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The Bowie State University football team was riding a five-game winning streak and was the only unbeaten team in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association two weeks ago. But the Bulldogs lost their second game in a row on Saturday, dropping a 14-12 decision at Virginia State.

The Bulldogs ended their season at 6-4 overall and 5-2 in the CIAA, and the loss may have, effectively, ended the Bulldogs' chances at advancing to the NCAA Division II playoffs.

The NCAA divides Division II into four Super Regionals, with the top-10 teams voted upon on a weekly basis. Teams in conferences without an automatic bid must finish within the top six in the final Super Regional rankings to advance to the Division II playoffs.

The Bulldogs were ranked eighth in Super Regional One heading into Saturday's loss. The Bulldogs dropped out of the latest rankings, which were released Monday. But the Bulldogs' opponent in the CIAA Championship Game, Fayetteville, was ranked No. 10 with a 7-3 record after winning five in a row.

Advancing to the title game was an adventure, as the Bulldogs finished in a three-way tie in the CIAA East Division and had to go to a coin-flip tiebreaker with Virginia Union and Elizabeth City State. Bowie State University Interim Athletic Director Arlene Creek was the Bulldogs' representative, and her coin came up tails, while Virginia Union and Elizabeth City State's representatives came up with heads.

Bulldogs' coach Damon Wilson said he felt good vibes heading into the tiebreaker.

"It's definitely a first for me," Wilson said of the scenario. "But I think the guys and the team deserve the opportunity to compete in the conference championship. They had to decide it on a coin flip, but we put ourselves in a position on the field during the season to have a chance at a conference championship."

Wilson said the program did a lot of growing over the past two weeks.

"I think it's been great these past two weeks," he said. "I say that because it's given me an opportunity to have reference points for our team as far as teaching them life lessons as well as football, and how the two intertwine. It's great as a coach, you can compete and teach as well as accomplish your goal."

The Bowie State-Fayetteville State game has the makings of a good matchup. The Broncos and Bulldogs are ranked No. 3 and 4 in the CIAA, respectively, in scoring offense and Nos. 5 and 6, respectively, in total offense. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 1 in the league in total defense, while the Broncos are No. 2.

The two teams met Sept. 12 with the Broncos beating the Bulldogs,

30-20. Bowie State tallied more than 500 yards of offense in that game, but turned the ball over five times.

Bulldogs' leading rusher Rodney Webb has 819 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Sterling Grant-Jones and Terence Peete lead the defense, with 57 and 51 tackles, respectively, while Oxon Hill High School graduate Kenneth Turner has a team-high five interceptions.

Fayetteville State's Calvin Harris and Richard Medlin have combined for 1,237 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns this season. Linebacker Marcos Esquivel is one of the CIAA's top defensive players with 88 tackles, including 7 1/2 sacks among his 19 tackles for losses.

E-mail Terron at thampton@gazette.net.