DURHAM – The year was 1947.  That was the last year the Shaw Bears won a CIAA football Championship.  On the other hand, Fayetteville State has been the dominant team in the league the last two years, winning back-to-back championships.

The Bears nation-leading defense held the Broncos to 192 yards of total offense, leading Shaw to a 10-7 victory before a crowd of 8,468 at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium. 

Fayetteville State (8-3) started the scoring first putting together a four-play 26-yard drive that took 1:47 and was capped off by a Jonathan Autry to Daryl Bright seven-yard touchdown pass and catch and the Broncos went up 7-0.  At that point the Broncos had the momentum and forced the Bears to a three-and-out on the ensuing possession.  Shaw linebacker Walter Wells then caused Bright to fumble William Sanders punt, which was returned 31 yards for a touchdown by Devin Chatman, tying the score at 7-7.

The Bronco defense was as dominate as the Bears,’ sacking quarterback Jermonty Kimbrough eight times with linebacker and corner blitzes.  The Bears were held to 148 yards of total offense and did not score a touchdown on offense.  Both teams went to halftime tied at 7-7.

But Shaw (9-2) would get a break as on the Broncos first possession of the half as Chris Peavy intercepted Autry’s pass at the Bronco 25 and ran it in for an apparent touchdown.  But the Bears were called for an illegal block in the back, nullifying the touchdown and the Bears started first and 10 from the Bronco 25.  Two plays later Kimbrough found Harrison for a 21-yard pass and catch and Shaw had possession first and goal from the one.  The Bears could not score a touchdown and Chester Charles kicked a 21-yard field goal, which put the Bears up 10-7.  Shaw looked to be in business on its next possession and moved the ball to the Bronco 11 as Kimbrough found Harrison for 17 and 35 yards, respectively.  Charles Tubbs then forced Shaw running back Dion McIver to fumble and Eric Blackwell recovered. 

On its next four possessions the Broncos did not move the ball past the Shaw 45.  But the Broncos did start to put together a drive with 6:09 remaining.  That drive stalled at the 27 and Ross McKernan’s 45-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Torrance Nunnally, who ran it back 30 yards for another apparent touchdown.  But another illegal block call against the Bears set nullified the touchdown and the Bears started first and 10 from the Bronco 45.  The Bears then used two minutes and 49 seconds on its next to last possession of the clock before turning it over on downs and giving the Broncos the ball back with 2:16 remaining.

Fayetteville State began its last drive first and 10 from its 25 with 2:16 remaining.  The Broncos began to move the ball as Autry found Dentyl Jackson for 30 yards and a Bronco first down.  A Shaw pass interference on the next play gave the Broncos an automatic first down at the Shaw 30.  The Bear defense then tightened up, as Autry’s pass to Bright was incomplete.  Then Autry lost four yards on a rush and Autry’s third down pass to London Elliott was incomplete setting up fourth down with 1:05 remaining.  On fourth and 14 Autry’s pass to Barry McCauley was incomplete and from there the Bears ran out the clock.

Damon Harrison was named the Bears Player of the game, finishing with six catches for 139 yards.  Anthony Hicks was named Bronco Player of the Game finishing with 11 tackles, six tackles for loss and four sacks.

Both teams will now wait and see if they are in the national playoffs.  The Broncos are currently ranked fifth in the NCAA southeastern division.  The Bears are ranked eighth.  The selection show will take place tomorrow at 1:00 on ESPN News.

Note: Shaw running back Dion McIver came became the first back in Shaw history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season.  He came into the game needing 39 yards and finished with 27 carries for 84 yards.