CHARLOTTE, NC – Fayetteville State found itself in another fourth-quarter battle Saturday afternoon, rallying to take a one-point lead with just over seven minutes remaining before Johnson C. Smith answered with a late touchdown to hand the Broncos a 20-14 setback at the Irwin Belk Complex.

The loss moved Fayetteville State to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play, while Johnson C. Smith improved to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in conference action. The Golden Bulls finished with 379 yards of total offense, including 215 on the ground, while the Broncos generated 252 yards and committed no turnovers.

 

Dismukes led the Broncos offensively, completing 11 of 16 passes for 114 yards without an interception and rushing nine times for a team-high 58 yards and a touchdown. Southern led Fayetteville State with 38 receiving yards on two catches, while Unique Kelly caught a team-high four passes for 45 yards. Vinson added 43 rushing yards and 19 receiving yards. Marshall finished with 13 yards on four carries and scored Fayetteville State's first touchdown.

Defensively, Jatavien Taylor led the Broncos with nine tackles, including six solo stops. Kadynce Watson followed with eight tackles and a tackle for loss, while Terrell Ford and Ryan Debow recorded seven tackles apiece. Amari Best contributed three pass breakups as Fayetteville State held Johnson C. Smith without a passing touchdown.

Fayetteville State struck first with a methodical 15-play, 72-yard drive that carried from late in the first quarter into the second. Noah Marshall finished the possession with a 2-yard touchdown run, and John Hernandez-Vargas added the extra point to give the Broncos a 7-0 advantage with 14:38 remaining in the half.

Johnson C. Smith responded later in the quarter. Kamarro Edmonds broke loose for a 29-yard gain before finishing the six-play, 53-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7. Alexis Rosario-Beltran then connected on a 31-yard field goal as time expired to send the Golden Bulls into halftime with a 10-7 advantage.

The Broncos received an immediate opportunity to change the game at the start of the third quarter when Jason Melton II recovered a fumble on the second-half kickoff at the Johnson C. Smith 17-yard line. Fayetteville State was unable to turn the takeaway into points, however, as a holding penalty pushed the offense backward before a 42-yard field-goal attempt missed.

Fayetteville State's defense kept the Broncos within striking distance. Johnson C. Smith put together a 16-play, 76-yard drive that consumed more than nine minutes across the third and fourth quarters, but the Broncos kept the Golden Bulls out of the end zone and forced them to settle for Rosario-Beltran's 32-yard field goal. That pushed the margin to 13-7 with 11:55 remaining.

With the game hanging in the balance, Jamir Dismukes and the Broncos responded.

Starting from their own 25, Fayetteville State marched 75 yards in eight plays. Dismukes connected with Lorenzo Southern for 17 yards on third-and-nine and later found Braylon Vinson for a 23-yard gain to move the Broncos into Golden Bulls territory. On third-and-six from the 30, Dismukes broke free for a 30-yard touchdown run, and the extra point gave Fayetteville State a 14-13 lead with 7:04 remaining.

Johnson C. Smith answered with the decisive possession of the afternoon. The Golden Bulls went 75 yards in 12 plays and consumed 6:15 off the clock. Facing fourth-and-four at the Fayetteville State 36, quarterback Damien Mazil connected with Brian Lane for a 24-yard completion to extend the drive. Edmonds eventually scored from six yards out with 49 seconds remaining, putting Johnson C. Smith back in front, 20-14.

Fayetteville State moved to its own 46 on its final possession, highlighted by a 21-yard completion from Dismukes to Southern, but the comeback attempt ended when time expired following a sack.

The Golden Bulls leaned heavily on their running game, with Fabian Duncan carrying 31 times for a game-high 157 rushing yards while adding 49 receiving yards. Edmonds rushed for 55 yards and both Johnson C. Smith touchdowns. Mazil completed 9 of 18 passes for 164 yards, while Lane hauled in six catches for a game-high 108 receiving yards. Defensively, Vincent Hill paced Johnson C. Smith with 11 tackles, while Jamaris Stevens finished with seven.

