Oct. 11, 2008

Final Stats |  Photo Gallery 

Johnson C. Smith University scored 16 unanswered fourth quarter points to defeat Saint Augustine’s College 19-13. Despite the win for the Golden Bulls, both teams leave with even records of 2-5 overall, 1-3 in conference play.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Falcons struck first on a 14-yard pass from Kris Brownlee to Jone’ Harris mid-way through the second quarter. Four minutes later, Julius Wright (Fort Worth, Texas) set a new JCSU school record with a 48-yard field goal to cut the to 7-3. That would be as far as either team would get heading into the intermission.

Similar to the first quarter, neither team could find the end zone and the score remained 7-3 going into the final stanza. Brownlee and Harris connected yet again early in the fourth quarter to give the Falcons a 13-3 lead following a botched PAT attempt.

That’s when JCSU went to work. Kenny Strickland (San Jose, Calif.) capped off an eight play, 71-yard drive with an eight yard run that ended with a somersault in the end zone cutting the lead to 13-10. Exactly 10 seconds later, on the ensuing  drive, Billy Graham (Greensboro, N.C.) tackled Myron Miller in the end zone for a safety and all of a sudden the Golden Bulls were back in the game 13-12.

With just 6:18 remaining in regulation, Joshua Battle returned the kick-off 24 yards to give the Golden Bulls excellent field position at the SAC 41-yard line. Once again, Strickland found pay dirt with an 18-yard pass reception from none other than Carlton Richardson (Columbia, S.C.) that included a scintillating 12 yards running after the catch to give the Golden Bulls their first lead of the game, a lead which they would never relinquish.

Colby Harden (Charlotte, N.C.) led all defenders with a career high 15 total tackles (six solo, nine assisted), 1.5 for a loss of one yard and one fumble recovery. Graham was not far behind with 12 total tackles (six solo, six assisted), one for a loss of three yards and one forced fumble.

The offensive story of the night stems from the play of Strickland. Strickland, who was playing in his first game as a Golden Bull, was a force to be reckoned with. He led the team in all-purpose yards with 88, primarily as a wide receiver. Richardson completed 20 of 35 passes for 215 yards and one touchdown.

JCSU will travel to Fayetteville, N.C. to take on the red hot Broncos of Fayetteville State University next Saturday, October 18, 2008. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Luther “Nick” Jeralds Complex.