FAYETTEVILLE – Fayetteville State shook off an early deficit and seized control with 31 unanswered points across the second and third quarters, beating Livingstone 38-14 on Saturday at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium. The Broncos improved to 4-3 overall and remained undefeated in CIAA conference play at 4-0, while the Blue Bears fell to 3-3 and 2-2 in league action.
The game began with Livingstone drawing first blood. After a methodical five-play, 44-yard drive, quarterback Elijah Alexander punched in a one-yard touchdown run with 2:52 remaining in the opening quarter. Jason Zapata's extra point gave the Blue Bears a 7-0 advantage.
Fayetteville State answered before the quarter ended. Following a 37-yard completion from Demari Daniels to Kristian Golden that moved the ball to the Livingstone 28, running back Bryce Council capped a six-play, 65-yard march with a four-yard touchdown run with 37 seconds left in the first. John Hernandez-Vargas converted the kick to level the score at 7-7.
The Broncos took their first lead early in the second quarter after capitalizing on a blocked punt. Kadynce Watson blocked Isaac Gallagher's kick at the Livingstone 18, and Brian Seagraves recovered at the Blue Bears' 37. Five plays later, Caden Davis connected with Kavase Towns on a five-yard touchdown pass at the 11:43 mark, putting Fayetteville State ahead 14-7.
With five seconds remaining before halftime, the Broncos extended their lead following a 10-play, 56-yard drive. Daniels found Golden on an eight-yard touchdown strike, and Hernandez-Vargas added the point-after to make it 21-7 at the break.
Fayetteville State opened the second half with a nine-play, 64-yard scoring drive that consumed more than four minutes. Daniels converted a critical fourth-and-three situation with a 23-yard scramble to the Livingstone six-yard line. Two plays later, Wilson Kargbo Jr. hit Braylon Vinson for an 11-yard touchdown pass. Hernandez-Vargas' kick pushed the margin to 28-7 with 10:26 left in the third quarter.
The Broncos scored again just 63 seconds later. Defensive end Aaron Johnson sacked Alexander on third-and-10, forcing a fumble that cornerback Shawn Robinson recovered at the Livingstone 12. On the next snap, Vinson took a handoff 12 yards for a touchdown, stretching the lead to 35-7 at the 9:23 mark.
Livingstone responded immediately with its most explosive sequence of the afternoon. Running back Javen Parker broke free for a 53-yard run to the Fayetteville State 22 on first down. Backup quarterback Alfredo Sotelo then connected with Tavion Jackson for a 21-yard completion to the one-yard line, and Caleb Stokes finished the three-play, 75-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge. Zapata's extra point cut the deficit to 35-14 with 7:43 remaining in the third.
Fayetteville State added a 21-yard field goal from Hernandez-Vargas early in the fourth quarter following an eight-play, 31-yard drive to close out the scoring at 38-14.
Daniels completed 11 of 20 passes for 114 yards and one touchdown while rushing 11 times for 53 yards. Council carried the ball 14 times for 46 yards and a score. Vinson finished with 44 yards and a touchdown on six rushing attempts and added one reception for 11 yards and another score. Golden led all receivers with four catches for 62 yards and a touchdown.
The Broncos controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the contest, racking up seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss. Kaydin Thomas recorded two sacks and two tackles for loss, while Johnson added two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. Keyshawn Monk contributed six tackles and an interception. Ryan Debow recovered a muffed punt in the fourth quarter, and Robinson's fumble recovery set up a touchdown in the third.
Fayetteville State held Livingstone to 206 total yards—65 rushing and 141 passing. The Broncos won the turnover battle 3-0, forced the Blue Bears into 14 third-down attempts and allowed just two conversions, and went a perfect six-for-six in the red zone with five touchdowns and one field goal.
Parker led Livingstone with 91 yards on 13 carries, including the 53-yard burst in the third quarter. Alexander completed six of 14 passes for 106 yards but was sacked five times and threw one interception. Sotelo came on in relief and went two-for-eight for 35 yards. Jackson caught three passes for 52 yards, and Davyn Reid added three receptions for 50 yards.
Defensively, Kenyon Garner paced the Blue Bears with seven tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. Kevin Larkins Jr. recorded eight tackles, while Malachi Adkins and Zavion Lloyd each finished with seven. Jayden Reeder added three tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack.
Fayetteville State outgained Livingstone 294-206 and held a decisive 156-65 edge in rushing yards. The Broncos converted four of 14 third-down opportunities and controlled possession for 33:56 compared to 26:04 for the Blue Bears. Fayetteville State also averaged 4.3 yards per play to Livingstone's 3.6.
The game featured a halftime ceremony honoring former Fayetteville State standout Joshua Williams, who now plays cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs. The university retired his jersey in recognition of his contributions to the program.
Fayetteville State will enjoy a bye week before traveling to face Shaw at 1 p.m. on October 25 at Durham County Stadium. Livingstone returns to action next Saturday, October 18, when it hosts Winston-Salem State at 1 p.m.
Top Performers
Fayetteville State:
- Demari Daniels: 11-of-20 passing, 114 yards, 1 TD; 11 rushes, 53 yards
- Kristian Golden: 4 receptions, 62 yards, 1 TD
- Bryce Council: 14 rushes, 46 yards, 1 TD
- Braylon Vinson: 6 rushes, 44 yards, 1 TD; 1 reception, 11 yards, 1 TD
- Kaydin Thomas: 2 sacks, 2 TFLs
- Aaron Johnson: 2 sacks, 2 TFLs, 1 forced fumble
Livingstone:
Javen Parker: 13 rushes, 91 yards
Elijah Alexander: 6-of-14 passing, 106 yards; 1 rushing TD
Tavion Jackson: 3 receptions, 52 yards
Kenyon Garner: 7 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks
Kevin Larkins Jr.: 8 tackles
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