Senior Jeremy Franklin became the all-time leading receiver in JCSU history with a 110 yard, five catch day against WV Tech
Box Score
Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University football team snatched their first win of the season with a 45-21 victory against West Virginia Institute of Technology on Saturday afternoon inside the Irwin Belk Complex on McGirt Field. JCSU improves to 1-2 overall; while the Golden Bears fall to 1-2 on the season.
The Golden Bulls struck first when senior quarterback
Ryan Carter (Charlotte, NC) scrambled into the end zone on a five yard run. The score gave JCSU their first lead of the season and capped off a five play, 31 yard drive. The defense held WV Tech and the Golden Bulls scored again with a 59 yard touchdown strike from Carter to freshman receiver
Chrishawn Rhyne (Winston-Salem, NC).
The scoring continued in the second quarter with a 38-yard field goal by redshirt freshman
Tyler Rabb (Shelby, NC) and a nine yard touchdown run by junior running back
Joshua James (Varnville, SC). J. C. Smith was up 24-0 with a little more than two minutes remaining in the first half. Looking to picking up some yardage for room to punt, Michael Scott connected with Kashif Walls on a third down screen pass that broke into a 99-yard touchdown.
Scott found Walls again midway through the third quarter on a 17-yard touchdown pass that brought WV Tech within two scores (24-14). The Golden Bulls responded with a 56-yard touchdown reception by senior receiver
Jeremy Franklin (Casselberry, FL) from Carter. Refusing to surrender, Scott found Walls for their third touchdown, however trailed JCSU 31-21.
In the fourth, Carter and Franklin linked up again up a 22 yard touchdown to cap a seven play, 73-yard drive with 8:25 remaining. Franklin had five catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns on the afternoon. He surpassed Marquis Belton as the JCSU All-Time leading receiver in yards; Franklin currently has a 2,601 career yards in receiving.
Junior running back
Archie Barrow (Winston-Salem, NC) sealed the Golden Bulls victory with an eight yard touchdown run with 2:59 left to play. JCSU earned a 45-21 home opener win, scoring their most points since the 2008 Homecoming victory over Chowan (51-36).
Carter finished the day with 296 passing yards and 62 yards rushing, completing 17-of-32 pass attempts. He had three passing TDs and one on the ground, averaging 7.8 yards per carry (8 carries). Rhyne caught three balls for 84 yards and a TD. James had a game and career high 141 yards rushing with one touchdown and 23 attempts.
Sophomore linebacker
Michael Coats (Greenwood, SC) recorded a team-high nine tackles (five solo). Junior linebacker
Quinton Toomer (Atlanta, GA) racked up five tackles and a sack. Sophomore defensive linemen
Derrick Johnson II (Charlotte, NC) and
Jeremy Green (Tampa, FL) each got to the quarterback for a sack with four and two tackles, respectively.
Junior defensive back
Lamarr Person (Atlanta, GA) ended a Golden Bear drive with the game's only interception.
JCSU looks to maintain the charge at home on Saturday, September 18th against Brevard College. The Sponsor/Faculty game will begin at 2:00 pm inside the Irwin Belk Complex.
