JCSU Clinches CIAA Title Spot

Johnson C. Smith University fans in Mecklenburg County have a new target. The Golden Bulls earned a spot in the CIAA championship game after defeating Livingstone College 27-14 on Saturday in Salisbury, N.C. The victory ends a two-year wait for a conference title shot.

North Mecklenburg County alum Fabian Duncan opened the scoring with the first two touchdowns for JCSU. The lead grew in the fourth quarter when Damien Mazil and Reggie Daniel connected on a 45-yard pass. The score extended the Golden Bulls' margin to a comfortable 27-14.

Head coach Maurice Flowers credited the team's resilience for the result. "I’m just so happy for our coaching staff and our players," Flowers said. "It makes me reflective at how much growth this program has had."

This season follows a painful 2024 campaign. JCSU lost to Livingstone 15-10 in the same venue and setting last year. That defeat cost the Golden Bulls a CIAA championship and a likely Division II playoff bid. Flowers called the win "major for the program" because it occurred on the field where the 2024 heartbreak happened.

JCSU will face Virginia Union University for the conference crown. The Panthers won the CIAA title last season with a 45-21 victory over the Golden Bulls. That win marked JCSU's first conference championship since 1969. The rematch is scheduled for Nov. 7 at Durham County Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m.

The series between the two schools is known as the Commemorative Classic. The Golden Bulls claimed the latest edition of that rivalry matchup to advance to the final game of the conference season.