Oct. 10, 2007

Saint Paul's Game Notes
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Johnson C. Smith will host the Tigers of Saint Paul's College this Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 6 p.m. The Tigers are 1-5 while the Golden Bulls are 2-4.

Series Record...This will be the 16th meeting between the two schools dating back to 1949. Johnson C. Smith owns the Tigers with a series record of 13-2, including nine shutouts.

Last Meeting...Johnson C. Smith University (4-1, 2-1 CIAA) used a stellar defensive attack to hold on for a 13-7 victory over the host Tigers of St. Paul's College (2-3, 1-1 CIAA). The victory improves the Golden Bulls' record to 4-1 and 2-1 in the CIAA putting them in second place in the CIAA Western Division.

This marks the best start by a JCSU team since 1982 and the first time since 1998 that the Golden Bulls have been above .500 in the CIAA.

JCSU drew blood first on a 46-yard field goal by kicker Drew Vezina with 10:38 remaining in the first quarter. Sophomore quarterback Carlton Richardson found Marquis Belton for a four-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to put JCSU up 10-0 going into the intermission.

The third quarter saw Vezina convert a 23-yard field goal attempt giving JCSU the 13-0 advantage. The shut-out thinking Bulls unfortunately had an excessive celebration after a DJ Haynesworth sack late in the fourth quarter swinging the momentum to the Tigers. On the next series, quarterback Michael Garrison completed a 38-yard pass to Justin Calloway giving SPC great field position at the JCSU 15-yard line. Six plays and a defensive pass interference call later, Michael Garrison carried the ball into the end zone ending the Golden Bull's thoughts of a shut-out with 45 seconds remaining in regulation.

On the ensuing kick-off, Donja' Goodson downed the SPC attempt for the on-side kick and all JCSU had to do was take a knee a couple times and preserve their undefeated record away from home.

Richardson completed 11 of 20 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown. Yannick Murray had his best game of the season with 23 carries for 98 yards while Belton had 6 receptions for 96 yards and a score.

Defensively, Ed Wilson led all defenders with 15 tackles (4 solo, 11 assisted), one for a loss of four yards. Jerrell Goodwin contributed 9 tackles while senior Omar Bizzell had 8, including 1.5 for a loss of two yards. The defense held SPC to just 198 yards of total offense.

A Win this Weekend Would

- Break JCSU's two-game losing streak

- Improve JCSU's overall record to 3-4

- Even JCSU's conference record to 2-2

- Give Daryl McNeill his 30th career win and 20th win at JCSU

KEY INJURIES... William Burgess (knee) out for season, Elijah Ashley (knee) out for season, Marco Kirven (leg) out for season, Miguel Moore (side) doubtful.

Whose Got Next?

Coming into the season, senior Marco Kirven was the favorite at the tailback position. With Kirven out for the season, head coach Daryl McNeill has to make a decision regarding the next starter at tailback.

Injury Bug

Johnson C. Smith has been bitten by the injury bug. Four defensive starters have been injured and one offensive starter. Three have been confirmed to be out for the season.

1st Quarter Woes

Johnson C. Smith finally broke their five-game 1st quarter scoring drought on a 18-yard field goal by Herbert Collins, III with 7 minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Offense Improving

JCSU had their best offensive outing of the year as they were two yards short of the 400 mark. Carlton Richardson accounted for 297 yards (234 in the air and 63 on the ground).

Benjamin's Career Best

Senior wide receiver Brandon Benjamin had 9 receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown. He was named CIAA Wide Receiver of the Week for his efforts.

Scoring Streak...

JCSU has scored in 31 consecutive games dating back to a 56-0 shutout by Wofford in 2004.

October Nights...JCSU will play three of its four home games in October at night (6:00 p.m.). The final home game will be Homecoming vs. Fayetteville State at 1:00 p.m.

The Coaches...The Golden Bulls are coached by third-year head coach Daryl C. McNeill. McNeill has posted an 29-40 record at JCSU and led the Golden Bulls to a berth in the Pioneer Bowl (2006). He is 1-1 against the Tigers.

The Tigers are led by third-year head coach Willard Bailey. Bailey has posted an overall record of 7-19 at Saint Paul's. This is his 23rd meeting against JCSU as a head coach. Bailey as posted a record of 20-2 against JCSU including two stints at Virginia Union, one stop at Norfolk State, and now at Saint Paul's.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

JCSU ... SPC

Scoring Offense: 20.8 pts/gm ... 13.7 pts/gm

Scoring Defense: 28.8 pts/gm ... 37.0 pts/gm

Total Offense: 294.3 yds/gm ... 192.7 yds/gm

Total Defense: 367.5 yds/gm ... 405.7 yds/gm

Rushing Offense: 125.3 yds/gm ... 50.0 yds/gm

Rushing Defense: 221.3 yds/gm ... 225.5 yds/gm

Passing Offense: 169.0 yds/gm ... 142.7 yds/gm

Passing Defense: 146.2 yds/gm ... 180.2 yds/gm

TICKET INFORMATION:

$10 ADULTS, $5 CHILDREN. PARKING IS $5. TICKET BOOTH OPENS AT 4 P.M. IN BRAYBOY GYMNASIUM. ADVANCE TICKETS MAY BE PURCHASED BY CALLING 704-378-1145 OR STOP BY BIDDLE HALL 3RD FLOOR BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8 A.M. - 1 P.M. AND 2 P.M. - 5 P.M.