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The Bowie State University football team began its season by falling behind Seton Hill University early and failing to capitalize on multiple opportunities deep in Griffins' territory in a 20-14 loss on Saturday in Greensburg, Pa.

The Bulldogs outgained Seton Hill, 313-242, but the Bulldogs were done in by their inability to score in the red zone.

Bowie State's first possession ended with a 30-yard loss on a fourth-down play from its own 37-yard line. Seton Hill quickly took advantage, using two plays to punch the ball into the end zone on a 4-yard run by R.J. Butler.

On their second possession, the Bulldogs drove from their 41-yard line to the Seton Hill 2, but kicker Michael Gagne's 20-yard field goal attempt hit the right goalpost, keeping Bowie State scoreless.

Early in the second quarter, Bowie State had a first down on the Seton Hill 16-yard line, but wide receiver Dominique Budd lost 10 yards and fumbled the ball, and the Griffins recovered.

The Bulldogs had an 11-play drive later in the second quarter that moved them to the Seton Hill 14-yard line. But once again a fumble thwarted Bowie State's momentum. The Bulldogs lost 17 yards after Reginald Berry fumbled on a second down play. Budd recovered the ball at the Seton Hill 31, and a Seton Hill penalty put Bowie State at the Griffins' 26-yard line. But quarterback Andre Johnson (Surrattsville High) threw an incomplete pass on third and 22 play. Johnson ran for 14 yards on fourth down, forcing the Bulldogs to turn the ball over on downs.

Tyrae Reid came on to play quarterback for Bowie State's final possession of the first half and helped guide the Bulldogs' offense deep into Seton Hill territory again. Reid completed a 13-yard pass to James Proctor (Suitland High) that took Bowie State to the Seton Hill 16-yard line with 8 seconds left in the half. Reid then hit Budd for nine yards, but time ran out before the Bulldogs could run another play.

Seton Hill scored on the opening possession of the third quarter on a 6-yard pass from D.J. Lenehan to Anthony Armstead.

Bowie State got its first points in the third quarter after Aaron Henderson (Oxon Hill High) intercepted Lenehan at the Seton Hill 36-yard line. Johnson completed a 34-yard pass to Ridwan Cole (Bladensburg High) that set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Ramono Flowers (Largo High). Gagne's extra point left Bowie State trailing, 14-7.

Seton Hill extended its lead to 20-7 in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter as Lennehan hit Tyler McIntosh for a 21-yard touchdown pass.

The Bulldogs once again drove deep into Seton Hill territory, as Reid tossed 19-yard passes to Reginald McIntyre and Proctor, setting up a first down at the Griffins' 14-yard line. Tariq Jones lost four yards on two carries before Reid found Cole for 13 yards on third down, giving Bowie State a fourth and one at the Seton Hill 5-yard line. But Seton Hill denied the Bulldogs, as Reid was stopped for no gain on fourth down.

On its ensuing possession, Seton Hill was pinned deep in its own end and was forced to punt. Bowie State drove 39 yards in five plays, capped by a 27-yard touchdown pass from Reid to Gregory Jackson (Gwynn Park High).

Flowers finished with 72 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Reid completed 11 of 14 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown. Cole had three catches for 61 yards and Proctor added four catches for 46 yards. Delano Johnson led the Bowie State defense with 12 tackles, including eight solos. Bakarie Bayoh (Charles H. Flowers High) and Tione Nance each had sacks. The Bulldogs were penalized nine times for 198 yards.

The Bulldogs are back in action at 6 p.m. next Saturday at Morgan State University in Baltimore.