By Jason Pompey

Virginia State University’s football team rallied to score 21 second half points, but Johnson C. Smith University defeated the Trojans 28-21 on Saturday, September 22 in Charlotte, NC. Defensive back Sean Smith (Rs.-Jr./Atlanta, GA) intercepted a JCSU pass and returned it for a 58 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

In the first half, Virginia State combined for a total of 77 yards (56 passing, 21 rushing) and allowed 259 (196 passing, 63 rushing) yards from Johnson C. Smith. The Trojans had a miserable first half turning the ball over three times. Quarterback LaMonta Green (Rs.-Jr/Los Angeles, CA) went 6 for 16 in the first half for 56 yards with two interceptions. Green threw to four receivers including a long of 17 yards to wide receiver Alan Anderson (Sr./Emporia, VA). Running back Tyler Wilson (So./Woodbridge, VA) carried the ball ten times in the first half for 30 yards.

The Golden Bulls hung 21 first quarter points on the Trojans. JCSU’s Keahn Wallace scored on a 1-yard rush at the 10:32 mark in the opening quarter.  Wallace threw two more scores in the first quarter; a 5-yard pass to Chris Peterson for a score and a 33-yard pass to Matthew Jefferies. Wallace completed 17 of 24 attempts in the first half for 196 yards. VSU linebacker Brandon Robinson (So./Mechanicsville, VA) recorded an interception and returned it for 69 yards in the second quarter.  VSU was unable to score any first half points, going into the half down 21-0.

The Trojans finally woke up in the third quarter with an 18 yard touchdown pass completion. Tight end Le’Mont Lewis (Sr./Virginia Beach, VA) caught a pass from LaMonta Green at the 11:22 mark in the third quarter giving the Trojans their first score of the game. Green completed all five pass attempts in the third quarter for 48 yards. VSU’s Gene Holloman (So./ Virginia Beach, VA) caught two passes for 23 yards in the third quarter. JCSU added a touchdown at the 4:47 mark, as Wallace threw a 7-yard touchdown to Fred Scott, extending the Golden Bulls lead 28-7.

VSU’s defensive back Sean Smith picked off JCSU’s Wallace and scored on a 58 yard interception early in the fourth quarter. The Trojans still trailed 28-14 at the 13:03 mark in the final quarter. VSU’s Green went down with an injury in the fourth quarter and Jarred Battle (Sr./ Norfolk, VA) took over the VSU offense. Battle completed 6 of 14 pass attempts for 69 yards and threw a 17 yard pass completion to William Mitchell (Jr./St. Petersburg, FL)  with 47 seconds remaining in the game. Mitchell caught three passes for 31 yards. The Trojans were unable to recover an onside kick and the Golden Bulls won the game 28-21.

Defensively, Brandon Robinson led the Trojans with 11 tackles (6 solo, 5 ast). VSU’s Darion Thomas (Rs.-Fr./Virginia Beach, VA) and Darell Young (Sr./Fort Lauderdale, FL) had 8 tackles each. The Trojans defense gave up 471 total yards (133 rushing, 338 passing). Offensively, VSU accounted for 242 yards (69 rushing, 173 passing).

The Trojans (1-3) will host Shaw University Saturday, September 29,  at 6:00 p.m. in Ettrick, VA.

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Jason Pompey is Sports Information Officer for Virginia State University Athletics:  Email: JPompey@VSU.edu