WILSON, N.C. – The Barton football team (0-2) suffered a 23-13 loss to Shaw (1-1) Saturday evening in the Bulldogs' 2026 home opener at Electric Supply Company Field and Truist Stadium.

The Bears' Trey Thorpe (Cherry Hill, N.J.) rushed for a game-high 114 yards and a touchdown and Shaw used two rushing scores in the second half to cap off back-to-back touchdown drives of over 70 yards on their way to the win.

Shaw's Landon Melton (Durham, N.C.) scored the game-winning touchdown on a nine-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter. 

Barton sophomore quarterback Nazir Garrett (Henderson, N.C.) hit junior wideout Tyler Davis (Fayetteville, N.C.) for a 23-yard touchdown pass with just under five minutes remaining in the third period to give the Bulldogs the short-lived advantage.

Barton had rallied from a 10-0 deficit by scoring 13 consecutive points including a safety but Shaw responded in the final frame.

Shaw held a 379-285 advantage in total yards while Barton did manage four quarterback sacks and were led by sophomore linebacker Sean-Jacob Bethea (Wake Forest, N.C.) with 13 tackles including 2.5 takedowns for a loss.

Barton remains at home to take on Bluefield College next Saturday, September 12, at 2:00 p.m., while Shaw hosts Ferrum in Durham, N.C., next Saturday beginning at 2:00 p.m., as well.