Wingate, N.C. ----Wingate University junior running back and pre-season first team All-South Atlantic Conference Lawrence Pittman (Charlotte, N.C.) had 16 carries for 135 yards and two touchdowns to lead the WU offensive attack as the Bulldogs claimed a 38-28 victory in its season and home opener against the Johnson C. Smith University Golden Bulls at Irwin Belk Stadium and John R. Martin Field Saturday. Pittman was a Harlon Hill Award nominee as a sophomore.
 
Wingate is back in action at home next Saturday, Sept. 10, when they host the Shaw University Bears for a 1:30 p.m. kick-off. JCSU hits the road again next week as the Golden Bulls venture to Bowie State University. Kick-off is slated for 4 p.m.
 
"We had a great attitude coming into this game," Wingate head coach Joe Reich says. "We were very relaxed, ready to go and excited to go to battle against a good JCSU team. We knew they were going to give us a great game."
 
The 'Dogs jumped out to the early 7-0 advantage in the first quarter on a 36-yard rushing touchdown by redshirt freshman wide receiver BJ Muckelvene (Waxhaw, N.C.) at the 8:04 mark. It was the Cuthbertson High School Cavalier's first collegiate carry. "It was very cool to see (BJ score a touchdown)," WU redshirt senior quarterback Kyle Johnson (Hickory, N.C.) says. "BJ looked really good throughout camp…it was awesome to see him get this opportunity in his first game."
 
JCSU answered with a receiving touchdown by junior wide receiver Gabriel Yuille (Baltimore, Md.) to make it a 7-6 ballgame with 3:24 remaining in the first quarter. The Golden Bulls' extra point attempt was blocked by WU sophomore defensive lineman Colton Beard (Lincolnton, N.C.) to allow the hosts to maintain the one-point lead.
 
Wingate increased its lead out to 14-6 on a four-yard Johnson touchdown toss to sophomore wide receiver Malik Bledsoe (Culloden, Ga.) with 10:27 in the second quarter. Wingate tacked on a field goal at the 1:38 mark from senior place kicker Caleb Baird (Kinston, N.C.) to give the home-standing Bulldogs a 17-6 advantage heading into the halftime break.
 
The Bulldogs sprinted out to a commanding 24-6 lead on an 11-yard rushing touchdown from Pittman for his first score of the 2016 campaign with 13:34 left in the third quarter. The Golden Bulls would soon trim the deficit down to a 10-point margin due to an 86-yard kick-off return from JCSU freshman wide receiver Desmond Dozier (Longs, S.C.) to make it a 24-14 ballgame after a successful two-point conversion.
 
An 11-yard touchdown catch by senior wide receiver Joe Wallace (Hope Mills, N.C.) from a Johnson pass gave the Bulldogs a 31-14 advantage with 1:20 remaining in the third quarter of play. Johnson C. Smith again made it a 10-point game on a 26-yard score from senior wide receiver Roderick Carter (Miami, Fla.).
 
The Golden Bulls made big strides on the comeback trail as the CIAA members made it a 31-28 contest at the 9:27 mark in the fourth quarter on the second interception of the day from junior defensive back Carlo Thomas (East Orange, N.J.). The 2015 All-American returned the pick 48 yards for a touchdown. A 50-yard rushing touchdown from Pittman gave Wingate the 38-28 advantage to seal the victory.
 
Reich's team would not break, despite the late push by the Golden Bulls. "It was just simple mistakes for us," Reich says. "There were virtually not many specific adjustments to be made, but we just needed to not get too cute offensively. The key was to operate like we normally do and not make the mistakes we made towards the end of the game. I give a lot of credit to JCSU. They kept fighting until the very end."
 
Wingate junior running back Blake Hayes (Greenville, S.C.) also contributed significantly in the rushing attack with career-high totals of 15 carries for 72 yards. Senior wide receiver and pre-season first team All-SAC performer Jordan Berry (Irmo, S.C.) led the WU receiving corps with five receptions for 68 yards. Wallace finished with three catches for 41 yards along with his one touchdown reception.
 
Kyle Johnson took part in his final season opener in the Navy Blue and Vegas Gold as he finished 15-of-26 with 179 yards and two touchdown passes. "Kyle runs the show very well," Reich says. "He is a great leader and has the ability to run the ball effectively. He does a great job making the throws he needs to make. If we can limit the mistakes made late in the game, Kyle is a terrific, versatile weapon offensively."
 
Johnson is in his third season as the starting signal-caller for the Bulldogs. He enjoyed being back in action. "It was really nice being back out there today," Johnson says. "It was hard remembering that it was my final season opener through the entire game, but I really had fun getting the season underway."
 
The Hickory High School product overcame a couple of turnovers in the ballgame to push through for the first victory of the 2016 season. "I made some mistakes to put us in a bad position," Johnson says. "I just needed to move on and get it out of my head. It was really important to clear my mind in order to keep executing on offense…that's exactly what we did."
 
On the Wingate defensive side, redshirt senior linebacker Mackenzie Battle (Simpsonville, S.C.) led the Bulldogs with six total tackles and a sack in the contest. Redshirt senior defensive and pre-season first team All-SAC honoree Andre Foulks (York, S.C.) finished second on the WU defensive charts with four tackles and two sacks.
 
JCSU sophomore quarterback Jordan Lane (Charlotte, N.C.) went 12-for-28 with 227 yards passing and two touchdowns. Yuille led the Golden Bull receivers with four receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown catch. Carter had two catches for 50 yards along with his receiving touchdown.
 
"We knew Johnson C. Smith was going to give us a great game," Reich says. "They have a very talented quarterback in Lane. He has a great arm with impressive accuracy…he makes good decisions. They have some good parts they need to put together. I would like to make this game with JCSU a long-standing tradition."
 
The Wingate University football team will return to action at home next Saturday when they welcome the Shaw University Bears from Raleigh, N.C. The Bulldogs faced the Bears last season in week two on the road and won by a final score of 33-14.
 
"When we played them last season, we felt like they had a lot of talent," Reich says. "They have a brand-new coach along with a great defensive line and a lot of talent spread throughout their roster. For us, it will be about remaining consistent, playing disciplined and smart football and executing when we have the opportunity."
 
Kick-off for next week's contest is slated for 1:30 p.m. with the game being aired on ESPN3. The Wingate University athletic department will host its annual Patriots' Day celebration as the Bulldogs will honor veterans, active military and community heroes (police, fire and first responders).
 
(Wingate University athletic media relations/sports network student assistant Jackson Kaplan contributed this article. A sophomore from Raleigh, Kaplan is a Communication Studies major at Wingate. He is the son of Harrison and Dona Kaplan.)