush and an Aaron Ellison, Jr. five-yard touchdown run – putting each of them one off the Shaw career record.

Concordia opened the fourth quarter quickly, scoring only six seconds into the period when Woods and Morris connected for a 19-yard touchdown.

Shaw stretched the lead back to 14 on a 24-yard Williams rush, but saw that lead cut back to eight when Woods completed a 24-yard pass to Jeffrey Ward, but the extra point was blocked.

The Bears then went three-and-out, but still managed to kill over two minutes on the clock. Vincent Pacifico’s punt of 55 yards was downed at the two, leaving the Hornets a 98-yard drive and two-point conversion away from the tie, with over three minutes to go.

The drive went to the Shaw ten-yard line, but two of the three first downs came as a result of penalties against the Bears – one personal four and one pass interference – rather than the strength of the Hornet offense.

On the last drive, Woods went two for ten, including three incomplete passes with the team at the Shaw seven-yard line.

Williams was not the only tying career marks on the night. De’Andre Okonji tied the Shaw career record for receptions with a 25-yard pass from Robinson in the third quarter. Ellison is only one rushing touchdown from tying Williams for the career record.

In addition to his two touchdowns, Williams had 186 yards rushing. Okonji’s four receptions netted 98 yards. Robinson was nine for 18 for 156 yards with one interception and one touchdown, while Brandon Landers was eight for 13 for 90 yards.

Shaw next travels to Lincoln (PA) for their first CIAA contest Saturday, September 19 at 1 p.m. The Bears next play at home on October 3 against cross-town rival St. Augustine’s at 1 p.m.

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