‘It’s a grown man’s game:’ JCSU rides physical defense

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Johnson C. Smith linebackers Jack Smith (2) and Dirk Cureton tackle Bluefield State's Jahdir Loftland in the Golden Bulls' 30-13 win Saturday at Eddie McGirt Field. JCSU (2-1, 1-0 CIAA) is over .500 after three games for the first time since 2013.

Johnson C. Smith is playing grown-up defense.

The Golden Bulls turned in another strong outing in Saturday’s 30-13 win against Bluefield State in a CIAA crossover game. The mix of transfers and maturity from last year’s core group is paying dividends for JCSU (2-1), which is above .500 after three games for the first time since 2013.

“Last year, we had a lot of young guys,” said linebacker Jack Smith, a Purdue transfer who led the Golden Bulls with nine tackles (three for loss) against Bluefield State. “This year we put the pieces together, so this year everybody is more experienced. We work together, we work hard every day. Now that we know what we’ve got this year, all we’ve got to do is go out and play more physical than any other team we play.”

The Golden Bulls, who’ve outscored opponents 88-30, were more physical than Bluefield State (1-2), conceding just 231 yards, including 74 rushing. It was more than enough to support the offense, which accounted for 207 yards with Robert Adams starting at quarterback in place of Tyrell Jackson (illness). Special teams made a profound impact when Tyler Schultz, a Lenoir-Rhyne transfer, blocked a pair of punts that led to 10 points, including a 45-yard Daryl Taybron touchdown return for a 20-0 lead 35 seconds before halftime.

“This is my first game blocking a kick,” said Schultz, a backup receiver. “It’s not me alone. There’s 10 other guys on the field doing a job that you can just see one person get the block, but I promise you the 10 other guys are working just as hard and are setting it up so I could get that block.”

A week after turning the ball over seven times in a 14-9 loss to Walsh (Ohio), JCSU eliminated the mistakes against Bluefield State. Adams, who completed 7 of 16 passes for 45 yards, ran for 38 yards and a score.

The Golden Bulls ran for 162 yards paced by freshman tailback Shydem McCullough’s (Chester High) 51 yards. And the defense, outside of allowing a 56-yard touchdown run by Jahdi Loftland in the third quarter, kept a lid on the Big Blue.

“With football, once you get a lead and … hit somebody in the mouth first and be more physical than them, then they’re going to fold anyways,” Smith said. “No matter if it’s Bluefield State or whoever is on the schedule. Tonight, it was Bluefield State. We had to come out and be physical, hit them in the mouth first and show them that it’s a grown man’s game out here.”

It’s helped JCSU survive the challenges at quarterback, where Jackson will be re-evaluated before determining his availability for Saturday’s game at Lincoln. The Golden Bulls are playing well enough in all three phases to win games they lost a season ago.

“It’s complimentary football, which is good defense, good special teams play and offense just doing enough,” coach Maurice Flowers said. “We had some dropped balls that were big plays; we had a couple overthrows where we missed some guys, but that’s all with a guy getting his first start of the season. We look forward to being better.”

What’s working

JCSU’s defense. For the third straight week, the Golden Bulls dictated terms, allowing a pair of Bluefield State touchdowns in the second half. The Golden Bulls tallied three sacks and 14 tackles for loss.

A little help, please

JCSU mustered a pedestrian 45 yards passing, a steep drop from the previous two weeks when Tyrell Jackson was at quarterback. It didn’t matter, though, as special teams and the ground game were more than sufficient.

Key numbers

0 – As in no turnovers for the Golden Bulls a week after seven giveaways against Walsh.

2 – The number of punts JCSU special teams player Tyler Schultz blocked, which led to 10 points. Also the number of sacks tallied by defensive tackle Steny Joseph.

3 – Alejandro Morillon-Garcia field goals with no misses. He’s 4-of-4 this season.

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