Staff report

DURHAM — Former Salisbury High standout JyMikaah Wells scored two early touchdowns for Livingstone College’s football team, but Shaw rallied for a 24-17 homecoming victory on Saturday.

It was an even matchup between two of the CIAA’s middle-of-the-pack teams. Livingstone (5-4, 3-3) managed 278 yards of offense. Shaw (6-4, 4-3) also had 278.

Wells scored on a 9-yard pass from De’Angelo Austin and a 1-yard plunge, and Jason Zapata’s PATs gave the Blue Bears a 14-0 lead, as the visitors owned the first quarter.

But the second quarter was all Shaw to the delight of 2,057 fans at Durham County Memorial Stadium. Shaw quarterback Christian Peters threw two touchdown passes. Shaw put together two long scoring drives and took advantage of a Livingstone turnover for a short-field score. By halftime, Shaw had taken a 21-14 lead.

The defensive units controlled the second half, as the teams traded field goals.

There was still 11:25 on the clock when Zapata’s 40-yard field goal cut Shaw’s lead to 24-17, but the Blue Bears couldn’t score again.

Shaw held Livingstone to 70 rushing yards for the game, with Wells netting 12 yards on eight carries. Mohamed  Nyanamukenga rushed for 50 yards.

Shaw had three interceptions.

Livingstone got interceptions from Kevin Larkins Jr. and Chancellor Bryant. Terrance McPherson Jr. blocked a punt.

Livingstone will take on Johnson C. Smith next Saturday.