CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The Johnson C. Smith University football team were victorious 58-41 over Bowie State University on Saturday afternoon at the Irwin Belk Complex in the Eddie C. McGirt Classic. JCSU improves to 2-0 overall, while the Bulldogs drop to 1-1 after this non-conference contest.The Golden Bulls wasted no time producing points on the scoreboard. Junior tailback LeAnder Barney (Erie, PA) capped off the first drive with an eight-yard touchdown run. JCSU scored on their first offensive series after driving 66 yards in six plays.
Bowie State countered with a 10-play, 75 yard drive to tie the game 7-7 on their initial series. Quarterback Jared Johnston had a three yard scramble to give the Bulldogs their first points. JCSU followed with an 11-play drive that resulted in a 25 yard field goal from freshman Erik Amaya (Kannapolis, NC) for a 10-7 lead. The first quarter ended with the same score.
JCSU scored three times in the second quarter, while shutting out the Bulldogs from scoring all together. Junior quarterback Keahn Wallace (Miami, FL) connected with sophomore receiver Fred Scott (Stone Mountain, GA) and junior receiver Jayson Leverette (Orangeburg, SC) for two touchdowns. First, a nine-yard pass to Scott, capping an 87-yard drive. Later, Wallace found Leverette all alone in the left corner of the end zone for a 15-yard score.
Barney scored in between those two series from 24 yards out. He had a bruising run up the middle, but the extra point was blocked. JCSU led 30-7 at halftime.
Bowie State closed the gap in the third quarter. The Bulldogs outscored JCSU 14-0 in the third to draw within nine (30-21) going into the fourth. Keith Brown effectively moved the ball at running back for BSU and scored both touchdowns in the third. The Golden Bulls missed a 48-yard field goal just before the start of the fourth.
BSU made good on their offensive possession to start the final quarter. Johnston completed a 26-yard touchdown pass to Nyme Manns to cut the JCSU lead down to 30-28. Wallace threw an interception on the next possession to Delante White with 9:30 on the clock. Senior defensive end Chris Randolph (Gainesville, GA) recovered a fumble by Johnston and returned it 37 yards down to the BSU nine yard line.
JCSU capitalized with Wallace crossing the goal line after two rush attempts. The Bulldogs trailed 37-28 going into their next drive. After 10 plays and driving down to the JCSU red zone, Johnston threw an interception to senior defensive back Damion Miles (Beaufort, SC) at the 16 yard line. Miles returned the pick 84 yards for the score.
Despite facing a 44-28 fourth quarter deficit, the Bulldogs did not wave the white flag. BSU scored off a one-yard run from Brown; sparked by a 55-yard completion from Johnston to Jamal Chappell. Wallace quickly responded on the next drive with a 51-yard touchdown completion to Scott.
Both teams managed to produce one final touchdown before the conclusion. Johnston went to Manns again for an eight-yard touchdown reception. The Bulldogs were down 51-41 with 1:35 remaining and two timeouts. Wallace put the nail in the coffin with a 40-yard touchdown completion to senior tight end Jimmy Drye, Jr. (Concord, NC). The contest came to a close with a final score of 58-41 in favor of the Golden Bulls.
Wallace had a career-high 425 yards off 28-of-37 passing with four touchdowns and one interception. He also recorded 15 yards rushing and a touchdown on the ground. Barney had two scores and 82 yards rushing off 14 carries. He too pulled double duty with three catches for 41 yards. Scott had a career-high 10 catches for 131 yards receiving and two touchdowns. Senior receiver Chris Patterson (Penelton, SC) also produced career-highs with seven catches for 107 yards.
Johnston led BSU with 394 yards and two touchdowns passing along with a score scrambling. Brown totaled 99 yards on the ground for the Bulldogs and got into the end zone three times. Both teams recorded over 500 yards of total offense led by Bowie State with 522 and JCSU not far behind at 519.
Despite the yardage allowed, the Golden Bulls' defense had two interceptions, a fumble recovery with a big return, and a defensive touchdown. JCSU also got to the quarterback for five sacks.
Junior linebacker Jerel Miller (Rock Hill, SC) led the team in tackles for the second week with 12 (9 solo). Junior defensive back Kerry Hartley (New Orleans, LA) had nine tackles and an interception. Junior defensive end Jovontay Williams (Stone Mountain, GA) made his presence felt with five tackles including two sacks for a loss of 25 yards.
JCSU starts their year off 2-0 for the first time since the 2006 season. The Golden Bulls will look to make it three in a row on Saturday, September 21st against Davidson College. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the Irwin Belk Campus.
Box Score vs. Bowie State
COURTESY JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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