For the primary time since 1969, the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls sit atop the CIAA soccer mountain, beating Virginia Union 45-21 within the convention title recreation.
Although that is Johnson C. Smith’s second CIAA championship at school historical past, that is their first within the championship recreation period, shedding within the inaugural recreation in 1970 and in 1972.
The Golden Bulls get revenge on the Panthers, who beat them 28-10 of their regular-season matchup on September 20.
The win additionally places an finish to Virginia Union’s championship streak, coming into this contest on the lookout for its second three-peat at school historical past.
Kelvin Durham put forth a profession efficiency for the Golden Bulls, ending with 285 passing yards on 16-of-29 passing, tying a career-high with 5 passing touchdowns (additionally scored a dashing landing).
His prime receiver, Deandre Proctor, posted a season-high 146 receiving yards on seven receptions and scored two touchdowns. Reggie Brigman scored on two of his three receptions, tallying 61 yards.
Regardless of the loss, CIAA Participant of the 12 months Curtis Allen had a robust efficiency for the Panthers, dashing for 183 yards on 25 makes an attempt and scoring two touchdowns.
Johnson C. Smith set the tone for the sport on its first defensive possession, with a success by Daryl Taybron forcing a fumble on a rush try by Allen to provide the offense the ball in plus territory.
Two performs later, the Golden Bulls discovered the tip zone on a 19-yard connection from Durham to Brigman for the sport’s first factors.
On Virginia Union’s ensuing offensive possession, they turned the ball over to Johnson C. Smith as soon as once more, with an underthrown ball getting intercepted by Latrae Bass.
This time, the Panthers returned the favor as a miscommunication by Golden Bulls receivers led to an open interception for Jayden Earley, stepping out of bounds on the return to erase a landing.
Nevertheless, the offense would end the job with Jaehlan Joyner punching it into the tip zone for a landing to even the rating.
This was the primary in a four-drive stretch by which each groups traded touchdowns between the primary and second quarters, ending with the Golden Bulls main 21-14 at halftime.
The second half is the place Johnson C. Smith started to create separation, after limiting Virginia Union to a area aim on its first offensive drive within the half.
After averting catastrophe, stopping a turnover by recovering a fumble, Durham discovered Proctor downfield for a 58-yard landing move.
Then, on Virginia Union’s first offensive play after the rating, they turned the ball over as soon as once more, getting a high-sailing move intercepted by Tynan Tucker.
The Golden Bulls would construct on their lead, turning an prolonged drive right into a landing on a QB keeper by Durham, making the rating 35-14.
This could be the start of the tip for Virginia Union, as Johnson C. Smith would convert a area aim and rating one other landing for insurance coverage, securing the win.
Johnson C. Smith will now stay up for what will probably be its first Division II Playoff berth at school historical past.
Ranked third in the newest Tremendous Area One Rankings, they’re assured to host their first-round contest.
In the meantime, although Virginia Union is predicted to make the Division II Playoff area, questions now come up as as to if or not they may begin at residence or on the highway following this loss.
The NCAA is predicted to announce the Division II Playoff area tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. ET on NCAA.com.
