JCSU Football Set to Defend Commemorative Classic Trophy
Charlotte, N.C. (Nov. 4, 2015) – The Johnson C. Smith football team seeks to defend the Commemorative Classic Trophy as the Golden Bulls travel Salisbury to take on archrival Livingstone College on Saturday, Nov. 7. Kickoff against the Blue Bears is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Alumni Memorial Stadium.
The Golden Bulls (4-5, 3-3 CIAA, 3-1 Southern Division) enter the matchup on a three game winning streak, it's longest since opening the 2013 season with three consecutive triumphs. The Golden Bulls have been particularly stout on defense, having forced 13 turnovers in the three game span, 12 of which have been interceptions. Â
Carlo Thomas (East Orange, N.J.) has been the chief culprit, having picked off nine opponent passes during that same span, earning multiple weekly conference and national honors for his recent play. Senior linebackerÂ
Austin Jacques (Springdale, Md.) has been the leading tackler, combining for 36 tackles, 23 of which have been solo stops. Of those tackles, seven have been for loss. Jacques has also gotten into the interception business, picking off a pass last week at St. Augustine's. Other notable defensive performances during the span have been turned in by linebacker
Javard Gaines (Hackensack, N.J.), cornerback
Daryl Napper (Winston-Salem, N.C.) and defensive linemen
Jamaal Tutt (Atlanta, Ga.) and
Brice Smith (Atlanta, Ga.).Offensively, the freshman quarterback duo of
Jordan Lane (Charlotte, N.C.) andÂ
Harold Herbin (Fayetteville, N.C.) have led JCSU during the winning streak. Herbin tossed for 124 yards and two scores and rushed for 90 yards against Fayetteville State. During the winning streak, Lane has thrown for 327 yards and two scores, including a 179 yard output last week against St. Augustine's.
Livingstone (4-3, 3-3 CIAA, 3-1 Southern Division), comes into the game after a thrilling 42-35 homecoming overtime win over Fayetteville State last weekend. Blue Bear quarterback Drew Powell tossed for 364 yards on a 28-of-35 effort that included two touchdown strikes. His favorite target, receiver Jalen Hendricks hauled in nine passes for 135 yards and a score. Fellow receiver Arthur Bowden brought in 173 yards on eight catches, including a touchdown.  The Blue Bears also chewed up 145 yards on the ground with Jarius Richardson leading the way with 89 yards and a score. Powell also rushed for two scores.
Defensively, Livingstone's Marcus Nolan had 18 tackles, including three for loss. Jamaul Brown also had a good outing with six tackles, three for loss including one sack. Livingstone also got interceptions from Billy Moore and Kevin Williams.
Last season, JCSU forced three Livingstone turnovers and recorded six sacks while torching the Blue Bear secondary for 327 passing yards in a 31-14 win at the Irwin Belk Complex.
The Golden Bulls lead the overall series 41-21-2 and are 6-0 since the inception of the Commemorative Classic in 2009. Saturday's game also marks JCSU's first trip to Salisbury since the 30-15 win in the first Commemorative Classic game on Oct. 3, 2009.
Fans can follow all the action on AM 1450 WGNC and online at GoldenBullSports.com. Dave Friedman will have the call with Josh Diggs providing color commentary with the pregame show starting at 12:30 p.m.
JCSU at Livingstone Game NotesLive Audio LinkÂ
