Freshman QB Keahn Wallace accounted for all five JCSU touchdowns (3 passing, 2 rushing) and 404 total yards of offense, despite 3 INTs in the 38-35 overtime loss to Brevard
Box Score
Brevard, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University football team fell short 38-35 in an overtime tug of war with Brevard College on Saturday afternoon inside Brevard Memorial Stadium. JCSU moves to 1-1 in the standings as well as the Tornadoes with the victory at home.
JCSU won the coin toss and chose to defer until the second half. Both teams failed to score on their initial offensive possessions. On the second drive attempt by Brevard's offense, the Golden Bulls forced a turnover. Senior linebacker
Quinton Toomer (Atlanta, GA) collided with the ball carrier to force and recover a fumble on the BC eight yard line. Freshman quarterback
Keahn Wallace (Homestead, FL) wasted no time finding senior receiver
Nick Mata (Tampa, FL) for a seven yard touchdown pass. The drive only lasted two plays and took 48 seconds.
Defense held Brevard on their third possession, but JCSU committed a turnover on offense. Wallace threw his first interception of his collegiate career to Donovan Barker inside enemy territory. Brevard started their drive from their own 24 yard line and scored a TD in seven plays. Tydrell Wright took a reverse up the right side for a 32 yard touchdown run. The score remained tied 7-7 heading into the second quarter.
With the first play in the second quarter, Derek Church broke free up the middle for a 64 yard gain for Brevard. The rush put the Tornadoes in position to score off a two yard QB keeper from Aaron Reese. Johnson C. Smith had troubles smoothly moving the ball on their next two possessions. Brevard eventually scored again off a 40 touchdown reception to go ahead 21-7 with 3:11 remaining before halftime.
The Golden Bulls got back into sync on the next drive, well sort of. Wallace took a sack, followed by an incomplete pass, and then a 66 yard touchdown launch to sophomore
Daniel Taylor (Columbia, SC). It took JCSU 47 seconds to run those three plays and score. Sophomore safety
Gabriel Franklin (Casselberry, FL) recaptured the ball for the offense with an interception and 26 yard return to the BC 16.
Wallace rushed for six yard on the first play of the drive, but dislocated his finger on the tackle. He missed just one play before returning to the contest and crossing the goal line on a one yard TD dash. J.C. Smith tied the game 21-21 with 19 seconds on the clock in the second quarter. The score did not change before halftime.
The tie was broken at the 8:26 mark of the third quarter. Wallace connected with junior running back
Dedrick Anderson (Winston-Salem, NC) on a 10 yard outlet pass for the touchdown. The Tornadoes responded with a nine play, 60 yard drive to cross the goal line. Jack Woerner tied the game again at 28-28 off a two yard run with 3:44 left in the third.
Wallace operated on the Brevard defense like a surgeon on the next offensive possession. After 10 plays and 89 yards, the Golden Bulls were putting another touchdown on the scoreboard. On the drive, Wallace found sophomore receiver
Avius Capers (Charlotte, NC) with a 19-yard and 27-yard pass completion. Wallace accounted for the score on a seven yard rush.
Brevard trailed 35-28 going into the fourth quarter. BC did draw even (35-35) after an 11 play drive that lasted nearly six minutes. JCSU started their final drive in regulation at their own 16 with 3:15 remaining. After nine plays, the Golden Bulls had moved the ball to the Brevard 23. JCSU used their last timeout with 24 seconds on the clock, following the break; Wallace was sacked for a loss of one.
With time winding down, the field goal unit rushed onto the field for a final attempt. Senior place kicker
Julius Wright (Ft. Worth, TX) missed the 40 yarder wide right as time expired.
JCSU started off the extra frame with possession, but turned the ball over on third down with an interception. Brevard drove the ball to the one yard line on their possession, then kicked a 18 yard field goal for a 38-35 victory in overtime. This is the second consecutive season that this matchup has been settled by four points or less (25-21 Brevard in 2010).
Despite three interceptions, Wallace had another tremendous performance as a young signal caller. He threw for 325 yards and three touchdowns off 25-of-42 passing along with 79 yards and two TDs on the ground. Taylor was the top target with seven catches for 126 yards and a touchdown. Mata and Anderson each caught five balls for 50+ yards and a touchdown.
The offense produced over 400 yards (443 vs. Brevard / 630 vs. West Virginia State) for the second consecutive game. Unfortunately, the defense allowed over 400 yards in back to back weeks also (405 – Brevard / 499 – West Virginia State). Franklin was the defensive standout with five solo tackles and seven assists with the team's only interception.
The Golden Bulls will look to quickly correct their wrongs as they prepare for conference foe Virginia State University next week. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 17th inside the Irwin Belk Complex.
