Look out Charlotte. Johnson C. Smith, the Queen City’s own HBCU, runs record to 3-0

It’s been 11 years since Johnson C. Smith was 3-0, and it’s been probably even longer since there was this much hope and excitement around a Golden Bulls team that has averaged three wins a season for the past 40 years.

Smith played its first home game of the season on Saturday and showed a packed crowd why it’s ranked No. 2 in the nation among HBCU Division II teams.

It was exactly the home debut that head coach Maurice Flowers was looking for — a 52-6 thrashing of Lincoln (Pennsylvania.)

It was the most points Smith has scored in 11 years, when it started 3-0 and beat Bowie State 58-41.

“I want to say that these guys gave us what we asked for,” Flowers said. “The biggest thing we have not had in the previous two wins was a fast start, and we came out fast today.”

How fast?

Junior Ja’qun Wilkins took the opening kick 89 yards for a touchdown. One quick Lincoln three-and-out later, and the Golden Bulls were off and running again behind a strong ground game. This culminated in a 1-yard rushing touchdown by junior running back Quavaris Crouch, a Harding High grad.

Smith scored a field and another Crouch touchdown on its next two possessions.

Smith led 31-6 at halftime and Crouch scored his third touchdown of the game early in the third quarter.

“First I want to say shout out to God,” said Crouch, one of the nation’s top recruits coming out of high school who played at Tennessee and Michigan State before landing at Johnson C. Smith. “Also, the offensive line, I feel like they always do a good job of springing all our backs, and you know I feel like we have five really good backs, so they do a good job of that for us.”

Flowers said he admires how Crouch always spreads the praise.

“He is so unselfish,” Flowers said. “Last week he wanted his teammates to get a lot of the carries, this week he wanted his teammates to get a lot of the carries. So, when you got a guy who’s selfless like that, and he also practices a hundred miles an hour I’m just very pleased with that young man because his energy is contagious and he’s a physical runner.”

Three who made a difference

Quavaris Crouch, JC Smith: The man of the game, Crouch made several huge plays in route to a three-touchdown performance. Smith QB Darius Ocean also threw for 331 yards, 188 of it to former Ardrey Kell star Brevin Caldwell.

Kamarro Evans, JC Smith: The other Golden Bulls’ back to find the end zone, Evans had several big runs of his own, including a 31-yard touchdown that was called back.

Ja’qun Wilkins, JC Smith: His 82-yard kickoff return in the first quarter sparked his team and set the stage for the rout.

Scoring summary

JC Smith – 14 17 14 7 – 52

Lincoln – 0 6 0 0 – 6

First quarter

(JCS) – Ja’qun Wilkins 89 kickoff return (Jacob Meneses kick)

(JCS) – Quavaris Crouch 2 run (Meneses kick)

(JCS) – FG Meneses 27

Second quarter

(JCS) - Quavaris Crouch 32 run (Meneses kick)

(L) – Isaiah Freeman 5 run (kick failed)

(JCS) – Kamarro Evans 11 run (Meneses kick)

Third quarter

(JCS) – Crouch 2 run (Meneses kick)

(JCS) – Brevin Caldwell 80 pass from Darius Ocean (Meneses kick)

Fourth quarter

(JCS) – Mason Lawson 10 run (Meneses kick)