Shaw Spoils Saint Paul’s Homecoming Hoorah

Lawrenceville, VA – Second year Head Coach Darrell Asberry piloted his Shaw University Bears to Russell Athletic Field to play the Tigers of Saint Paul’s College. The Bears silenced the shouts of returning SPC alumni and put a picket fence around their first place position in the CIAA’s Western Division with a 26 – 9 triumph over the Tigers. Shaw stretches their winning streak to three games as they deservingly escort a record of 4 – 2 Overall, 3 – 0 CIAA, and 1 – 0 Division.

 
In the first quarter, both team’s first possession occurred in the format of “three and out.” At the start of the Tiger’s second offensive possession, Shaw’s #92 Louis Ellis (Junior / Defensive Lineman / Recreation) attacked SPC’s #12 Jean Dessein for his first sack. On the very next play, #6 Gerard Jones (Junior / Strong Safety / Psychology) jolted through the SPC’s offensive line to surprise Dessein with a thunderous takedown. The Bears’ superb defensive efforts heavily aided in forcing the Tigers to punt on a fourth and long twenty-one yards conversion. At the 4:44 mark, #4 Travis Robinson (Sophomore / Quarterback / Biology) connected with # 8 DeAndre Okanji (Sophomore / Wide Receiver / Business Management) for a 25 yard touchdown pass. The Bears’ first scoring drive consisted of three plays for 32 yards and 1:16 used. For the majority of the second quarter, Shaw and SPC traded a number of incomplete passes and bumbling, tumbling punts. Just before time expired to initiate halftime, the Tigers’ #39 Nelson Davalos booted a successful 37 yard field goal. Shaw led 7 – 3 at the intermission.

 
At the top of the third quarter, the Bears’ Jones stepped in front of a Tiger attempted completion for his first interception of the game. Shaw was unable to convert the turnover into a scoring opportunity, but on the next drive, Robinson rocketed a 37 yard touchdown pass to #9 Lenell King (Sophomore / Wide Receiver / Business Management). Seven minutes and three seconds later, Robinson returned for completions to King and #34 Alan Atwater (Junior / Running Back / Mass Communication) to place Shaw deep inside the SPC red zone. Then, go-to-guy Atwater powered his way into the end zone for the 10 yard touchdown run. As the third quarter aged into the fourth quarter, the Bears galloped out in front 19 – 3 with 10:50 remaining in the game. The Tigers forced a turnover when Cornerback #22 Jerome Mann snatched an interception. Nevertheless, SPC’s drive started off with Shaw’s Ellis and #38 Tony Green (Sophomore / Defensive Back / Adapted Physical Education) tag-teaming Dessein for the Bears fourth sack of the day. With the Bears’ next possession of the pigskin, Robinson set fire to SPC’s secondary with consecutive completions as Shaw’s talented register of running backs bruised and backed the Tigers’ defensive front down to the 20 yard line. From there it was #83 C. J. Rinehart (Wide Receiver) that streaked away from his defender to catch the 20 yard touchdown pass from, who else, yes you guessed it….Robinson. The Shaw defense was just five plays shy of not allowing the Tigers to strike for an offensive touchdown. However, at the 1:29 mark, Dessein launched a lingering lob to #19 Jamal Freeman for a 36 yard touchdown.

 
The Shaw University Bears’ offense totaled 163 rushing yards and 204 passing yards for 20 first downs. Pioneering the Bears’ productive path was #4 Travis Robinson (Sophomore / Quarterback / Biology) passing for 204 yards, three touchdowns on 13 of 28 attempts. Leading in rushing was #34 Alan Atwater (Junior / Running Back / Mass Communication) with 92 yards on 15 carries for one touchdown. The top receiver was #9 Lenell King (Sophomore / Wide Receiver / Business Management) taking hold of three catches for 55 yards and one touchdown. As for Shaw’s Department of Defense, they stingingly held the Tigers to 53 rushing yards and harassed their offense for four sacks, nine pass break-ups, one interception, and 10 forced SPC punts. They were led by #42 Tiquan Collins (Sophomore / Linebacker / Mass Communication) with five total tackles (0.5 for two yards loss) and one pass break-up.

 
Feel the 2007 Homecoming Fever? Well, be sure to come support your Shaw University Bears as they take on Livingstone College Blue Bears on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at Durham County Stadium. The pre-game fun filled festivities are scheduled to begin at noon as the packed-with-excitement football contest begins at 4:00 p.m.

 
For a schedule of activities and to watch your Shaw University Bears LIVE on Bears Broadband Channel visit http://www.shaw.edu or http://www.jarvistv.com/shaw/

*** Department of Sports Information ***