– The Johnson C. Smith University football team came up short in a 44-23 loss against Fayetteville State University on Saturday afternoon inside the Irwin Belk Complex. JCSU moves to 4-5 overall and 3-3 in the CIAA; the Broncos improve to 4-5 overall and 4-2 in the conference. The Golden Bulls had 16 seniors honored in their final performances on McGirt Field.
These two teams traded big play scores to start the contest. Fayetteville State scored first off a 47 yard pass from Chauncey Concepcion to Antonio Allen. JCSU quickly responded on the next drive with a connection from freshman quarterback
Keahn Wallace (Homestead, FL) to junior receiver
Matthew Jeffries (Gainesville, GA).
Wallace hit the receiver streaking and Jeffries went 60 yards downfield for the touchdown. FSU broke the 7-7 tie with a 41 yard field goal with 3:35 remaining in the first quarter.
The Golden Bulls' defense forced a safety in the second quarter off bad snap to Concepcion. Fayetteville State held a 17-9 lead at halftime. Ironically, a bad snap to Wallace inside the FSU 5-yard line led to a 70 yard fumble return for a touchdown.
JCSU was outscored 20-7 in the third quarter. Senior defensive back
Lamarr Person (Atlanta, GA) returned a fumble 97 yards for a score to bring Johnson C. Smith within two possessions (30-16). The Broncos scored twice more after Person's return to account for the 44-23 final.
Jeffries had a standout performance with six catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns. He has emerged in the last four contests with a touchdown in each. Jeffries caught TDs from Wallace and freshman quarterback
Andrew Alexander (Charlotte, NC) in this game. Alexander saw time in the second half after Wallace left with an arm injury.
Wallace completed eight of 17 pass attempts for 124 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 25 yards. Alexander threw for 111 yards off 9-of-19 passing with a TD and two interceptions. He showcased his mobility for 28 yards on the ground with eight carries.
Senior safety
Chris Sams (Decatur, GA) had an impressive 12 tackles (8 solo, 4 assists) and a forced fumble. Sams faced an ejection in the fourth after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Senior defensive back
Darius Johnson (Atlanta, GA) also swarmed to the ball for 12 tackles (five solo, seven assists).
The major thorn in this Golden Bulls' loss was turnovers. JCSU had two interceptions and three fumbles lost, including one on the FSU two yard line.
Junior linebacker
Michael Coats (Greenwood, SC) had double digit tackles with 10 (three solo, seven assists). Senior defensive tackle
Rashad Dukes (Charlotte, NC) racked up six tackles (five assists) and a sack for loss of 14 yards.
Johnson C. Smith can gain redemption with a victory in their next contest on Saturday, November 5th. JCSU will collide with Livingstone College in the annual Commemorative Classic held at Charlotte Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Grammy Award nominee Ruben Studdard will be performing at halftime.
The Golden Bulls are 2-0 in this entitled battle and will close out the season .500 with a win. The Blue Bears enter this matchup with a 1-8 record this season. For more information or tickets, visit
www.commemorativeclassic.com.
