JCSU Falls at WSSU, 37-22
Box Score Charlotte, N.C. (Oct. 10, 2015)– Johnson C. Smith scored on its first play from scrimmage, a 63 yard pass from freshman quarterback Jordan Lane (Charlotte, N.C.) to receiver Fred Scott (Stone Mountain, Ga.) to take an early 7-0 lead but Winston-Salem State scored 20 second quarter points en route to a 37-22 win at an overcast and drizzly Bowman Gray Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
On the opening scoring play, Lane found Scott, who came back after missing the past three games with an injury, streaking down the right sideline. Scott hauled in the pass and outraced the WSSU defender. After the point after, JCSU led 7-0 at the 13:03 mark.
WSSU would gain possession after JCSU was stopped on a fourth down attempt from the WSSU 39 at 11:32 in the second quarter. Six plays later, WSSU was in the end zone after Demeeko Jones hauled in a nine yard pass from Rod Tinsley. The Ram point after was no good, and JCSU clinged to the 7-6 lead.
The Rams picked off Lane on the next JCSU possession and thanks to a 43 yard reception by Jaitavi Jackson, WSSU found their way to the JCSU one yard line. The Rams would punch it in from one yard out to take the 13-7 lead. WSSU wasted no time again on their next possession following a JCSU punt, scoring on a 71 yard pass to make it 20-7 with 4:42 left in the second quarter. The Golden Bulls would attempt a 46-yard field goal at the end of the quarter, but Amaya’s attempt sailed left and WSSU would take the 20-7 lead into the break.
JCSU would trim the lead to 20-14 with 6:48 left in the third when Richard Brannon (Charlotte, N.C.) ran it in from four yards out. Amaya’s point after was good.
WSSU started the final stanza with a 16 yard touchdown pass and added a 19-yard field goal to make it 30-14 with 11:46 to go. The score ballooned to 37-14 when Xavier Quick bolted in from eight yards out. That drive started after Lane was intercepted by James Bullock at the JCSU 40 and a face mask penalty advanced it to the JCSU 25.
The Golden Bulls’ final score of the day came on an eight yard reception by
Carlo Thomas (East Orange, N.J.) The two-point conversion pass to Scott was good, drawing JCSU to within 37-22 at the 7:53 mark.
JCSU could get no closer and was forced to punt from their own 16-yard line. WSSU regained possession and melted the clock to preserve the 37-22 win.
JCSU falls to 1-6 overall, 0-3 in CIAA play while WSSU improves to 2-4, 2-1 in league play. The loss also drops JCSU to 0-1 in Southern Divisional play while WSSU stands at 1-0.
Offensively, Lane finished with 251 yards passing and two touchdowns on a 16-of-31 outing while being intercepted twice. Receiver Fred Scott hauled in eight passes for 145 yards and one touchdown to lead the JCSU receiving corps. Jamal Francois (Gaithersburg, Md.) finished with 22 yards rushing on 13 carries.
Defensively, senior linebacker Austin Jacques (Springdale, Md.) again led the Golden Bulls, notching 14.5 tackles, 11 solo. Jacques also had a sack, three tackles for loss, a quarterback hurry and the interception.
The Golden Bulls will return to play next Saturday, hosting Fayetteville State. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.