Penalties proved costly for Fayetteville State in a game decided by six points. The Broncos were flagged 10 times for 101 yards, while Johnson C. Smith finished with eight penalties for 56 yards. The Golden Bulls also controlled possession for 33:22 and converted all four of their red-zone opportunities into points.

WINSTON-SALEM – Johnson C. Smith continued its recent control of the rivalry Saturday, defeating Winston-Salem State 31-6 at Bowman-Gray Stadium.

The Golden Bulls scored in each of the final three quarters and pulled away with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to earn their fourth straight win over the Rams.

The victory also marked another turn in a series that had been controlled by Winston-Salem State for more than a decade. WSSU had won each meeting from 2010 through 2022, with the exception of 2020, when the teams did not play. Johnson C. Smith has now won the last four meetings.

The Golden Bulls improved to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play. Winston-Salem State fell to 0-3 and 0-1.

Neither team found the end zone during a scoreless first quarter, but Johnson C. Smith controlled much of the action on the ground. The Golden Bulls finished with 257 rushing yards on 41 attempts, averaging 6.3 yards per carry.

Fabian Duncan led the way with 164 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Kamarro Edmonds added 72 yards on 10 attempts, giving Johnson C. Smith a consistent running game throughout the afternoon.

The Golden Bulls finally broke through early in the second quarter.

After driving 55 yards on 14 plays, Johnson C. Smith settled for a 15-yard field goal from Alexis Rosario-Beltran with 13:49 remaining in the half. The kick gave the Golden Bulls a 3-0 lead.

Winston-Salem State struggled to generate offense and was unable to answer.

The Rams had one of their better opportunities later in the second quarter when Johnson C. Smith's Fabian Duncan fumbled at the Winston-Salem State 18-yard line. Sofiyan Oumarou recovered for the Rams, but WSSU managed only three plays before punting.

Johnson C. Smith took advantage of another opportunity on its next possession.

Starting at the Winston-Salem State 47-yard line, the Golden Bulls moved into scoring position behind Duncan's running. A 31-yard touchdown pass from Damien Mazil to Brian Lane with 3:44 left in the second quarter extended the lead to 10-0.

Lane finished with two receptions for 101 yards and two touchdowns. His second catch produced the biggest play of the afternoon.

Winston-Salem State entered halftime trailing 10-0, and the Rams continued to have trouble moving the ball after the break.

WSSU managed only 191 total yards for the game, including 103 rushing yards and 88 passing yards. The Rams completed 12 of 24 passes and threw one interception.

Johnson C. Smith added to its lead in the third quarter.

After a Winston-Salem State drive ended with an interception by Jamaris Stevens, the Golden Bulls needed only two plays to reach the end zone. Duncan broke loose for a 14-yard touchdown run with 4:11 remaining in the quarter, putting Johnson C. Smith ahead 17-0.

Stevens made one of the key defensive plays of the game when he intercepted Winston-Salem State quarterback Deiondre Goldston and returned the ball 57 yards to the Rams' 33-yard line.

The Golden Bulls could not turn that possession into points, but their defense continued to limit Winston-Salem State's opportunities.

Johnson C. Smith entered the fourth quarter with a 17-0 advantage and quickly made it a four-score game.

With 11:59 remaining, Mazil connected with Lane for a 70-yard touchdown. The play took just one snap and pushed the Golden Bulls' lead to 24-0.

Mazil completed 12 of 27 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception. Johnson C. Smith finished with 468 yards of total offense, compared with 191 for Winston-Salem State.

The Rams finally broke through on their next possession.

Winston-Salem State put together its longest scoring drive of the game, moving 89 yards on 14 plays. Jayvion Danzy finished the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run with 4:30 remaining.

Danzy was the Rams' leading rusher, carrying 16 times for 63 yards and the touchdown. Winston-Salem State's offense, however, could not produce another score after cutting the deficit to 24-6.

Johnson C. Smith answered with another long scoring drive.

The Golden Bulls took over at the Winston-Salem State 50-yard line following the onside kickoff and moved 50 yards in six plays. Parker McQuarrie completed a 17-yard pass to Reggie Brigman to help set up the final score.

