JC Smith closes the deal, earns CIAA title game berth

MATT LACZKO | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Johnson C. Smith football coach Maurice Flowers raises the Commemorative Classic trophy after the Golden Bulls' 26-21 win against Livingstone at McGirt Field on Nov. 8, 2025. JCSU (9-1, 6-1 CIAA) advances to the conference title game with the win, which set a school single-season record for victories.

The last time Johnson C. Smith played for the CIAA football title, gasoline cost 36 cents a gallon, Richard Nixon was president and Roberta Flack’s “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” was America’s No. 1 song. 

Times have changed since 1972 and so have the Golden Bulls, who earned a spot in next week’s championship round with a 26-21 win Saturday against CIAA rival Livingstone. JCSU, the No. 18 team in Division II, will take on No. 10 Virginia Union, which beat JCSU 28-10 on Sept. 20. In addition to playing for the conference title, the Golden Bulls (9-1, 6-1 CIAA) set a school record for wins in a season.

“It’s definitely sinking in now,” said running back Bobby Smith, who established career highs for carries (37) and rushing yards (164) in a game against Livingstone (5-5, 3-4) in addition to scoring a touchdown. “It (sank) in last earlier this week when we knew what we had to do coming into this game. We knew that was the goal, and it definitely (sank) in.”

Said Golden Bulls coach Maurice Flowers: “It’s history, and just so glad to be a JCSU alumnus on a day such as today. We did so many things that have not been done in so long, and some things that have never been done. And as an alumnus, I’m so proud. As a Charlottean, I’m proud.”

Livingstone made JCSU work for everything, pulling ahead 21-20 on E’shawn Carter’s 20-yard interception return for a score 12 seconds into the third quarter. But the Golden Bulls, who choked away a chance at last year’s title game with a loss at Livingstone, responded. The defense stymied Livingstone and Kelvin Durham’s 24-yard strike to Deandre Proctor with 4:59 left provided the margin of victory.

“My mindset, pretty much, was ignore all the outside noise, ignore the records, ignore the rivalry,” said linebacker Vincent Hill, who paced the Golden Bulls with seven tackles, three for loss. “It’s just another week. It’s the biggest game because it’s the next game, so I know it was coming in. We had a rough game, but we fought back. That’s always a positive – see your team fight.”

JCSU took the fight to Livingstone midway through the second quarter when Rontay Dunbar scored on a 42-yard interception return for a 17-7 advantage, but the Blue Bears rallied behind Elijah Alexander’s 65-yard pass to Davyn Reid (3 catches, 156 yards, 2 TDs) to climb back into contention. The Golden Bulls, who have won six straight, showed their mettle down the stretch despite adversity – something last year’s team didn’t do.

MATT LACZKO | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Johnson C. Smith cornerback Rontay Dunbar returns an interception 42 yards for a touchdown in the Golden Bulls' 26-21 win against CIAA rival in the regular season finale for both teams.

“Before you could even talk about this season, you have to really go back to last season at this moment where we didn’t finish strong at 8-0 and then lost the last two, lost opportunities to go to the championship game,” Flowers said. “Those are learning lessons.”

After six weeks of must-win drama, the Golden Bulls have an opportunity to square the season series against Virginia Union, which has won seven straight games. The Panthers were picked to finish first in the preseason CIAA coaches’ poll while JCSU was second. 

“Of course, we (get) to see them again,” Smith said. “When we see them again, we’ve got to have a good game, you know? It’s got to be a different game for us.”

Said Hill: “It just took a lot of focus getting ourselves back together, not repeating old bad habits, not having any bad habits, and noticed those flaws early. We … didn’t take a loss. We learned a lesson, so we took that lesson, and we’ve just gotten better from it, we just grew together.”

The winningest team in JCSU history has at least one more chance to break the 10-win barrier. There’s more to accomplish, more firsts to earn and an opportunity to realize them. 

“It feels great to be a part of it,” Smith said. “Being a redshirt freshman, having a big role in it also feels great. I’m just very grateful, man. That’s it. I’m very grateful.”

Comments