By Dennis Davidson

dennis.davidson@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Livingstone faces a tough foe on Saturday at Fayetteville State and head coach Daryl Williams has a bigger problem than that:

The three Livingstone quarterbacks who have seen action this season are “banged up,” according to Williams, including Alexis Archie, who started last week in the 34-19 loss at Winston-Salem State.

Archie, a North Rowan High School product, completed 20 of 47 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns in his first start last Saturday against the Rams. He also had three interceptions and suffered an injury to his shoulder.

Freshman Miles Hayes has started most of the season and junior Xavier Longerbeam has been there in relief, but he, too, was injured against Shaw on Oct. 13.

“We just don’t know at this point, who’ll be in there,” said Williams, of his quarterbacks. “Hayes is still wearing a boot, Longerbeam is in a boot and Archie hasn’t taken a rep in practice all week.

“Archie has been at practice, but just hasn’t taken a rep,” continued Williams. “We’re trying to rest him.”

Sophomore Ryan Williams, who started one game in 2017, may the next man up, if no one else can go. Bryan Digsby, a red-shirt sophomore, came into Livingstone as a quarterback but has moved to fullback. But Digsby could also be an option.

“We’ll come up with something by 2 p.m. on Saturday,” said Coach Williams. “Somebody will be ready by game time. We’re going to be alright.”

Against Winston-Salem State, the Blue Bears led, 7-6, in the second quarter, but couldn’t contain the Rams’ All-CIAA running back — Kerrion Moore.

Moore rushed for 154 yards on 21 carries and two scores. Most of his damage was done in the final three quarters and Moore, a senior, averaged 7.3 yards per carry.

“That kid (Moore) is the real deal,” added Coach Williams. “He should get a shot to play on Sundays (in the NFL).”

Fayetteville State is 5-1 overall and 4-0 in the league’s Southern Division. Livingstone is 2-5 and 0-4. The Blue Bears have lost four straight games after a 2-1 start to the season. The Broncos have won four in a row, including an impressive 70-6 win over Johnson C. Smith.

Livingstone lost at home to FSU, 28-26, last season and hasn’t defeated the Broncos since 2015, a 42-35 overtime victory, also in Salisbury. The Blue Bears won on the game’s last play, an interception by Billy Moore near the goal line.