Wingate Downs JCSU Football 38-28 in 2016 Opener
JCSU Sports Information
Box Score Wingate, N.C. (Sept. 3, 2016) – The Johnson C. Smith University football team came back from a 18-point third quarter deficit to close to within three points midway through the fourth quarter, but could not overcome home standing Wingate, dropping a 38-28 decision in the 2016 season opener at Irwin Belk Stadium in Wingate, N.C.
After trailing 17-6 at halftime, Wingate came out and tacked on another touchdown to make it 24-6 after Lawrence Pittman's 11-yard run. On the ensuing kickoff, JCSU freshman Desmond Dozier (Longs, S.C.) raced up the middle for the 86 yard return for a score that closed to within 24-14.
Wingate added another score after quarterback Kyle Johnson found Joe Wallace for an 11-yard strike to increase the lead to 31-14.
JCSU would then score two consecutive touchdowns in the fourth quarter, with the first coming on a 26-yard reception from Jordan Lane (Charlotte, N.C.) to Rod Carter (Miami, Fla.). On that play, Carter beat his defender on a post route while Lane threaded it between the Bulldog secondary. That score made it 31-21 with 11:45 remaining.
On Wingate's next offensive series, junior safety Carlo Thomas (East Orange, N.J.) stepped in front of a Johnson pass and weaved 48 yards for the score to further cut into the Wingate lead, making it 31-28 at the 9:27 mark.
Wingate responded on their next possession taking on three plays to score, as Pittman busted through the JCSU defensive line and raced to a 50-yard touchdown to push the Bulldog lead to 38-28.
JCSU would not be able to muster much on their next possession, as Lane was sacked twice, forcing JCSU to punt. Wingate took over with 6:03 to go, but the Golden Bulls defense stiffened, forcing Wingate to punt. With just 1:55 to play, JCSU wasn't able to advance past their own 26 yard line and was forced to punt. Following a 56-yard punt by senior Matias Lambrecht (Venice, Fla.), Wingate ran out the clock to take the win.
Offensively, Lane led the Golden Bulls, finishing with a 12-of-28 performance for 227 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing one interception. Junior Gabriel Yuille (Baltimore, Md.) led the receiving corps with 4 catches for 67 yards and a score, while Carter had two catches for 50 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Demarcus Berry (Vanceboro, N.C.) hauled in an 82 yard catch while Dozier had a 16 yard reception.
On defense, Thomas finished with 13 tackles and two interceptions while Basir Wright (Douglasville, Ga.) had 11 tackles and one pick. Brice Smith (Atlanta, Ga.) played well on the defensive line, securing two tackles-for-loss and a sack on the afternoon.
JCSU (0-1) will next take to the field on Saturday, Sept. 10, travelling to Bowie State for a 4:00 p.m. nonconference tilt against the Bulldogs.
