One of two interceptions by safety Lawyer Montgomery, who also had 11 tackles and a force fumble, but the defense allowed 447 yards
Montgomery, WV - The Johnson C. Smith University football team fell to West Virginia Institute of Technology on Saturday afternoon 49-39 on a wet Martin Field. The Golden Bears, who compete in the NAIA Mid-South Conference, improve to 1-0 in their season debut; while JCSU starts off 0-1.
Both teams got right to work in the first half. WV Tech struck first on their opening drive. Michael Scott completed a 27-yard touchdown pass to Rashard Gould for the game's initial points. The point after attempt gave the Golden Bears a 7-0 lead and capped off a five play, 73-yard drive that lasted just 38 seconds.
JCSU wasted no time responding. After a 34-yard kick return by senior receiver
Kenny Strickland, the Golden Bulls only needed one play to score. Freshman tailback
Dedrick Anderson sprinted 50 yards up the right side into the end zone. Junior place kicker
Julius Wright tied the game with the PAT.
The Golden Bears went three and out on their next two offensive series. JCSU put together a 10 play, 55-yard drive with their next possession that resulted in a 24-yard field goal. The score gave J.C. Smith a 10-7 lead with 2:11 remaining in the first quarter.
WV Tech really struggled on their next drive. Freshman defensive end
Travis Williams sacked the quarterback for a loss of four on first down, followed by an incomplete pass, and then an interception by junior safety
Lawyer Montgomery on third down. The first quarter came to a close with the Golden Bulls ahead 10-7. However, the Golden Bears recaptured the lead and went up 20-10 halfway through the second quarter.
Scott scrambled for a seven yard touchdown to complete an 11-play, 70-yard drive. On their next possession, Scott connected with JuJuan Smith for a 46-yard touchdown pass. Junior quarterback
Ryan Carter helped the Golden Bulls bounced back with a three yard touchdown run to narrow WV Tech's advantage 20-17. Scott retaliated in nine plays for WV Tech with a touchdown strike to Gary Joshway to take a 27-17 lead.
The score would remain the same heading into the locker room at halftime. JCSU got back on top with two touchdowns in the third. Anderson broke another 50+ yard run (52) to set Carter up for a nine yard touchdown dash with 13:48 remaining. The Golden Bulls second TD of the quarter came when Carter found sophomore receiver
Rico Poole in the left corner of the end zone to take a 31-27 lead with four minutes left in the third.
Just before the third period drew to a close and with a steady rainfall, Carter fumbled on a scramble. WV Tech linebacker John Hellsoe recovered the ball and took it in for a touchdown to regain the lead. The Golden Bears converted on a two-point conversion to go ahead 35-31.
JCSU started the fourth quarter with the ball. However, the offense sputtered and turned the ball over on downs. Scott and Smith connected twice for 59 yards, a touchdown, and a 42-31 advantage over JCSU. Both schools scored an additional touchdown to account for the 49-39 final.
This was definitely an offensive explosion by both schools. The Golden Bulls produced 479 yards of total offense (337 rushing, 142 passing). Anderson rushed for a game-high 167 yards on 20 carries with one touchdown. Carter scored three touchdowns (one passing, two rushing), threw for 100 yards and rushed for 90. Poole was the leading receiver for the Golden Bulls with five catches for 43 yards and two TDs.
Montgomery was everywhere on the field defensively for JCSU. He had a team-high 11 tackles, two interceptions, and one forced fumble. Unfortunately, the defense allowed 447 total yards and WV Tech's Michael Scott passed for 357 yards and five touchdowns.
J.C. Smith will return to action on Saturday, September 5th when they face the Vikings of Elizabeth City State University. Both JCSU and ECSU come into this match-up 0-1. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 pm inside the Irwin Belk Complex.
