Box Score
CHARLOTTE, NC – Despite racking up 249 rushing yards Saturday the Blue Bears fell short of grabbing their first win of the season in the 2nd Annual Commemorative Classic as the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls defeated Livingstone 26-13 at Memorial Stadium.
The Blue Bears received the opening kickoff and after picking up a couple first downs failed on a fourth down conversion and turned the ball over to the Golden Bulls. Johnson C. Smith also attempted to convert a fourth down, but was unsuccessful and the ball went back over to Livingstone.
Livingstone punted on the ensuing possession, but the Blue Bears weren't without the ball for long. On the next drive by the Golden Bulls, the Blue Bears forced a fumble that was recovered by Devonta Harmon and the Blue Bears took over. Despite the boost from the defense the offense still sputtered and again turned the ball over on downs. With 2:34 left in the first quarter the Golden Bulls got on the scoreboard behind a 16-yard run to go up 7-0.
The Blue Bears got the second quarter started on a positive note when Levon Stanley capped off an impressive drive with a nine-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7. Just over a minute later Johnson C. Smith regained the lead on a 59-yard touchdown hook up. The extra point was blocked and the Golden Bulls led 13-7.
Livingstone's ensuing possession was again positive on the yardage and the Blue Bears got down to the Johnson C. Smith four yard line. Livingstone had a fourth down and goal to go and opted against the field goal attempt and the running play failed and the ball was again turned over on downs. Johnson C. Smith took full advantage and hooked up on another big pass play, this time 75 yards for a touchdown. The Blue Bear special teams blocked another extra point try and Johnson C. Smith led 19-7, the halftime score.
For an unknown reason the Blue Bears got the opening kick of the second half after also receiving it in the first half. The first drive for the Blue Bears ended on a turnover on downs. Johnson C. Smith took over and capped off an eight-play, 65-yard drive with a 21-yard run to go up 26-7 with the extra point. After a Livingstone punt on the next possession, Shawntez Jones picked off his first pass of the season to give the ball back to the Blue Bears.
The fourth quarter started with a Livingstone punt followed less than two minutes later by a Johnson C. Smith punt. Starting quarterback Levon Stanley was injured in the next series and backup Curtis Edens entered the game. On his first pass, Edens was intercepted giving the ball back to the Golden Bulls. With 8:10 to go in the game the Golden Bulls turned the ball over on downs.
Livingstone took over on the 39 yard line of Johnson C. Smith and drove 61 yards on 11 plays to get into the end zone on a seven-yard run by Tevin Mishoe. The Blue Bears attempted a two-point conversion that failed and the Golden Bulls led 26-13. Livingstone attempted an onside kick that was recovered by Johnson C. Smith which allowed the Golden Bulls to run out the clock and take 26-13 victory.
Terrill Gourdine and Tevin Mishoe led the Blue Bears rushing attack Saturday as they racked up 81 and 80 yards rushing respectively. Levon Stanley also had 54 yards rushing in addition to 37 yards passing. Defensively, Bryan Aycoth led the Blue Bears with nine tackles while Shawntez Jones totaled six and one interception.
Overall the Blue Bears totaled 286 yards of total offense with 249 yards coming on the ground. The Blue Bears held the Golden Bulls to only 145 yards on the ground but allowed 283 yards through the air.
The game marked the final contest for defensive lineman Aaron Williams and wide receiver Kevin Shelf who are both graduating seniors.
