Courtest of Fayetteville State Athletics
CHARLOTTE, NC – On a crisp Saturday afternoon, the Fayetteville State Broncos took to the sphere with willpower and grit, able to face the undefeated Johnson C. Smith (JCSU) Golden Bulls. The Broncos, sitting at 4-4 for the season and 3-3 in CIAA play, knew that they had a troublesome problem forward. However what unfolded was a masterclass in defensive soccer, as Fayetteville State shut out the Golden Bulls 27-0, handing them their first lack of the season.
“Complete staff effort at the moment,” jeered Head Coach Richard Hayes. “Offensively, we had a sport plan and needed to return out and assault them. Joe did a fairly good job managing the offense at the moment. Defensively, I really feel like we stuffed them. These guys performed actually arduous, and I’m actually happy with their effort of our protection. We held them below 200 yards and no factors on the board for the No. 16 ranked staff within the nation. We aren’t carried out but!”
From the primary whistle, it was clear that Fayetteville State’s protection was in prime type. The Broncos held JCSU to a mere 192 whole yards, a testomony to their relentless strain and strategic prowess. Joe Owens, Jr., the Broncos’ quarterback, led the cost on offense. He threw for 233 yards, connecting for one landing and struggling one interception. Owens additionally showcased his versatility by including 45 yards and one other landing on the bottom.
Derrick Alston, Jr. bolstered the speeding assault, gaining 39 yards and scoring a landing, whereas Kameron King was a dependable goal within the air, pulling in 5 catches for 53 yards and a landing. But it surely was the protection that really shone. Julius Cobbs made a standout play with an interception returned for a landing, whereas Solomon Barnes and Kaydin Thomas added essential tackles and a sack to stifle the Golden Bulls’ offense.
The sport started with a tense first quarter, nevertheless it was Fayetteville State who struck first. With 11:08 left within the second quarter, the Broncos broke the impasse, taking a 7-0 lead. They didn’t cease there. One other rating earlier than halftime prolonged their result in 14-0, placing the strain squarely on JCSU.
Because the third quarter wound down, Fayetteville State continued to dominate. With simply 1:24 left within the quarter, they scored once more, making it 21-0. The Broncos weren’t completed but. They added one other landing, sealing a commanding 27-0 lead. JCSU couldn’t mount a comeback and have been left scoreless as the ultimate whistle blew.
The sport was a showcase of Fayetteville State’s strengths. They out-gained JCSU 353-192, together with a 120-30 benefit on the bottom. The Broncos received the turnover battle 2-1, changing these turnovers into 13 factors. They have been environment friendly on third downs, changing 50% of their makes an attempt, and excellent on fourth down.
Fayetteville State’s protection was impenetrable, permitting zero factors in two Johnson C. Smith journeys to the pink zone and forcing one pink zone turnover. They didn’t enable a single sack and managed two touchdown-scoring drives of 90 or extra yards, the longest spanning 100 yards. The Broncos additionally managed the time of possession, holding the ball for 35:34 in comparison with the Golden Bulls’ 24:26.
Owens’ efficiency was notably noteworthy, finishing 75% of his passes (24-for-32) and averaging 7.3 yards per try. On the opposite facet, Darius Ocean led the Golden Bulls’ passing assault, finishing 15 of his 35 makes an attempt for 162 yards however was intercepted twice. Brevin Caldwell was Johnson C. Smith’s main receiver with 75 yards.
The followers have been ecstatic. One tweeted, “What a sport! Our protection was unstoppable at the moment. Proud to be a Bronco!” One other shared, “Joe Owens, Jr. was on fireplace! Nice win for Fayetteville State!” The joy was palpable as followers celebrated the Broncos’ dominant victory and the top of Johnson C. Smith’s undefeated streak.
With this victory, the Broncos set their sights on their ultimate common season sport in opposition to Winston-Salem State Rams in Winston-Salem, NC. The sport is scheduled for Saturday, November ninth, with a kick-off at 1:00 PM. The Broncos hope to hold this momentum ahead and end the season robust.
