Fayetteville State's defense delivered a stellar performance, holding the previously undefeated Johnson C. Smith to just 30 rushing yards, as the Broncos secured a dominant 27-0 victory on the road Saturday afternoon. The win brings Fayetteville State to a 4-4 record overall and 3-3 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play, while the Golden Bulls drop to 8-1 overall and 5-1 in the conference.
The game began with the Broncos opening the scoring with 11:08 left in the second quarter, thanks to a touchdown pass from
Joe Owens. This early score set the tone for the game, giving the Broncos a 7-0 lead. Fayetteville State extended their lead to 14-0 before halftime, showcasing Owens' dual-threat capability with a mix of effective passing and rushing. Owens finished the game with 213 passing yards, completing 26 of 34 attempts (76.5%), one touchdown, and one interception. He also added 46 rushing yards on the ground.
Mali Harris-Strayhorn was Owens' top target, catching nine passes for 117 yards.
Kameron King was another key receiver who caught five passes for 53 yards and a touchdown.
The Broncos' defense was relentless throughout the game, particularly in stopping Johnson C. Smith's ground game, limiting them to just 30 rushing yards. Key defensive plays included multiple tackles for loss and sacks, with standout performances from
Elijah Casey, who led the defensive effort with eight tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss (TFL), 0.5 sacks, and one interception. Solomon Barnes added five tackles and one interception, while
Kaydin Thomas contributed with 1.5 TFL and one sack.
Kolby Merritt also had a notable game with eight tackles and a pass breakup.
Late in the third quarter, with 1:24 remaining, Fayetteville State increased their lead to 21-0, maintaining momentum and putting the game out of reach for the Golden Bulls. The final touchdown in the fourth quarter sealed the victory, bringing the final score to 27-0. The defense forced two critical interceptions, one by
Elijah Casey (a pick-six) and another by Solomon Barnes, which were pivotal in stopping Johnson C. Smith's drives and leading to 13 points for Fayetteville State. The Broncos' defense was particularly effective in the red zone, preventing Johnson C. Smith from scoring on two trips inside the 20-yard line, including a crucial red-zone turnover.
The Broncos outgained Johnson C. Smith 337-192, including a 124-30 advantage on the ground, and controlled the clock with a time of possession of 35:34 to 24:26. FSU's offense was efficient on third downs, converting 8 of 16 attempts, and perfect on fourth downs (2-for-2). They also did not allow a sack in the contest, showcasing strong offensive line play.
Fayetteville State will face Winston-Salem State in their next game on Saturday, November 9th, at 1:00 PM. The game will be held at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC.
