CHARLOTTE – In a stunning upset that reshapes the conference standings, Fayetteville State dominated fourth-ranked Johnson C. Smith 27-0 on Saturday at the Irwin Belk Complex in Charlotte, ending the Golden Bulls' eight-game winning streak.
The Broncos (4-4, 3-3) controlled every phase of the game against Johnson C. Smith (8-1, 5-1), combining an efficient offense with a smothering defense that held one of the region's top teams scoreless. The victory marked Fayetteville State's most significant win of the season and introduced uncertainty into JCSU's playoff positioning just days before the release of the initial NCAA Division II Super Region Two rankings.
After a scoreless first quarter, Fayetteville State broke through with an impressive 16-play, 90-yard drive that showcased their offensive capabilities. Quarterback Joe Owens Jr. connected with Kameron King on a 7-yard touchdown pass, giving the Broncos a 7-0 lead with 11:08 remaining in the second quarter.
The Broncos extended their lead before halftime when Der Alston Jr. scored on a 10-yard run, capping a seven-play, 68-yard drive to make it 14-0. Fayetteville State's offense continued to find success against a JCSU defense that had been among the region's best, accumulating 353 total yards.
Owens orchestrated another lengthy drive in the third quarter, leading the Broncos 100 yards in 11 plays. He finished the drive himself with a 1-yard touchdown run, pushing the lead to 21-0. The quarterback finished with 233 passing yards, completing 24 of 32 attempts.
Julius Cobbs sealed the victory with 1:55 remaining, returning an interception 53 yards for the final touchdown. The defensive score highlighted a dominant performance by the Broncos' defense, which limited JCSU to just 192 total yards and 30 yards rushing.
Harris-Strayhor led all receivers with eight catches for 95 yards, while Julia Milligan added two receptions for 60 yards. The Broncos' ground game was effective, with Alston Jr. gaining 39 yards and Jamari Slade breaking free for a 32-yard run.
JCSU's typically potent offense struggled throughout the afternoon. Quarterback Darius Ocean completed 15 of 35 passes for 162 yards but threw two interceptions. Brevin Caldwell caught eight passes for 75 yards in the losing effort.
The Broncos' defense pressured Ocean consistently, recording two sacks and seven tackles for loss. Caleb Legrand led the defensive effort with seven tackles and a pass breakup, while Taevion Cox added five tackles including 2.5 for loss.
Despite the loss, JCSU's Benari Black had an outstanding defensive performance with 16 total tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss.
Fayetteville State controlled the clock, holding the ball for over 35 minutes while converting 7 of 14 third downs. The Broncos' defense held JCSU to just 4 of 13 on third down conversions and stopped them on both red zone opportunities.
The upset victory gives Fayetteville State momentum heading into their final games, while Johnson C. Smith must regroup quickly to maintain their position in the conference title race.
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