Box Score ETTRICK, Va. – The Johnson C. Smith football team gave up 31 unanswered points, to a 31-15 loss at Virginia State University in its Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Conference opener Saturday night at the Rogers Stadium. 
 
With the loss, Smith stands 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the CIAA, while VSU is at 3-1 overall and 1-0 within the conference.
 
JCSU scored on the opening drive off a 17-yard run from Emanuel Wilson to give the Golden Bulls the early 6-0 lead over V-State. The point after miss was no good. A three and out for the Trojan resulted in a JCSU's Cristian Benitez scoring on a 37-yard field goal, to extend their lead 9-0 at the 10:20 mark. 
 
VSU would add 14 points to the scoreboard with a two-yard run touchdown from Darrius Hagans, followed by a 37-yard reception touchdown for Kier Townsend that pushed the Trojan lead 14-9. The Trojans scored on a four-yard touchdown run from Cordell Cook to close out the first half with VSU leading 21-9.
 
In the third quarter, VSU's Jesus Valenzuela punched in a 20-yard field to give the Trojans a 24-9 lead with 6:10 in the third.

With 14:54 in the fourth quarter, the Trojans Toure Wallace scampered in for the 14-yard touchdown to extend the VSU lead, 31-9.

The Golden Bulls got on the scoreboard in the final 4:33 as Janarius Hood caught a 27-yard pass from Malik Evans. The PAT was no good, as the score was in favor of VSU 31-15.

Evans finished with 228 yards of total offense that featured just 136 rushing and 92 passing compared the Trojans who amassed 380 total offense (213 on the ground, 167 through the air). 

In his first start at the quarterback position, Smith completed 12-of-26 passing for 92 yards, one interception and one touchdown in the contest.
 
Wilson had a team-best 143 yards rushing on 15 carries and a touchdown while Hood added five receptions for 59 yards.
 
David Francis led the Golden Bulls defense with a game-high five total tackles and a tackle for loss. .
 
Smith will return to action Saturday, Oct. 5 at Irwin Belk Complex where the Golden Bulls will play host to Lincoln University (Pa.)  at 1 p.m.