Oct. 18, 2007

Complete Virginia State Game Notes
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On Saturday, October 20, 2007, Johnson C. Smith University will host the Trojans of Virginia State University. Kick-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Irwin Belk Complex.

Series Record...This will be the 35th meeting between the two schools dating back to 1930. Virginia State leads the series 23-10-1.

The last four meetings:

September 14, 2002 L 23-19 (Ettrick, Va.)

September 8, 2001 L 34-7 (Charlotte, N.C.)

September 11, 1999 L 27-6 (Charlotte, N.C.)

September 6, 1997 L 31-0 (Ettrick, Va.)

Last Meeting...Johnson C. Smith University (0-3, 0-2 CIAA) took a heartbreaking 23-19 loss to Virginia State University (1-1). Freshman quarterback Donja' Goodson led the Golden Bulls by completing 16 of 33 passed for 274 yards and two scores. Senior Craig Brown, who plays offense, defense and special teams, had nine receptions for 199 yards and two touchdowns. He had two kick-off returns for 60 yards, one punt return for 21 yards and five total tackles (2 solo, 3 assisted).

Kenneth Nye and Reggie Broughton both had double digit tackles in the contest. Bye with 13 total (5 solo 8 assisted) and Broughton with 11 total (3 solo, 8 assisted).

BANGING WITH WILLIAMS

Senior linebacker Fred Williams is making noise in the trenches for the Golden Bulls. Against Saint Paul's, Williams had 15 total tackles (7 solo, and 8 assisted). His 15 tackles tied his career high. The Tampa, Fla. native has been bustin' opponent's chops for most of the season, leading his team and second in the CIAA with 73 total tackles.

TIME WARP

The last time the Golden Bulls beat Virginia State was 1986 (13-7) under head coach Horace Small. That season, JCSU went 5-5.

A LITTLE ELEVATION

Junior quarterback Carlton Richardson is just six passing yards away from 1,000 this season. This will be the first time in his career that he has crossed that milestone.

TUNING IN

Fans can log on to www.goldenbullsports.com to catch up-to-the minute statistics featuring action packed graphics via CSTV's Gametracker. Go to the football page and click on the Virginia State Game.

A Win this Weekend Would

- Break JCSU's three-game losing streak

- Improve JCSU's overall record to 3-5

- 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.

We Need This One

Johnson C. Smith has yet to defeat any of their eastern division foes. The team lost to both Virginia Union (30-17) and Saint Paul's (23-13). Virginia State marks the final eastern division opponent of the season.

Breaking the Slump

The Golden Bulls look to break out of a three-game losing slump that began in September. The last Golden Bull victory came at the hands of the Saint Augustine's Falcons, 33-30.

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. However, against Saint Paul's, the Bulls did not hit the scoreboard until the 3rd quarter.

Battle of the Quarterbacks

Both JCSU quarterback Carlton Richardson and VSU's quarterback Michael Terry are doing rather well in the conference. Terry has completed 77 passes for 1,021 yards and 10 touchdowns while Richardson has completed 74 passes for 994 yards and six touchdowns. Richardson has 264 rushing yards while Terry has been held to -34.

Scoring Streak...

JCSU has scored in 32 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 a 29-41 record at JCSU and led the Golden Bulls to a berth in the Pioneer Bowl (2006). He is 0-2 against the Trojans losing 47-18 in 1995 and 19-15 in 1996.

The Trojans are led by sixth-year head coach Andrew Faison. Faison has posted an overall record of 29-28 at Virginia State. This is his second meeting against JCSU as a head coach. His team knocked off JCSU 23-19 in 2003 at VSU.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

JCSU ... VSU

Scoring Offense: 19.7 pts/gm ... 24.0 pts/gm

Scoring Defense: 28.0 pts/gm ... 22.9 pts/gm

Total Offense: 274.0 yds/gm ... 318.7 yds/gm

Total Defense: 369.7 yds/gm ... 352.1 yds/gm

Rushing Offense: 229.6 yds/gm ... 187.9 yds/gm

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

Passing Offense: 151.9 yds/gm ... 183.1 yds/gm

Passing Defense: 140.1 yds/gm ... 164.3 yds/gm