Grit, determination and Golden Bulls still in CIAA race

HERBERT L. WHITE | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Johnson C. Smith's Golden Bulls celebrate after their come-from-behind 17-14 win against Fayetteville State Nov. 1, 2025, at Luther Jeralds Stadium in Fayetteville. JCSU can clinch a berth in the CIAA title game next week with with a win against Livingstone in the Commemorative Classic.

FAYETTEVILLE – The odds were stacked high, the clock running low, but Johnson C. Smith got it done.

The Golden Bulls (8-1, 5-1 CIAA) went to Fayetteville with a CIAA title berth within reach and down 14-10 with 3 minutes, 22 seconds to play. The determination of this year’s squad is at a different level, and it showed on the field with JCSU scoring the go-ahead touchdown with 13 seconds left.

There was a lot to be said of the Golden Bulls’ 17-14 win.

The legend of Bobby T. grows

The go-ahead touchdown scorer himself, redshirt freshman running back Bobby T. Smith has quickly become one of JCSU’s best offensive players. He probably needed an ice bath after 31 carries for 113 yards – both career highs – and a touchdown. 

“Bobby T has turned into our bell cow,” Golden Bulls’ coach Maurice Flowers said. “When we recruited Bobby T. … what we did find out is that he was a top powerlifter. So, that means he is strong all over. I can’t say enough about him. We have four tailbacks that are out for the season and Bobby T. is still standing. I’m just so proud of him.”

Smith, who has gone over 100 yards rushing in back-to-back games, credited the link between himself and Flowers with his development and more opportunities to contribute.

“It feels good to have this connection,” Smith said. “I know [Flowers] trusts me a lot because he let me come back. It just feels good.”

Durham is a DAWG

JCSU quarterback Kelvin Durham had one of the most composed game-winning drives ever against the Broncos. 

He didn’t get hurried, didn’t rush or force passes that weren’t there. He simply marched Smith down the field, and had the most crucial play of the drive, scampering for 12 yards on fourth and 9 to keep the Golden Bulls’ chances alive. 

“KD is a dude,” Flowers said. “I said this in training camp, that we weren’t seeing the best out of him in practice. The best thing about Kelvin Durham is that he is a competitor. He competes like I’ve never seen before, so when we were down, he came up to me and said, ‘Coach, let’s go.’ When he has the confidence that he does, I felt good.”

Durham was 20-for-27 passing for 182 yards and an interception. He contributed on the ground by rushing for 51 yards on nine carries and a touchdown. Flowers loves a good quarterback, and he certainly has one in Durham. 

Time to flip the page

The Golden Bulls will enjoy the win, no doubt about that. It had been eight years since the Golden Bulls did so. But “the school in Salisbury,” as Flowers likes to call Livingstone, would like nothing more than to end the JCSU’s hopes of playing for the CIAA title. 

“We are going to look forward to it,” Flowers said with a smirk. “I don’t really want to delve too far into it, because I am going to celebrate [the Fayetteville State win]. But it is the Commermorative Classic, the first two teams to play an HBCU football game. And, then you add everything that is going into this one; it’s going to be a big game. I am glad it’s at home, but we are going to prepare and we’re going to look forward to it.”

Comments