Spencer Shine (#15) and Darius Wallace (#48) gang tackling the ball carrier for Concordia-Selma
Box Score
Charlotte, N.C. – The Johnson C. Smith University football team held on for a 23-18 win against Concordia College of Selma on Saturday afternoon inside Irwin Belk Complex during the revamped Eddie C. McGirt Classic. JCSU improves to 1-2 in the overall standings, while the Hornets fall to a 1-1 record.
The Golden Bulls scored on their opening offensive drive of the game. Sophomore quarterback
Andrew Alexander (Charlotte, NC) managed to connect with freshman receiver
Fred Scott (Stone Mountain, GA) for a four yard touchdown reception in the left corner of the end zone. Alexander started over sophomore quarterback
Keahn Wallace (Homestead, FL) for precautionary measures. Wallace injured his achilles during the Inner City Classic last weekend against Tuskegee.
Concordia responded on their next offensive possession with a six play, 70 yard drive for a touchdown. On a 3rd and 11, Keith Ray completed a pass to David Hampton that turned into a 61 yard scoring reception. The Hornets missed the extra point and trailed 7-6 with a little more than nine minutes remaining in the first quarter.
JCSU answered back with an 11 play, 64 yard touchdown drive to increase their advantage to 14-6. Alexander capped the drive with a 12 yard TD toss over the middle to junior receiver
Terrell Hutchison (Chester, SC).
The Hornets rebounded for another touchdown drive in the second quarter. Concordia crossed the goal line after six minutes and 14 plays with a two yard rush by Terrell Edwards-May. They had a failed two-point conversion attempt and faced a 14-12 deficit.
The Golden Bulls trailed for the first time in the contest after allowing a second rushing touchdown to Edwards-May. Concordia started with a short field after a punt and drove 43 yards in eight plays. Yet another Concordia two-point conversion failed, which had JCSU down 18-14 at the start of the third quarter.
Wallace checked into the game at quarterback after Alexander suffered a shoulder injury. The reigning CIAA Offensive Rookie of the Year wasted no time finding Scott for a 36 yard touchdown catch. The score moved JCSU back out in front 21-18 early in the third quarter. The final points of the game were recorded in the fourth quarter. Starting at their own one yard line; the Hornets had a receiver tackled in the end zone for a safety.
JCSU sealed the victory in the final seconds of the game with an interception by junior defensive back
Damion Miles (Beaufort, SC).
“Our guys kept fighting and maintained our composure down the stretch to finally get us a win,” said JCSU head coach
Steven Aycock. “We never want to underestimate our opponents; Concordia was a good club that put up a strong challenge. This is a good win; hopefully we can build some momentum heading into conference play.”
Alexander finished with two passing touchdowns and 32 yards, completing three of seven passes. Wallace completed 16 of his 28 passing attempts for 161 yards and a touchdown. Neither quarterback turned the ball over. Senior running back
Dedrick Anderson (Winston-Salem, NC) rushed for 83 yards off 26 carries.
Junior linebacker
Spencer Shine (Charleston, SC) racked up 10 tackles, including two for a loss of 36 yards and an interception. The Golden Bulls defense collected four sacks, including two by senior defensive end
Derrick Johnson II (Charlotte, NC).
JCSU will remain in the Queen City to face their next opponent Virginia State University on Saturday, September 22nd. This marks the first CIAA contest of the season for both. Kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. inside the Irwin Belk Complex. Fans are encouraged to wear gold in celebration of Golden Bull Pride Day at the stadium.
