JCSU Set to Open 2017 Football Season Against Wingate
Charlotte, N.C. (Aug. 30, 2017) – The Johnson C. Smith University football team will open their 2017 season on Saturday, Sept. 2 against local rival Wingate.
The Golden Bulls, under third-year head coach
Kermit Blount, welcome back a strong and talented defensive unit from a team that finished fifth in total defense in 2016. JCSU returns three players who earned All-CIAA honors from 2016. Anchoring the defense is perennial All-America candidate
Carlo Thomas (East Orange, N.J.) Thomas, a safety, turned in a 69-tackle performance in 2016. He led the league in interceptions with seven, returning those for 166 yards, including one score against Wingate. Thomas also had one fumble recovery and had five pass breakups.
Basir Wright (Douglasville, Ga.) an All-CIAA Second Team performer, also returns. Wright finished as the team leader in tackles with 77 total stops last season and had two interceptions. He also two forced fumbles and had one recovery. His most productive outing of the year came in a 12-tackle performance at FCS opponent Wofford.
Rounding out the top defensive prospects for JCSU is sophomore
David Francis (Pompano Beach, Fla.). In 2016, he earned All-Rookie honors after a solid first year with the Golden Bulls, as he made 48 tackles that included 26 solo stops. He also managed a sack and a fumble recovery on the season to go along with 2.0 tackles-for-loss.
Offensively, The Golden Bulls return the top rusher from 2016 in All-CIAA Second Team selection
Braxton Gambrell (Seneca, S.C.). Gambrell rished for 419 yards on 92 carriers, scoring a pair of touchdowns in his freshman campaign wearing the Gold and Blue.
In the air, JCSU's
Harold Herbin (Fayetteville, N.C.) had threw for 1,013 yards and nine touchdowns as the top JCSU passer.
Jordan Lane (Charlotte, N.C.) returns after suffering a season-ending injury against Wofford. Lane finished with 283 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
The JCSU receiving corps also returns a solid group in
Gabriel Yuille (Baltimore, Md.),
Eugene Holmes (Columbia, S.C.) and
Rod Carter (Miami, Fla.). Yuille finished with 258 yards on 19 catches while scoring four touchdowns. Holmes hauled in 24 passes for 305 yards while Carter hauled in 14 passes for 198 yards and a pair of scores.
JCSU enters the matchup looking for their first win over the Bulldogs, as Wingate leads the all-time series 4-0.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the Irwin Belk Complex with the game being dubbed as Community Day, as several community groups have made arrangements to be in attendance.
Tickets are available by contacting the JCSU Ticket Office at 704-378-1087 or by clicking the tickets tab at the bottom of GoldenBullSports.com or by clicking
here. Tickets can also be purchased on game day at Brayboy Gym.
Game Notes vs. Wingate
WGNC Live Audio/Video Stream
Season Tickets
Single Game Tickets vs. Wingate
