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Durham, Durham County

Durham: Bluefield State holds off Shaw 45-42 on Homecoming

Bluefield State won 45-42 at Durham County Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Shaw is 4-6 (2-6 CIAA).

ConfirmedThe main facts are confirmed by official or first-hand sources.

By Triangle Local Staff · Published

The downtown Durham skyline under an overcast sky

File photo: Discover Durham (CC BY 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons.

What we know

Confirmed

  • Bluefield State beat Shaw 45-42 on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, at Durham County Memorial Stadium in Durham. Shaw's schedule lists the game as Homecoming.Confirmed by Shaw Athletics 2026 football schedule; Bluefield State Athletics recap
  • The line score was Bluefield State 14-10-21-0 and Shaw 7-14-7-14. Bluefield State led 24-21 at half and 45-28 after three quarters. Shaw scored 14 in the fourth and pulled within three late.Confirmed by Bluefield State Athletics recap
  • After the game, Shaw is 4-6 overall and 2-6 in the CIAA. Bluefield State is 1-8 and 1-6.Confirmed by Shaw Athletics schedule and cumulative statistics; Bluefield State Athletics schedule; CIAA football standings
  • Rishon Holmes threw 3 touchdown passes and ran for 3 scores, including runs of 67 and 43 yards. The visitor recap lists him with 158 rushing yards.Confirmed by Bluefield State Athletics recap
  • Shaw out-passed Bluefield State 242-172. Bluefield State had 480 total yards to Shaw's 446.Confirmed by Bluefield State Athletics recap; Shaw Athletics 2026 cumulative statistics

What happened

Bluefield State beat Shaw 45-42 on Saturday at Durham County Memorial Stadium in Durham, the Bears' Homecoming game.

Shaw's schedule and season statistics list the home team at 4-6 and 2-6 in the CIAA. Bluefield State's schedule and the CIAA table list that visitor at 1-8 and 1-6.

The opponent recap has Bluefield State ahead 24-21 at halftime and 45-28 after three quarters. Shaw scored 14 in the fourth and got within three late.

Rishon Holmes threw for 3 touchdowns and ran for 3, including scoring runs of 67 and 43 yards, Bluefield State's recap says. That page lists him with 158 rushing yards.

Shaw out-passed Bluefield State 242-172. Bluefield State had 480 yards to Shaw's 446. Those team lines are on the visitor recap and on Shaw's cumulative statistics.

This site is not Shaw Athletics.

Photos

Text-only. No athletics or outlet photos are used here.

Why it matters

Shaw is Durham's CIAA football program. Saturday's Homecoming loss dropped the Bears to 4-6 and 2-6.

Sources

  1. 2026 Football Schedule (vs Bluefield State L, 42-45, Homecoming, Durham County Memorial Stadium; season record 4-6, 2-6 CIAA, L5; kickoff listed 1 p.m. on the grid)

    Official sourcePublished by Shaw Athletics · Checked Nov 1, 2026, 10:20 AM

  2. 2026 Football Cumulative Statistics (4-6, 2-6; vs Bluefield St. L 42-45; Shaw 446 yards and 242 passing; Bluefield State 480 yards and 172 passing)

    Official sourcePublished by Shaw Athletics · Checked Nov 1, 2026, 10:20 AM

  3. Big Blue Holds Off Shaw in 45-42 Victory (game recap, Oct. 31, 2026: Durham, NC; 45-42; line 14-10-21-0 / 7-14-7-14; led 24-21 at half and 45-28 in the third; Holmes 3 passing TDs and 3 rushing TDs, 158 rush yards, TD runs of 67 and 43; Shaw 14 in the fourth and within three late; total yards 480-446; pass yards 172-242; recap body 1-8, 1-6 CIAA; header 1-7, 1-5 omitted)

    Official sourcePublished by Bluefield State Athletics · Checked Nov 1, 2026, 10:20 AM

  4. 2026 Football Schedule (at Shaw W, 45-42, 1 p.m. CIAA; season record 1-8, 1-6; page lists the site as Raleigh, which conflicts with Shaw's Durham County Memorial Stadium line and the recap dateline)

    Official sourcePublished by Bluefield State Athletics · Checked Nov 1, 2026, 10:20 AM

  5. 2026 Football Standings (Shaw 2-6, 4-6, L5; Bluefield State 1-6, 1-8, W1)

    Official sourcePublished by Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association · Checked Nov 1, 2026, 10:20 AM

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