Bowie State Bulldogs football team win in season opener

Following a season where they won their first CIAA Championship, the Bowie State Bulldogs football team started the 2019 season with a 34-20 win on the road against American International College. The win is the Bulldog’s fifth straight regular season win continued from their four-game win streak to end the 2018 season.

The Bulldogs got off to a rough start on offense with junior quarterback Gaston Cooper under center. Cooper was benched after going 5/16 passing for 38 yards, 0 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He was replaced by junior Ja’Rome Johnson who went 7/15 passing for 58 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception.

The Bulldogs offense was powered by their running game as they rushed for 335 yards on 53 attempts with quarterback Ja’Rome Johnson leading the team in rushing with 195 yards on 18 attempts and a touchdown. Senior running back Derrick Kittrell ran for 95 yards on 21 attempts scoring two touchdowns.

The Bowie State defense played very well getting four sacks, 17 tackles for loss, two interceptions, six pass breakups and a forced fumble. Redshirt senior linebacker Anthony Howard finished the game with 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.

The Bulldogs will travel to Raleigh, North Carolina next week to face the Bears of Shaw University.