JCSU Football Falls at Virginia Union
JCSU Sports Information
Box Score Richmond, Va. (Sept. 26, 2015) – The Johnson C. Smith University football team was held to only 58 total yards of offense by Virginia Union as the Panthers took a 33-3 CIAA win at a soggy Hovey Field on Saturday afternoon.
The JCSU defense started well by holding the VUU offense in check on the first drive, forcing a punt on the first drive, but on the second play of the ensuing JCSU drive, freshman quarterback
Harold Herbin (Fayetteville, N.C.) had his pass picked off by VUU's Stephan Robinson.
Virginia Union capitalized on the turnover six plays later, driving 40 yards in 2:13 capped by a one-yard touchdown run from Lamar Webster. The point-after was good, giving VUU the 7-0 lead at the 11:04 mark of the first quarter.
Virginia Union then limited the JCSU offense to only 19 first half plays, forcing seven straight Golden Bull punts and took a 20-0 lead into the halftime intermission.
After another JCSU punt on their first possession of the second half, the Golden Bulls defense stiffened, forcing a Virginia Union punt. After the 13-yard punt from Russell Balance, JCSU took over at their own 48-yard line. The Golden Bulls put together an 11-play 23 yard drive that was aided by two pass interference calls on VUU. JCSU got down to the Panther 29 yard line and was forced to try a long field goal attempt.
Erik Amaya (Kannapolis, N.C.) made good on that attempt, knocking it in from 46 yards out to cut the deficit to 20-3 with 5:28 remaining in the third quarter. The kick was a career-long for Amaya.
Virginia Union then piled on two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the first being a 36 yard touchdown strike from quarterback Shawheem Dowdy to Devin Anderson with 13:51 remaining. VUU ended the scoring at the 5:41 mark when Rashaun Smith plunged in from one yard out to provide the 33-3 final.
Offensively, JCSU wide receiver
Roderick Carter (Miami, Fla.) caught four passes for 37 yards. Sophomore
Bedrick Yobo (Charlotte, N.C.) had two catches for a career-high 33 yards.
Jordan Lane (Charlotte, N.C.) returned to the lineup for JCSU, throwing for 67 yards on a 7-for-19 effort while only playing in the second half.
VUU quarterback Shawheem Rowdy had a banner day, connecting for 263 yards and two touchdowns on a 17-of-25 performance. Panther receiver Devin Anderson had five catches for 95 yards and one score and Olu Izegwire hauled in four passes for 64 yards. Running back Hakeem Holland had 58 yards on 18 carries for VUU.
The loss drops JCSU to 1-3 overall, 0-1 in CIAA play while Virginia Union improves to 3-1, 1-0 in league action.
JCSU returns home to take on Bowie State on Saturday, Oct. 3 in the Eddie McGirt Classic at the Irwin Belk Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
