CHARLOTTE, NC - On October 4, 2008, if you left the game after the halftime show you missed a real mind blowing performance. This game was not over until the 2nd half when the Blue Bears of Livingstone took charge of the game and turned the corner on their season. In the 61st meeting between Livingstone College and the Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University (formerly Biddle College) the story for this year would be the Blue Bears balance attacked. They would gain a season high 405 yards (227 in the air and 178 on the ground), which was lead by their by junior quarterback Steven Williams who was 14-30 for 3 touchdowns.
The game started with Rashaad Flucker fumbling on Livingstone’s opening drive which was quickly picked up by JCSU’s, Lamar Person. The Bulls then turned the ball over on downs but was reward again when the punt was accidently touched by William Graves of Livingstone. Kevin Hall made quick work of the situation and put the Golden Bulls on the scoreboard first with a 14 yard rush for a touchdown. The extra point was missed, but the Golden Bulls had an early lead in the first quarter 6-0. It took the Blue Bears until the end of the first quarter to get their heads together and put one in the end zone. Flucker was back on the field and determined to make up for his past mistake; and he did by earning 110 yards on 18 attempts.
But today’s story was written and directed by Steven Williams who took advantage of his unbelievable talent and well designed game plan by Head Coach Lamonte Massie to slowly pick and apart the Golden Bulls. After a 15 yard face mask penalty, Williams connected with Jamel Moore for 16 yards and then with Travis Allen for a 25 yard touchdown strike to knot things up to 6-6. The two would trade touchdowns and go into the half all even at 12-12.
Johnson C. Smith would get the ball to start the 3rd quarter and would start to drive until Robert Massie-Brice would sack and strip senior quarterback, Carl Richardson and pick up the fumble to return it to Johnson C. Smith’s 3 yard line. It would be Massie-Brice second sack on the day and his second game with fumble cause by a sack. The young leader of the Blue Bears’ defensive had 5 tackles, 2 sacks, and one force fumble for the day. From there Flucker would take the ball into the end zone to put the Blue Bears in front 19-12 early in the 3rd quarter. The Golden Bulls would give the ball right back to the Blue Bears after turnover on downs. Again, Williams would connect with his favorite target, Christopher Peoples on a 39 yard touchdown strike that would give Livingstone a 26-12 lead over Johnson C. Smith. Peoples would finish the game with 4 catches for 94 yards for the day.
Livingstone did not stop putting points on the score board and would add to their lead with two field goals by Dominic Piscitello which put the Blue Bears up by 13 points. Richardson would show some senior determination and true moxie by leading the Golden Bulls to a late touchdown which put them within 6 points 32-26. However, an unfavorable bounce off Golden Bull, Jamion Hollard, would land into the hands of Brandon Rousseau of Livingstone.
Alkeem Deloach had 9 tackles on the day to lead the Blue Bears on defensive in this classic battle. The final score was Livingstone College 32 and John C. Smith 26. This leaves the Blue Bears with a 3-3 overall record and 3-0 in the CIAA ( after the forfeited from Bowie State) and Johnson C. Smith 1-5, 0-3 respectively.
Bowie State forfeited (9/20) win vs. Livingstone -- eligibility
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