Golden Bulls Drop Tough 27-22 Decision at Winston-Salem State
Winston-Salem, N.C. (Oct. 7, 2017) – The Johnson C. Smith University Golden Bulls put up 300 yards of total offense but was unable to cash in on numerous opportunities falling 27-22 at a soggy Bowman Gray Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The homestanding Rams wasted no time, getting on the board following a nine-play 52-yard drive when Kerrion Moore pushed his way in from the JCSU three-yard line to put WSSU up 7-0.  After JCSU punted to pin the Rams deep in their own territory, the Rams were forced to punt, but a high snap sailed through the end zone for a safety, putting JCSU on the board, 7-2.

Moore scored his second touchdown of the afternoon, this time on a 22-yard jaunt at the 14:50 mark of the second quarter that capped a seven-play, 99-yard drive., pushing the WSSU lead to 14-2.  On the Rams next possession, Moore scored his third touchdown of the afternoon on a 48-yard run, making it 20-2.

On the ensuing kickoff, sophomore Desmond Dozier (Longs, S.C.) took the ball at the three-yard line and weaved his way through several Ram defenders before juking the Ram kicker, ending with a school-record 97-yard kickoff return for the score.  The previous mark was a 93-yard return set in 1994 against Livingstone. Following Dozier's heroics, JCSU trailed 20-9.

JCSU received the second half kickoff and was forced to punt, but a WSSU penalty gave JCSU new life at the WSSU 44.  Quarterback Terrance Ervin (Richmond, Va.) then raced for a 49-yard gain to the WSSU 8.  Two plays later, Ervin was flushed out of the pocket and was picked off in the end zone by the Rams' Darius Skinner to thwart the drive.

Neither team could mount much offense, as they traded three punts in the scoreless third quarter.

JCSU then hit pay dirt with 13:51 left when Gabriel Yuille (Baltimore, Md.) corralled a 31-yard pass after two WSSU defenders tipped the pass.  Yuille's catch was caught on his back as both WSSU defenders were falling to the ground.  Brandon Howard (Columbia, S.C.) knocked in the point after to pull to 20-16.

WSSU would then score on a two-yard plunge from quarterback Rod Tinsley to go up 27-16 with 8:45 to go.  Prior to Tinsley's score, JCSU was driving and had the ball at the WSSU 32, but the ball popped out of the JCSU running back's hands and was returned 62 yards to the JCSU 2-yard line.

JCSU then mounted a comeback. After a Golden Bull punt, JCSU's Deston Thornton (Kernersville, N.C.) was able to force Tinsley to fumble. Senior Carlo Thomas (East Orange, N.J.) pounced on the ball to give it back to JCSU at the WSSU 22-yard line. JCSU would not be able to capitalize, as they punted back to the Rams. 

On the next Winston-Salem State possession, JCSU's Jahvez Mitchell (Atlanta, Ga.) made a diving interception to give JCSU another opportunity in WSSU territory, this time at the WSSU 25. The Golden Bulls finally cashed in, going 25-yards in eight plays capped by a Braxton Gambrell (Seneca, S.C.) six-yard touchdown run, making it 27-22 with 3:19 to go.

JCSU was able to get one last chance at a game-winning drive, taking over at their own 16 after a WSSU punt.

After a first down completion to Rod Carter (Miami, Fla.), JCSU lost six yards on a Ervin rush and then two incompletions, followed by a last second heave that resulted in a WSSU interception sealed the win for the Rams.

The Golden Bulls drop to 0-6 overall, 0-3 in CIAA play and 0-1 in Southern Division play while WSSU improves to 4-2, 2-1 CIAA, and 1-0.

Individually, JCSU's Ervin finished with 58 yards on the ground while Jachin Watkins (Charlotte, N.C.) had 44.  Ervin also finished with 181 yards passing and a touchdown on a 16-of-37 outing with two interceptions.  The JCSU receiving corps got four receptions each from Yuille and Eugene Holmes (Columbia, S.C.) with Yuille going for 54 yards and score and Holmes going for 36 yards.

Defensively, JCSU got a career-high 11 tackles from Kyaire Bynum (Lancaster, Pa.), including one for loss.  Carlo Thomas had nine tackles on the afternoon with one going for loss and one fumble recovery.  As a unit, JCSU recorded seven tackles-for-loss.

JCSU returns home to the Irwin Belk Complex on Saturday, Oct. 14 to host Southern Division foe Fayetteville State.  Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.