FAYETTEVILLE, NC --Johnson C. Smith mounted a dramatic nine-play, 69-yard scoring drive capped by a six-yard rushing touchdown with just 13 seconds remaining, handing Fayetteville State a heartbreaking 17-14 loss Saturday afternoon at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium.
 
The Golden Bulls improved to 8-1 overall and 6-1 in CIAA play, while the Broncos dropped to 5-4 on the season and 5-1 in the conference.
 
Fayetteville State trailed 10-0 early but rallied in the fourth quarter with 14 unanswered points. Bryce Council led the Broncos' ground game with 78 rushing yards and a touchdown, averaging six yards per carry. Demari Daniels added 14 yards on the ground, while Xayden Watson hauled in two receptions for 62 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown strike from Daniels that gave the Broncos a 14-10 lead late in the game.
 
Defensively, Fayetteville State held Johnson C. Smith to 328 total yards and won the turnover battle 2-0, converting those takeaways into seven points. Shawn Robinson led the defensive front with four tackles, two tackles for loss, and two sacks. Jatavien Taylor added 10 tackles, one tackle for loss, and an interception, while Ryan Debow recovered a fumble.
 
Despite the strong defensive effort, Johnson C. Smith's final drive proved decisive. Quarterback Kelvin Durham completed 20 of 27 passes for 182 yards and one interception, while Bobby Smith led the Golden Bulls' rushing attack with 113 yards and the game-winning touchdown.
 
Fayetteville State finished with 236 total yards and converted four of 13 third-down attempts. The Broncos had four players record at least eight tackles, led by Matthew Leach with 12. All 14 of Fayetteville State's points came in the fourth quarter, as the offense came alive after halftime.
 
The loss marks a setback for the Broncos in their pursuit of a CIAA title, but they remain in contention heading into the final stretch of the season.

The Broncos will return home next Saturday, November 8, to host Winston-Salem State for Senior Day at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM, and Fayetteville State will honor its senior student-athletes in their final home appearance of the season.