September Superlatives: Johnson C. Smith QB Darius Ocean has been sharp

Quarterback play has been a mixed bag in our state through the first five weeks of the season.

UNC’s Jacolby Criswell had the best single-game statistical performance, throwing for 475 yards and three touchdowns against James Madison. But he also had a pick-six in that game and another interception as the Tar Heels got blown out 70-50.

East Carolina’s Jake Garcia has the most passing yards of any signal caller from the Old North State (1,315) but has more interceptions (11) than touchdowns (7). The Pirates are 3-2.

Preseason Sun Belt offensive player of the year Joey Aguilar from Appalachian State leads North Carolina in yards-per-game average (307.5), but again, the Mountaineers have been inconsistent on offense and suffered lopsided losses to both South Alabama and Clemson.

Enter Darius Ocean from Johnson C. Smith. The spring transfer from Valdosta State, who played at Hough High School, has lifted the Bulls’ passing game to new heights. Through five games, he’s completed 80 of 135 passes for 1,226 yards and 10 touchdowns. Best of all: zero interceptions. And Johnson C. Smith is 5-0 and in the thick of a conference title chase as the calendar turns into October.

As we recap the first segment of season with “September Superlatives”, Ocean is our pick for the top quarterback thus far. He has lived up to the billing since winning the job in the preseason, beating out four other competitors.

“He’s very cerebral young man, but I think one of the biggest things he brings is pinpoint accuracy,” Johnson C. Smith coach Maurice Flowers told the Charlotte Post back in August. “He can put the ball away from defenders where only our guys can catch it, and I think that’s what the separator was with him.”

• READ MORE: This Week’s Fabulous 15 – Johnson C. Smith Sits In 2nd
• READ MORE: September Superlatives – Top Performances, High Scores, Notable Numbers

Ocean, a junior who also played at Western Kentucky, has thrown at least one touchdown pass in each game thus far. He threw three against Bluefield State this past weekend and three more in a road contest at Morehouse in week two. He was 20-of-29 for a season-high 296 passing yards against Lincoln, with one score.

Ocean doesn’t run much, but he does have rushing plays of 21 and 14 yards on the season. He even caught a 17-yard pass in the season opener against Tuskegee.

Ocean and the Golden Bulls will be home this Saturday in a key CIAA game against Virginia State, the preseason league favorites. JCSU will have a bye week Oct. 12 and then will close the regular season against its four big in-state rivals: Shaw, Winston-Salem State, Fayetteville State and Livingstone.

Speaking of Shaw, Bears quarterback Christian Peters leads the state thus far in passing touchdowns. He has 14 through five games against only three interceptions.

Duke’s Maalik Murphy has thrown for 12 touchdowns for the undefeated Blue Devils. Catawba’s Preston Brown has 10 TDs and 1,019 passing yards after four contests.

In terms of passing yards, Campbell’s Chad Mascoe is the top FCS quarterback through five weeks with 1,113 (222.6 yards per game).

Methodist’s Brennan Brucato and North Carolina Wesleyan’s Chaz Hirschman have been leading the D3 ranks in our state. Brucato has thrown for 781 yards and five TDs through four games, while Hirschman has 769 yards and 7 TDs, also through four games.

All-North Carolina Passing Leaders | Through Week 5

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Eric Lusk Publisher & Editor

Eric Lusk started NC Football News in 2023. He's an old newspaper guy with a fondness for underdogs, redemption stories and the triple-option offense. He's a proud graduate of Jesse O. Sanderson High School and UNC's School of Journalism. He's thankful for God's mercy, family and second chances.

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