Blue Bears Falls to Johnson C. Smith, 27-14
SALISBURY — It was a week-long celebration and for 125 years, it all came down to one thing. The Football game. Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls defeated the Livingstone College Blue Bears 27-14, in the ninth annual Commemorative Classic, in Alumni Memorial Stadium, on Saturday afternoon.
Livingstone started the game with first possession until quarterback Xavier Longerbeam's pass was intercepted by JCSU's Tyki Lawson-Oates. Â Smith, then struck first with pass for 12 yards for the touchdown.
Take two on offense for the Blue Bears, as Longerbeam was again picked off, but this time by Bulls' safety Carlo Thomas, who scampered for the 30 yard touchdown. The point after attempt failed and JCSU led 13-0.
The Blue Bears made a run when, Thaddeus Bell found receiver Jordan Cartwright for a 17-yard reception that cut the JCSU lead to 13-6 in the second quarter.
The Golden Bulls went into halftime up 27-6, when Gabriel Yuille the Bulls' receiver went 76 yards for a touchdown.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Blue Bears engineered 62-yard drive capped by a 10 yard pass reception from Andrew Gamble from Bell. A nifty two-point conversion attempt when Justin Ruffin passed to tight end Brandon Duncan over the middle was good and LC drew to within 27-14.
The Blue Bears' defense held JCSU scoreless in the fourth quarter.
Gamble had four catches for 69 and one touchdown.
Jarod Richardson had seven tackles (2 solo, 5 assists), including and a tackle for loss.
The Commemorative Classic, is celebrating the 125th anniversary of the first black college football game — between Livingstone and Biddle College (now JCSU) in 1892, JCSU finished 2-8 overall and 2-5 in the CIAA. Livingstone ends the season 0-10 and 0-7.
Â
