By Brandon Walker for Urban Media Today
Kelvin Durham threw five touchdown passes and rushed for another as Johnson C. Smith claimed its first CIAA championship since 1969, ending Virginia Union’s three-peat bid with a 45-21 win Saturday at Durham County Memorial Stadium.
On VUU’s first possession, VUU running back Curtis Allen fumbled, and JCSU’s Daryl Tayborn recovered the football. Three plays later, JCSU quarterback Kelvin Durham threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Brigman for the first points, putting the Golden Bulls ahead 7-0.
On VUU’s next possession, the Panthers committed their second turnover in as many drives when JCSU defensive back Latrae Bass intercepted a pass from VUU quarterback RJ Rosales as VUU approached field goal range.
On JCSU’s following possession, VUU’s Jayden Earley intercepted a pass from Durham and returned it 42 yards to JCSU’s 11-yard line. The Panthers’ Jaelhan Joyner then ran in a one-yard touchdown to tie the game at seven.
JCSU responded with a 33-yard touchdown catch by Reginald Daniel from quarterback Durham, capping a seven-play, 75-yard drive that included a 23-yard reception by tight end Cayden McKethan-Bell.
JCSU led 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.
VUU answered on its next drive with a five-yard touchdown run by Curtis Allen, finishing a seven-play, 49-yard drive that included a 19-yard scramble by quarterback RJ Rosales.
JCSU quickly responded with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Durham to DeAndre Proctor, Durham’s third touchdown toss of the half. This completed a 10-play, 71-yard drive and put the Golden Bulls up 21-14, which was the halftime score.
Midway through the third quarter, JCSU’s Durham connected with Proctor again for a 58-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead. Early in the fourth quarter, JCSU kicker Lukasz Smolen added to the lead with a 40-yard field goal.
On VUU’s ensuing possession, Rosales threw an interception to JCSU’s Tynan Tucker, setting the Golden Bulls up inside the Panthers’ red zone. Durham then finished the drive with a three-yard touchdown run to make it 35-14 late in the third quarter. Allen scored his second touchdown of the game for VUU, capping their scoring. JCSU responded with a 32-yard touchdown pass from Durham to Daniel.
Durham finished with 285 yards passing, and Proctor had 146 receiving yards on seven catches. Allen, who was named CIAA Offensive Player of the Year, rushed for 186 yards on 25 carries. JCSU avenged its only season loss, a 28-10 defeat at VUU on September 20.
Both teams now await their NCAA Division II playoff fate, with JCSU likely hosting a first-round game and VUU probably getting an at-large bid.
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