National TV debut highlights JC Smith football schedule

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Johnson C. Smith defensive tackle Montele Burton (94) signals a change of possession for the Golden Bulls in a CIAA game against St. Augustine's on Oct. 14, 2023. The Golden Bulls open their 2024 campaign Sept. 1 against Tuskegee at the Red Tails Classic in Montomery, Ala.

Johnson C. Smith’s football schedule includes the program’s national television debut.

The Golden Bulls, who went 7-4 last year with a berth in the Florida Beach Bowl, open the season Sept. 1 against Tuskegee (Ala.) at the Red Tails Classic in Montgomery on ESPN. Tuskegee, a member of the SIAC and winningest Black college program of all time, beat the Golden Bulls 35-17 in their most recent meeting in 2012.

“The Red Tails Classic has so much tradition playing against Tuskegee University, one of the most storied championships football programs there is,” Smith coach Maurice Flowers said. “It’s an honor to be able to play in the Red Tails Classic. We are excited, this is great for our football program to be playing in a national televised game.”

Smith will take on another SIAC team six days later when they take on Morehouse in Atlanta. The Maroon Tigers have a new coach in Terrance Mathis, a former Atlanta Falcons receiver who was previously offensive coordinator at Savannah State among other stops.

The CIAA schedule gets underway on Sept. 21 at McGirt Field for the home opener against Virginia Union, which won the 2023 conference title and a berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs. Smith will alternate home and away games the rest of the way, starting Sept. 28 at Bluefield State. The Golden Bulls open October against Virginia State in Charlotte, followed by games against Raleigh rivals St. Augustine’s on Oct. 12 and Shaw a week later for homecoming. They’ll go to Winston-Salem State Oct. 26 in a rematch of Smith’s 35-31 win last year that broke a 21-game skid against the Rams.

Fayetteville State, which has won the last six CIAA Southern Division titles, comes to Charlotte on Nov. 2, followed by the regular season finale at Livingstone in the annual Commemorative Classic.

Johnson C. Smith 2024 football schedule:

September

1 vs. Tuskegee (Red Tails Classic at Birmingham, Ala.)

7 at Morehouse

21 vs. Virginia Union

28 at Bluefield State

October

5 vs. Virginia State

12 at St. Augustine’s

19 vs. Shaw (homecoming)

26 at Winston-Salem State

November

2 vs. Fayetteville State

9 at Livingstone (Commemorative Classic)

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