CHARLOTTE – Frostburg State used a powerful ground attack and a persistent defensive effort to defeat Johnson C. Smith, 21-7, in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Division II Football Championship. Playing in JCSU’s first-ever home playoff game, the Bobcats controlled the line of scrimmage, accumulating 496 total yards compared to the Golden Bulls’ 282 total yards.
Frostburg State, the Mountain East co-champions, established a clear advantage in first downs, totaling 20 to Johnson C. Smith’s 15. This was largely fueled by their success on the ground, where the Bobcats secured 10 first downs rushing against only 3 for JCSU. The Bobcats also proved far more efficient on third down, converting on 5 of 13 attempts, while the Golden Bulls managed only 1 of 10.
Ground Game and Early Leads
The Bobcats' victory was anchored by running back KJ Smothers, who accounted for all three Frostburg State touchdowns. Smothers carried the ball 16 times for 115 yards, highlighted by a 41-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter that put the Bobcats on the board, following a Marquise Allsup interception.
First Quarter: Frostburg State took a 7-0 lead on Smothers’ long run at the 00:40 mark, which was quickly followed by a successful extra point from B. Keen. This drive was set up by a 48-yard punt return by Austin Paul-Umstead to the JCSU 32-yard line.
Second Quarter: Smothers scored again early in the second quarter on a 2-yard plunge, extending the lead to 14-0. The drive included a 40-yard completion from quarterback Jordan Brooks to Ray Adames.
Brooks finished the game 9-for-23 for 179 yards with one interception. Wide receiver Cruiz Paul-Umstead was the leading receiver with 4 receptions for 92 yards. The Bobcats’ overall rushing attack finished with 188 yards on 41 attempts. Owen Doyle contributed 95 yards on 19 carries.
JCSU’s Passing and Frostburg State Defense
Johnson C. Smith relied heavily on their passing game and the receiving efforts of Deandre Proctor. Quarterback Kelvin Durham completed 18 of 28 passes for 219 yards, but he was intercepted twice, once by Wylan Harich in the first quarter and once by Marquise Allsup. JCSU rushed for only 36 total yards on 27 attempts, with Bobby Smith leading the team with 42 yards.
Proctor was a key target for the Golden Bulls, catching 14 passes for 139 yards. His long catch of 33 yards set up JCSU’s only scoring drive. The Golden Bulls’ longest offensive play was a 41-yard pass from Durham to Isaiah Perry in the fourth quarter.
The Johnson C. Smith defense managed to force a turnover on downs at the end of the second quarter, stopping a Bobcats drive at the JCSU 39-yard line. They also successfully pressured Jordan Brooks, recording two sacks and seven tackles for loss.
The Second Half
Johnson C. Smith found the end zone midway through the third quarter after a long drive. Starting from their own 20-yard line, the Golden Bulls moved the ball downfield, with Durham connecting with Proctor for a 33-yard gain. The drive culminated in the team’s only touchdown, a 7-yard touchdown reception by Deandre Proctor from Kelvin Durham with 4:04 left in the third quarter, cutting the lead to 14-7.
The Frostburg State defense responded in the fourth quarter, forcing a critical turnover by recovering a fumble on a Bobby Smith rush at the Bobcats’ 29-yard line, which was forced by Christian Taylor and recovered by Rainer Haveland. This came immediately after Durham’s 41-yard pass to Isaiah Perry had moved the Golden Bulls into scoring territory.
The Bobcats capitalized on the turnover, driving 71 yards to secure the win. KJ Smothers delivered his third and final touchdown of the day with a 5-yard run with 0:56 left in the game, bringing the final score to 21-7.
Linebacker Christian Taylor was a force for the Bobcats, recording 8 total tackles (7 solo) and a game-high 4 sacks for a loss. Josh McTier led the Frostburg State defense with 10 total tackles (9 solo). For Johnson C. Smith, Vincent Hill led the team with 9 total tackles (8 solo).
Looking Forward
Despite the outcome of their first-round playoff game, Johnson C. Smith concludes its 2025 campaign with a 10-2 record, marking the best season ever for the Golden Bulls football program. The team secured a CIAA Championship and hosted its first home playoff contest, achievements that underscore a profound success in Charlotte. While the pursuit of a national title ends here, the foundation laid by this historic season, culminating with double-digit wins and a conference championship, serves as a clear signal of the program’s arrival on the national stage.
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