Christian Rutledge then finished the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run with 2:45 remaining. Rosario-Beltran added the extra point to make it 31-6.

Johnson C. Smith finished with 24 first downs and averaged 6.7 yards per play. The Golden Bulls also held a significant advantage in rushing production, gaining 257 yards compared with 103 for Winston-Salem State.

The Rams did hold a slight advantage in time of possession, 31:54 to 28:06, but Johnson C. Smith made more of its offensive opportunities. The Golden Bulls converted six of 12 third downs and scored three touchdowns and one field goal in five trips to the red zone.

For Winston-Salem State, the loss extends a difficult start to the season. The Rams are now 0-3 after opening the CIAA season against Johnson C. Smith, while the Golden Bulls move further into conference play with momentum and another win in one of the state's longstanding HBCU rivalries.

More importantly for Johnson C. Smith, Saturday's result extends a streak that has changed the recent direction of the series.

Winston-Salem State had owned the rivalry throughout the 2010s and into the early 2020s, winning every meeting from 2010 through 2022 except for the canceled 2020 matchup. Johnson C. Smith has now answered with four consecutive victories.

The latest one was never particularly close after halftime. The Golden Bulls used their running game, two touchdown connections between Mazil and Lane, and a defense that created turnovers to build a 31-0 lead before Winston-Salem State finally got on the scoreboard.

Johnson C. Smith now has another win to add to its recent run in the series, while Winston-Salem State will look to regroup at 0-3.

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.

DURHAM – For 56 years, Johnson C. Smith football had been chasing history. On Saturday afternoon at Durham County Memorial Stadium, the Golden Bulls finally caught it.

Kelvin Durham threw five touchdown passes and Johnson C. Smith built a commanding lead before holding off Virginia Union 45-21 to claim the CIAA championship, the program's first conference title since 1969 and first championship game appearance since 1972.

The Golden Bulls (10-1) never trailed after taking a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter, methodically pulling away from the two-time defending champion Panthers (9-2) behind Durham's career performance and a defense that made critical plays at crucial moments.

Durham completed 16 of 29 passes for 285 yards with one interception. He also rushed for a touchdown, finishing with 16 net rushing yards on seven carries.

Durham found Deandre Proctor twice in the end zone, including a 58-yard strike in the third quarter that pushed the lead to 28-14. Proctor finished with seven receptions for 146 yards and two scores. Reggie Brigman also caught two touchdown passes of 19 and 32 yards, while Reginald Daniel added a 33-yard scoring reception.

The victory came in a rematch of a September 20 meeting in Richmond that Virginia Union won 28-10. But this time, Johnson C. Smith flipped the script from the opening drive.

After Virginia Union fumbled away its opening possession, the Golden Bulls marched 26 yards in two plays, with Durham hitting Brigman on a 19-yard touchdown pass at 11:56 of the first quarter. The Panthers fumbled on their next possession, with the ball recovered by Daryl Taybron at the Virginia Union 26-yard line, setting up another quick score.

Durham connected with Daniel for a 33-yard touchdown at 1:07 of the first quarter to make it 14-7 after Lukasz Smolen's extra point.

Virginia Union, which came in averaging 238 rushing yards per game behind CIAA Offensive Player of the Year Curtis Allen, managed to keep pace early. The Panthers answered with a methodical six-play, 11-yard drive that consumed nearly three minutes. On fourth-and-one from the two-yard line, Jaehlan Joyner plunged in for a one-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 14-7 at 4:57 of the first quarter.

Allen, who led all of Division II with 2,098 rushing yards during the regular season, finished with 183 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. But the Golden Bulls defense, anchored by first-team All-CIAA selections Vincent Hill and Cadricus Stanley, contained him when it mattered most.

The Panthers pulled even at 14-14 early in the second quarter when Allen capped an 11-play, 65-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run at 11:44. Allen broke free on the left side for the score, and Brady Myers's extra point tied the game.

