Oct. 6, 2007

Final Stats

CHARLOTTEL, N.C. - Johnson C. Smith University (2-4, 1-2CIAA) played host to the #24 Virginia Union University Panthers (6-0, 3-0CIAA) who came into the contest with an undefeated 5-0 record. VUU avenged last year's five overtime loss to JCSU by a final score of 30-17.

Both teams came out and scored on their initial possession though they were only field goals. Gil Hernandez connected on a 32 yard field goal 11:01 while Herbert Collins, III converted the 18-yarder with 7:18 remaining in the first quarter to knot the score at 3-all.

Tarian Donaldson toted the ball five yards into the end zone with 26 seconds left in the first quarter. Hernandez missed the extra point giving the Panthers the 9-3 advantage.

The score would stay that way going into the half. It would take 11 plays, 59 yards for a seven yard pass from Carlton Richardson to Brandon Benjamin with 8 minutes and 44 seconds in the third quarter. Collins hit the point after touchdown to give Smith the one point lead 10-9.

It took just 2:31 seconds for Lamar Little to do what he does best and run the ball 14 yards into the end zone to help VUU regain the lead at 16-10 with 6:07 left in the third quarter.

After a huge pass play by Richardson to Cory Carter, Smith could not put the ball in the end zone. They looked to Collins for a field goal. Unfortunately, Collins missed the 30 yard field goal and Virginia Union capitalized. Using the ground attack, the Panthers were able to swell the lead to 23-10 on a two-yard run by Elihu Smith.

Smith answered that score with a 14-yard pass from Richardson to Daniel Watkins to cut the lead to 23-17 early in the fourth quarter.

Donaldson recorded his second touchdown of the evening when he carried the ball eight yards into the end zone to swell the lead to 30-17.

With three minutes left in the game, JCSU chose to go for it on fourth and four, but the pass was intercepted by Niles Rainey in the end zone.

Despite JCSU holding Little to just 76 passing yards, the running duo of Donaldson and Smith combined for over 340 yards of rushing offense. Donaldson had 18 carries for 183 yards and two scores while Smith added 162 yards and a score.

Richardson completed 18 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 18 carries for 63 yards. Senior Brandon Benjamin had 9 receptions for a career best 130 yards and one touchdown.

Defensively, Fred Williams led all defenders with 12 total tackles and one forced fumble. Jimmie Massenburg chipped in six total tackles, one interception returned for 16 yards and one pass break-up.

Smith moves on to face St. Paul's next week while Virginia Union hosts Elizabeth City State. Kick-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the Irwin Belk Complex.