JCSU Falls to Wingate 38-18 in Season Opener

Charlotte, N.C. (Sept. 2, 2017) – Visiting Wingate jumped out to a 21-0 first quarter lead over Johnson C. Smith University on Saturday night at the Irwin Belk Complex and never trailed as they took a 38-18 win over the Golden Bulls in the season opener for both teams.

Wingate struck first after recovering a JCSU fumble on the opening kickoff.  Lawrence Pittman scored from three yards out to cap a seven play, 24-yard drive to put the Bulldogs up 7-0 at the 11:48 mark.

The Bulldogs made it 14-0 with 6:17 to play in the first after Malik Bledsoe hauled in a 5-yard pass from quarterback James Whitaker. The score ballooned to 21-0 at the end of the first when Whitaker connected with Jay Hood on a 13-yard strike.

The Golden Bulls responded in the second, as Wilson Curtis (Minneapolis, Minn.) plowed his way into pay dirt to cap a seven-play, 63-yard drive. The point after was blocked as JCSU trailed 21-6.

Wingate put 10 more points on the board in the third to up their cushion to 31-6 after a 25-yard field goal by Freddy McCollum and a 73-yard punt return from B.J. Muckelvene.

JCSU quarterback Terrance Ervin (Richmond, Va.) then scampered in from seven yards out to pull to within 31-12 with 11:54 left in the fourth.

Wingate added a touchdown on a three-yard rush from Blake Hayes to make it 38-12.  JCSU capped the scoring when Ervin connected with Roderick Carter (Miami, Fla.) on a 28-yard pass with 31 seconds remaining to provide the 38-18 final.

Individually for JCSU, Ervin finished with 228 yards on a 17-for-30 performance while throwing one interception. Ervin also rushed for 57 yards and a score. Carter was the lead JCSU receiver, as he caught five passes for 81 yards and a score.

Wingate got 152 yards rushing and one score from Blake Hayes while the James Whitaker led the Bulldog passing attack by finishing with 102 yards on an 8-of-19 outing with two touchdowns while throwing one interception.

Defensively for JCSU, Zach Cannon (Seat Pleasant, Md.) had seven tackles, including four solo stops.

The Golden Bulls will return to the field next week, hosting Virginia State in a nonconference matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. from the Irwin Belk Complex.