But Johnson C. Smith responded immediately with an eight-play, 71-yard drive that ended with Durham finding Proctor for a 25-yard touchdown with 7:15 remaining in the second quarter. Smolen's kick gave the Golden Bulls a 21-14 lead they would never relinquish.

The Golden Bulls took that seven-point advantage into halftime and seized control in the third quarter.

Durham engineered a nine-play, 80-yard scoring drive to open the second half. On second-and-13 from the Johnson C. Smith 42-yard line, Durham dropped back and connected with Proctor down the left sideline. Proctor outran the Virginia Union secondary for a 58-yard touchdown at 5:30 of the third quarter, extending the lead to 28-14 after Smolen's conversion.

Two plays later, Virginia Union quarterback RJ Rosales threw an interception to Tynan Tucker at the Panthers' 29-yard line. Tucker returned it 29 yards to the Virginia Union 23, setting up another Johnson C. Smith scoring opportunity.

The Golden Bulls converted that turnover into points, driving 23 yards in seven plays. Durham capped the drive with a three-yard rushing touchdown at 2:33 of the third quarter to make it 35-14. It marked Durham's only rushing touchdown of the game.

Virginia Union, trying to become the first CIAA program to win three consecutive championships since the conference split into divisions in 2002, mounted one final charge in the fourth quarter. The Panthers put together a 12-play, 75-yard drive that took more than four minutes off the clock. Allen finished it with a five-yard touchdown run at 4:58 of the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 38-21.

That score came after Smolen had kicked a 40-yard field goal at 9:14 of the fourth quarter to give Johnson C. Smith a 38-14 cushion. The field goal capped an 11-play, 49-yard drive that consumed nearly five minutes.

But the Golden Bulls defense, which held Virginia Union to 150 passing yards and forced two interceptions, shut down the Panthers' comeback hopes. Durham then delivered the final blow with 58 seconds remaining, hitting Brigman for a 32-yard touchdown pass that sealed the victory at 45-21. The score completed a six-play, 50-yard drive.

The championship capped a remarkable season for Johnson C. Smith under third-year head coach Maurice Flowers, who was named CIAA Coach of the Year after leading the Golden Bulls to their first championship appearance in 53 years. The victory gave the program 10 wins for the first time in school history and validated a rebuilding effort that began when Flowers, a Johnson C. Smith graduate, took over the program.

Freshman running back Bobby Smith, the CIAA Offensive Rookie of the Year, provided balance to the Johnson C. Smith attack with 78 net yards on 23 carries. Smith's emergence this season gave the Golden Bulls a formidable ground game to complement Durham's passing prowess, forcing defenses to account for multiple threats.

The Johnson C. Smith defense recorded seven tackles for loss and consistently pressured Rosales, who completed just 10 of 22 passes with two interceptions. Jalen Alexander led the defensive front with six total tackles and two tackles for loss totaling six yards. TyQueron Hines added six total tackles and broke up two passes in the secondary. Elijah Wilson also broke up two passes.

Vincent Hill led all tacklers with seven total stops, while Stanley added six tackles. Kristian Eanes contributed five tackles with one tackle for loss.

Virginia Union, which entered as the top seed after going 7-0 in conference play, struggled to establish rhythm against a Johnson C. Smith defense that had limited Allen to 114 yards in their September meeting. Rosales managed 45 net rushing yards on 12 carries, but the Panthers couldn't sustain drives consistently enough to mount a serious threat after falling behind by three touchdowns.

The Golden Bulls controlled possession for nearly 30 minutes, converting nine of 12 third-down attempts while limiting Virginia Union to four of 12 on third down. That time of possession advantage allowed Johnson C. Smith to dictate tempo and keep Allen off the field for extended stretches.

Latrae Bass and Tucker each recorded interceptions for the Golden Bulls, with Bass picking off Rosales at 9:45 of the first quarter at the Virginia Union 50-yard line. Tucker's interception in the third quarter proved more costly, setting up the touchdown that gave Johnson C. Smith a commanding 35-14 lead.

