Sept. 7, 2008

Final Stats

Tropical Storm Hanna did more than cause excessive rain and force the postponement of the VSU vs. JCSU football game. It obviously disrupted the concentration and timing of the Golden Bulls football team as they fell in defeat to Virginia State 43-16.

VSU head coach Andrew Faison remains perfect in games against JCSU (3-0) while JCSU head coach Daryl McNeill, Sr. is still looking for his first win against the Trojans and the team’s first win of the season. Similar to last week, JCSU (0-2) allowed fumbles to take control of the game. The Golden Bulls had three fumbles, two of which were recovered by VSU. The Trojans capitalized on the mental errors and scored 14 quick points in the first half.

Both teams did most of their damage in the fourth quarter. It would take the Golden Bulls nearly the entire game before they would score their first touchdown. Senior quarterback Carlton Richardson (Columbia, S.C.) found his favorite target, Jeremy Franklin (Casselberry, Fla.) in the end zone for the Bulls’ first score of the day. Julius Wright (Fort Worth, Tex.) converted the PAT. Richardson once again found a target in the end zone, this time it would be Devin Story (Beaufort, S.C.) for the Bulls second and final score but Wright missed the extra point attempt.

Virginia State University (1-1) went on to earn their first victory of the season by using a balanced offensive attack, 138 yards on the ground and 276 yards in the air. Taron Hampton and Davian Richards both went over the century mark in the contest. Hampton had nearly 200 all-purpose yards (140 rushing and 54 receiving) and accounted for three Trojan touchdowns. Richards had five receptions for 111 yards and two scores. Isaac Mitchell led the defensive attack with 15 total tackles followed by Matthew Green’s 12. Green also had one sack for five yards, two tackles for a loss of 10 yards and one deflected pass.

Offensively, Richardson completed 21 of 38 attempts for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Franklin had eight receptions for 92 yards and a score. VSU’s quarterback Leonard Johnson finished competing 21of29 pass attempts for 276 yards and three touchdowns. Johnson also had 17 carries for 23 yards.

Lawyer Montgomery (Buffalo, N.Y.) once again led the defensive effort with eight total tackles. Jonathan Metcalf (Charlotte, N.C.) also ended with eight total tackles.

JCSU will host Edward Waters College next Saturday (September 13). Game time is scheduled for 6:00 pm at the Irwin Belk Complex.