Keahn Wallace recorded a total 391 yards on offense (337 passing, 54 rushing) and five touchdowns in his freshman debut with a 64-27 win over West VA St.
Results
Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University football ignited with a 64-27 season opener win against West Virginia State University on Saturday afternoon inside the Irwin Belk Complex. J.C. Smith is 1-0 for the first time since their 24-0 season opening win over Edward Waters in 2007; prior to the coaching leadership from
Steven Aycock.
Believe it or not, this game started off a little shaky for the Golden Bulls. With just two plays, the Yellow Jackets had put a touchdown on the scoreboard. After a rush for no gain, Ricky Phillips connected with Ervin Kent for a 74 yard touchdown reception for a 7-0 WVSU lead. It would be the last time Johnson C. Smith trailed in the game.
The Golden Bulls did not flinch after the opposition's score; they calmly put together a drive down the field with three first downs. This drive was led and capped off by freshman quarterback
Keahn Wallace (Homestead, FL) with a seven yard TD pass to sophomore receiver
Avius Capers (Charlotte, NC). Senior defensive tackle
Rashad Dukes (Charlotte, NC) put in some work with two tackles on a three and out on the next WVSU possession.
Yet another freshman came up big, this time receiver William (B.J.) Trimble (Fayetteville, GA) returned a punt 70 yards to the house for a 14-7 JCSU advantage. West Virginia State managed to produce another score on the following drive off a 25 yard touchdown rush from LeFloyd Phillip.
Wallace completed a 55 yard touchdown reception to sophomore
Daniel Taylor (West Columbia, SC), but the extra point attempt failed resulting in a 20-14 JCSU lead. The Golden Bulls forced another three and out on defense; then Wallace marched the offense down the field. Junior running back
Dedrick Anderson (Winston-Salem, NC) gained 45 yards on the drive including a 27 yard sprint for a touchdown.
Before closing out the first quarter (that's right, the first quarter), Anderson was back in the end zone for JCSU off a 13 yard run. Johnson C. Smith led 34-14 after the first quarter. The Golden Bulls led by no less than 23 points (44-21 second quarter) for the remainder of the contest.
Johnson C. Smith was ahead 44-21 going into halftime; just four points shy of tying the record for most points scored in a half (49 in 1964 vs. Livingstone) in school history.
Wallace made an impressive debut with 337 yards off 16-25 passing with four touchdowns. He also rushed for 54 yards and scored once on the ground. His targets, senior receiver
Rico Poole (Atlanta, GA) with five catches, 121 yards, and a TD; also Taylor, who capped his day with two touchdowns and 139 yards off four receptions.
The ground game was clicking for J.C. Smith as well as Anderson rushed for 156 yards and two TDs off 13 carries. Senior defensive end Derrick (Deuce) Johnson (Charlotte, NC) recorded four and half tackles (three solo) and a sack. Junior linebacker
Michael Coats (Greenwood, SC) chased down ball carriers with four tackles (2 solo, 4 asts) and an interception.
“It feels good to start the season like this, these guys came onto the field ready to win and they played that way throughout,” said head coach
Steven Aycock. “The credit goes to my team for their execution and my entire coaching staff for preparing these guys for a victory. We have a few things we still need to work on, and we will, and we cannot lose focus it's still one game at a time.”
The Golden Bulls will take this show on the road next week as they travel to Brevard, NC to face Brevard College on Saturday, September, 10th. Game time is slated for 2:00 p.m. on Tornadoes Field.
