HBCU Legends

Fort Valley State Defeats Johnson C. Smith In the Inaugural Florida Beach Bowl

Fort Valley State emerged victorious in the first-ever Florida Beach Bowl.

Kyle T. Mosley

Fort Valley State emerged victorious in the first-ever Florida Beach Bowl by defeating Johnson C. Smith 23-10. The Wildcats senior running back Brandon Marshall scored twice in the win. He started the scoring by rushing for a touchdown after a 12-play, 75-yard opening drive to lead 7-0.

In the second quarter, the weather helped Fort Valley to force a safety off a mishandled football in the endzone by the Golden Bulls punter to go up 9-0 with 4:19 on the clock. However, JCS couldn't hold possession and punted back to the Wildcats. Kelvin Durham guided the Fort Valley to an 8-play, 60-yard march for a Brandon Marshall 9-yard touchdown reception with 15 seconds before halftime.  The Wildcats led 16-0 controlling the pace and tempo of the game.

The Golden Bulls trailed 16-0 coming out of intermission. After a Wildcats punt and personal foul, Johnson C. Smith was on the 15-yard line in a prime position to score. But the Fort Valley top-ranked defense held, and Morillon-Garcia finally booted a 30-yard field goal to get on the scoreboard, 16-3. 

In the next possession, Kelvin Durham located Jaren Lawson along the Johnson C. Smith sidelines and outran the Golden Bulls' secondary for an 84-yard touchdown strike. The Wildcats extended the lead 23-3 with 4:16 in the third quarter.  

Johnson C. Smith running back Jacob Newman burst left through the offensive line for a 6-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 23-10 with 2:14 remaining in the third stanza. Both teams abstained from scoring in the final quarter, as the Wildcats prevailed 23-10 in the first Florida Beach Bowl. 

Fort Valley amassed 243 yards of offense compared to the Johnson C. Smith's 150 total yards in the contest.   Quarterback Kelvin Durham was highly efficient in the pouring rain completing 10-of-14 passes for 167 yard and two touchdowns.   Brandon Marshall rushed 25 times for 65 yards, one rushing touchdown and a receiving score.

Johnson C. Smith's signal-caller Jamere Cherry had a rough outing by connecting on 8-of-23 passes for 72 yards.  The Golden Bulls had four rushers to total 54 yards on the evening.

Florida Beach Bowl Is Ready For Kick-Off

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Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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