Hear from JCSU football head coach Maurice Flowers, linebacker Benari Black, running back Quavaris Crouch, and quarterback Darius Ocean after the Golden Bulls’ 21-16 win over reigning CIAA champion Virginia Union.
Game recap courtesy of JCSU athletics below.
CHARLOTTE – In a thrilling game, Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) football displayed a strong offensive performance to secure a 21-16 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association victory over defending CIAA Champions, Virginia Union University on Saturday night inside Irwin Belk Complex. The Golden Bulls are 4-0 for the first time since 1982.
JCSU (4-0, 1-0) struck first with a four-yard touchdown run by Quavaris Crouch, capping a 14-play, 70-yard drive as the Golden Bulls led 7-0.
VUU (1-2, 0-1) responded with a 42-yard field goal by Brady Myers to cut the JCSU lead to 7-3.
In the second quarter, JCSU extended their lead with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Darius Ocean to Crouch, completing a 70-yard drive leading 14-3. VUU narrowed the gap with a one-yard touchdown run by Jada Byers, though the extra point attempt failed, VUU was down 14-9 before halftime..
Crouch scored again with a one-yard run, finishing a marathon 19-play, 99-yard drive 21-9 late in the third quarter.
Late in the fourth quarter, VUU fought back with a three-yard touchdown run by Byers, to cap off a 74-yard drive, 21-16.
Ocean led the passing attack, completing 17 of 28 attempts for 282 yards. He threw one touchdown and had no interceptions, with his longest pass being 56 yards. He was sacked twice.
Kamarro Edmonds carried the ball 14 times, for 53 yards. His longest run was 13 yards, averaging 3.8 yards per carry.
Quavaris Crouch had 19 rushing attempts and also rushed for 53 yards. He scored two touchdowns, with his longest run being 14 yards, averaging 2.8 yards per carry.
Jalen Alexander was a force on the field, recording eight total tackles (5 solo and 3 assisted). He made 3.5 tackles for loss (TFL) totaling 11 yards and achieved 2 sacks for a loss of 9 yards.
Benari Black also had a strong game, contributing seven total tackles (4 solo and 3 assisted).