Quinton Toomer would not be denied with 157 rushing yards and two TDs in the 30-15 win over Livingstone
Salisbury, NC - In the inaugural Commemorative Classic, Johnson C. Smith University was victorious 30-15 over Livingstone College Saturday afternoon inside Alumni Memorial Stadium. JCSU improves to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the CIAA, while the Blue Bears fall to 0-6 in the standings and 0-3 in the conference.
The "Commemorative Classic" serves as a vehicle to acknowledge, promote and celebrate the contributions of these two institutions and recognize the historical and cultural significance of the first black college football game played in America in 1892. With the win, JCSU now leads the series 38-21-2 and they have won three of the last four match-ups.
In this contest, Livingstone put points on the scoreboard first with an impressive drive on the ground. LC produced 45 rushing yards on the opening drive and capped it off with a 10 yard touchdown completion from Steven Willams to Christopher Peoples. The Blue Bears had the extra point blocked and led 6-0 early. Livingstone scored for the first time in their last four contests and that was their only touchdown in the first quarter all season.
Junior place kicker
Julius Wright (Fort Worth, TX) split the uprights for a 34 yard field goal to close out the first quarter 6-3. The Blue Bears accounted for the only other points in the first half with a 42 yard field goal by Jordan Beckham. The Golden Bulls were in position to score a touchdown just before halftime, but junior quarterback
Ryan Carter (Charlotte, NC) fumbled as he attempted to scramble across the goal line.
JCSU produced 116 yards of total offense (68 rushing, 48 passing) in the first half. Freshman tailback
Dedrick Anderson (Winston-Salem, NC) had 49 rushing yards off 12 carries and junior receiver
Jeremy Franklin (Casselberry, FL) caught three passes for 21 yards. JCSU trailed at halftime 9-3.
In the second half, JCSU head coach
Steven Aycock had his team refocused. The Golden Bulls took their first lead of the game with an 11 yard touchdown pass from R. Carter to senior receiver
Cory Carter (Tampa, FL) in the right corner of the end zone. Carter connected with sophomore receiver
Rico Poole (Atlanta, GA) for a 35 yard score to put J.C. Smith up 16-10 (JCSU failed on the two-point conversion).
In the fourth quarter, Blue Bears tailback Linwood Jenkins got into the end zone off a six yard pitch to the right side. The kick on the extra point sailed wide right and Livingstone still trailed 16-15. Sophomore tailback
Quinton Toomer (Atlanta, GA) broke loose for two 50-plus yard carries for TDs to put the game out of reach. The first was a 60 yard touchdown sprint with 4:50 remaining, and then a 73 yard dash with 1:05 on the clock.
Toomer finished the game with 157 yards rushing off seven carries and two touchdowns. He was named the Commemorative Classic's Most Outstanding Player, along with Linwood Jenkins of Livingstone who had 167 rushing yards. Carter completed 11 passes off 20 attempts with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Franklin finished with 45 yards receiving off five receptions and 73 yards off three kick returns.
The Golden Bulls will take their two-game winning streak on the road against St. Augustine's College in Raleigh, NC. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 pm inside Broughton High School football stadium.
