Carlo Thomas’ best day of football put Johnson C. Smith in position to finish the season on a roll.

The sophomore free safety intercepted a school-record four passes and returned two for touchdowns in the Golden Bulls’ 37-20 CIAA Southern Division win against Fayetteville State last week. The victory broke a four-game losing skid for JCSU, which won for the first time at home under coach Kermit Blount.

“The most I ever had in a game was two,” said Thomas, who is second in the nation with seven interceptions. “The defense played well. The line got pressure, we did our assignments and the quarterback made some bad throws.”

Thomas’ heroics gave JCSU (2-5, 1-3 CIAA) some positive momentum heading into the final third of the season, which starts with homecoming Saturday against Shaw. His interception of Derek Bryant’s pass and 43-yard return for a score gave the Golden Bulls breathing room at 31-20 with 1 minute, 5 seconds in the third. The game-clincher was a 24-yarder in which he scored untouched and for good measure picked off Bryant in the end zone to kill a Fayetteville State drive late in the fourth.

“It puts us in a situation where we’re playing with some confidence,” Blount said. “But at the same time, it’s a new week, a new ball game. Shaw is totally different from Fayetteville State. We have to prepare for some of the things they do and this is going to be a tough week of practice.”

JCSU, which beat FSU for just the second time in eight meetings, got a boost from the offense, which outgained Fayetteville State 309 yards to 278 with no turnovers, a major accomplishment for the Golden Bulls, who led the nation with 23 going into the game.

“I thought it was a huge win for our team and the young guys,” said freshman quarterback Harold Herbin, who hit 5-of-11 passes for 124 yards and a pair of touchdowns in addition to 90 yards rushing. “I think this is the jumpstart to something that can be very special.”

JCSU’s season-ending schedule is favorable, too, with Shaw, St. Augustine’s and Livingstone a combined 3-16. Although the Golden Bulls are a longshot to win the Southern Division at 1-1, three more wins would clinch a .500 season and at least a second-place finish.

“I keep preaching to the team we’ve got a shot at the Southern Division,” linebacker Austin Jacques said. “All we need is a little help, a couple of things to happen. All we need is to win out. It’s big for the team.”

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