Oct. 9, 2010

Final Stats

PETERSBURG, VA -- A week ago, the Fayetteville State Broncos could not have envisioned a worse start.

Against Virginia State on Saturday, they couldn't have gotten off to a better one. And they needed it.

All of it.

Seven days after falling into a 19-0 hole less than 10 minutes into the game at St. Augustine's, the Broncos scored on their first two possessions against the Trojans, getting three touchdown passes from Robert Benjamin to hold off a furious Virginia State fourth-quarter charge to win 21-14.

Benjamin (Jr., Phoenix, Ariz.) hooked up with Anthony Williams (So., Clayton, N.C.) to cap a 63-yard opening drive and then found Dallin Gray (Fr., Colordao Springs, Colo.) for a 4-yard score with 15 seconds remaining in the first period as the Broncos (2-4, 1-2) dominated the first quarter, holding the ball for more than 10 minutes to race out to a 14-0 lead that was rarely threatened -- for three quarters.

Despite an interception on the Broncos' first series of the second half, Benjamin came right back and orchestrated another scoring drive midway through the third quarter. A 10-yard touchdown pass on a slant to Marques Wade (Sr., Atlanta, Ga.) handed Fayetteville State what appeared to be a comfortable 21-0 lead with 6:55 to go in the period.

It was anything but.

After rolling up more than 300 yards of total offense in the first three quarters while holding the Trojans (4-2, 2-1) to just 95, the Broncos stalled for much of the remaining 18 minutes. Meanwhile, Virginia State, which had been stopped with an interception in the end zone late in the first half, finally got into gear, capping a 48-yard, 11-play drive with a Jarred Battle 6-yard run to make it 21-7 with 9:52 remaining.

The Trojans got the ball back after Ian White picked off Benjamin at the Broncos' 26-yard line with 6:21 to go. Just two plays and a mere 28 seconds later, Battle made it 21-14 after a 1-yard plunge into the end zone.

The charge didn't end there.

Fayetteville State managed to pick up a first down on its next series, but was still forced to punt with 3:26 left. Taking over on his own 26, Battle again moved the Trojans down the field, connecting with Brian Berry for a 17-yard gain on third-and-20 to set up a short fourth down situation at the Broncos' 38. But Fayetteville State freshman linebacker Hakeen Vinson (Smithfield, NC) threw Antwain Lyde for a 2-yard loss, turning the ball back over to the Broncos with 1:48 remaining.

The Broncos failed to move the ball and after Virginia State used its three timeouts, the Trojans took over with 1:26 left at their own 30. Battle connected with Clarence Sims for 19 yards, and then Berry for 25 before hitting Timothy Paulk for 16 more yards to the Fayetteville State 10 with 41 seconds to go.

Battle's next three passes fell incomplete, setting up fourth-and-goal with 23 seconds remaining. The pass attempt fell incomplete, preserving the victory for the Broncos, who snapped a three-game losing streak.

The loss was a critical one for the Trojans, who overcame five turnovers in a 16-15 come-from-behind win over Bowie State last week. Virginia State came into the came tied atop the CIAA Northern Division standings with Elizabeth City State, which beat Virginia Union 17-14 to move to 3-0 in league play.

Benjamin finished 21-for-31 for 233 yards with two interceptions. He opened the game connecting on 11 of his first 13 passes. B.J. Washington, who had more than 100 yards receiving in his last two games, had five catches for 76 yards while Wade had four receptions for 42 yards and a score. Willians had four catches for 36 yards to go with his touchdown grab while Richard Medlin (Sr., Raleigh, N.C.) led the Broncos with 42 yards rushing on 19 carries.

Battle finished 21 of 38 for 229 yards with an interception, a play made by the Broncos' Joshua Wilkins (Jr., Riviera Beach, Fla.) in the end zone with 3:41 to go in the second half and the Broncos ahead 14-0. Berry had five catches for 99 yards while Lyde was held to 36 yards rushing on 11 carries. ?@ ?@