Bluefield, WV – Bluefield State University football held off Shaw University 35-33 on Saturday afternoon at Mitchell Stadium. The Big Blue improve to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in CIAA play.

The Big Blue jumped ahead early after Zaire Riley returned an interception 34 yards for a touchdown on the Bears' opening drive. Later in the first, Brice Koontz connected with Tyler Wilson for a 34-yard touchdown, and the defense followed with a safety to make it 16-7. On the next possession, Ja'Shawn Harris broke free for a 70-yard punt return touchdown, giving the Big Blue a 22-7 lead after one.

In the second quarter, the Bears cut into the lead with a pair of scores, but the Big Blue held a 22-20 advantage going into halftime.

The Big Blue extended its lead in the third after Koontz found RJ Hairston for a 21-yard touchdown to make it 29-26 heading into the fourth. Early in the final period, Koontz connected with Julian Crawley for a 14-yard score to push the lead to 35-26. The Bears scored late to pull within two, but the Big Blue defense held strong to secure the 35-33 victory.

Koontz finished 16-of-26 for 234 yards and three touchdowns. Wilson led the ground game with 119 yards on 18 carries. Hairston paced the receivers with six catches for 106 yards and a touchdown, while Crawley and Brandon Wiley each added a touchdown.

Defensively, Riley's pick-six set the tone early, and Rashad Muhammad led with 11 total tackles (7 solo).

Final: Bluefield State 35, Shaw 33

Up Next: Bluefield State vs. Lincoln (PA), Saturday, October 11th @ 12 p.m.