D2-CFB Game Preview: Fayetteville State Broncos (2-3) vs. Bowie State Bulldogs (1-3)

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Venue & Game Info

Stadium: Bulldog Stadium (capacity ~2,500)

Location: Bowie, Maryland

Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM ET

Broadcast: HBCU GO / CIAA Network / ESPN+ simulcast

Special Note: Heroes Day & Gold Rush at Bowie State, honoring military personnel, first responders, educators, and healthcare workers

Weather Forecast (Bowie, MD)

Conditions: Partly sunny, mild fall afternoon

Temperature: ~72°F at kickoff, cooling into the upper 60s by evening

Wind: 5–9 mph

Impact: Excellent football weather; minimal effect on passing/kicking

Injury Report

Fayetteville State Broncos:

QB C. Williams – Probable (ankle soreness)

RB Malik Brown – Questionable (hamstring)

Bowie State Bulldogs:

QB J. Harris – Probable (shoulder soreness)

WR Samuel Graham – Probable (knee bruise; also standout DB, CIAA Defensive Back of the Week multiple times in 2025)

Key Player Matchups

QB C. Williams (FSU) vs Bowie State Secondary

Williams has been efficient in FSU’s 2–0 CIAA start, but Bowie’s defense is among the stingiest in the league.

RB Malik Brown (FSU) vs LB Jaden Brown (BSU)

Brown is FSU’s workhorse; Jaden Brown leads BSU in tackles.

QB J. Harris (BSU) vs FSU Pass Rush

Harris has struggled under pressure; FSU’s front seven averages multiple sacks per game.

WR Jamari Johnson (BSU) vs CB Marcus Hall (FSU)

Johnson is BSU’s top target; Hall is FSU’s best cover corner.

Recent Team Form

Fayetteville State (2–3 overall, 2–0 CIAA)

W 51–20 vs Elizabeth City State

W 34–14 vs Virginia State

L 49–19 @ North Carolina Central

L 31–24 @ UNC Pembroke

L 10–0 vs Benedict

Offense: 29.8 PPG Defense: 27.6 PPG

Bowie State (1–3 overall, 0–1 CIAA)

L 28–21 vs Winston‑Salem State

W 17–16 vs Livingstone

L 36–14 @ Delaware State

L 23–7 @ Shippensburg

Offense: 14.8 PPG Defense: 28.0 PPG

Series History

All‑time: Series tied 4–4 since 2009

Recent:

2024: Fayetteville State 24–21 (home)

2021: Bowie State 17–7 (CIAA Championship)

2019: Bowie State 23–7 (CIAA Championship)

Trend: These two programs have met three times in the CIAA Championship since 2017, with Bowie holding a 2–1 edge.

ATS (Against the Spread):

Fayetteville State: 3–2 ATS last 5

Bowie State: 1–4 ATS last 5

Historical Betting Results:

FSU covered in 2024’s 24–21 win

Bowie has failed to cover in 3 of last 4 CIAA games

Projected Score: Fayetteville State 27 – Bowie State 17

Game Odds

Fayetteville State Broncos            – 6.5

Bowie State Bulldogs                     47.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 3, 2025