The championship marked redemption for the Golden Bulls, who had watched Virginia Union celebrate back-to-back titles while building toward this moment. Johnson C. Smith's only loss this season came against these same Panthers in September, a defeat that served as motivation throughout the remainder of the campaign.

Durham's performance showcased the chemistry he developed with his receiving corps throughout the year. Proctor, a first-team All-CIAA selection, proved to be a dynamic threat downfield, averaging 20.9 yards per reception. Brian Lane added three catches for 18 yards, while Cayden Bell-McKethan hauled in a 23-yard reception in the first quarter. Jabreel Murray caught one pass for four yards.

The offensive line, anchored by Lineman of the Year Jamari Mason, provided Durham with protection throughout the afternoon. The Golden Bulls allowed no sacks and opened lanes for Smith's rushing attack, demonstrating the balance that made them one of the conference's most complete teams.

Smolen handled all the kicking duties for Johnson C. Smith, converting seven of eight extra points and making his lone field goal attempt from 40 yards. He also punted twice for 84 yards, with both punts landing inside the 20-yard line. On kickoffs, Smolen sent eight kicks for 481 yards, averaging 60.1 yards per kickoff with three touchbacks.

Virginia Union's bid for a historic three-peat came up short despite Allen's remarkable season that saw him lead Division II in multiple statistical categories. The senior running back finished his career with one of the most productive seasons in conference history but couldn't deliver one final championship for the Panthers.

Zyaire Tart provided a spark in the return game for Virginia Union, returning three kickoffs for 52 yards and handling punt return duties. Ricky Key Jr. led the Panthers' receiving corps with four catches for 79 yards, while Tart added four receptions for 33 yards.

The loss snapped Virginia Union's seven-game winning streak and denied the program a chance to cement a dynasty. Instead, Johnson C. Smith will carry the CIAA banner as conference champions for the first time in more than a half century.

For a program that had gone decades without a championship appearance, Saturday's victory represented more than just a trophy. It validated the vision Flowers brought when he returned to his alma mater and confirmed that Johnson C. Smith football had returned to prominence in the CIAA.

The Golden Bulls now celebrate a championship that bridged generations and brought glory back to Charlotte. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Johnson C. Smith players rushed the field in celebration, culminating a journey that ended with a championship trophy in Durham. The 56-year wait was finally over.

Top Performers

• Kelvin Durham, QB, Johnson C. Smith: 16-of-29 passing, 285 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT; 7 carries, 16 net rushing yards, 1 rushing TD
• Deandre Proctor, WR, Johnson C. Smith: 7 receptions, 146 yards, 2 TDs (long of 58)
• Curtis Allen, RB, Virginia Union: 25 carries, 183 yards, 2 TDs (long of 45)
• Bobby Smith, RB, Johnson C. Smith: 23 carries, 78 net yards
• Reggie Brigman, WR, Johnson C. Smith: 3 receptions, 61 yards, 2 TDs
• Vincent Hill, LB, Johnson C. Smith: 7 total tackles (4 solo, 3 assists)
• Tynan Tucker, DB, Johnson C. Smith: 1 interception, 29-yard return

CHARLOTTE – Johnson C. Smith rallied late to defeat Livingstone 26-21 on Saturday at the Irwin Belk Complex, improving to 9-1 on the season while dropping the Blue Bears to 5-5. The victory clinched a spot in the CIAA championship game next Saturday against Virginia Union at Durham County Stadium.

The Golden Bulls led 20-14 at halftime but fell behind 21-20 early in the third quarter before regaining the lead for good on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Kelvin Durham to Deandre Proctor with 4:59 remaining in the fourth quarter. Durham found Proctor on a left sideline route that capped a six-play, 50-yard drive and gave Johnson C. Smith the lead back after trailing for most of the second half.

Bobby Smith carried the offensive load for the Golden Bulls, rushing 37 times for 164 net yards and a touchdown. His 36-yard run with 3:55 left in the game set up the winning score, moving the ball from the Johnson C. Smith 40 to the Livingstone 24. Smith averaged 4.4 yards per carry and consistently moved the chains on third- and fourth-down situations.

Durham completed 16 of 29 passes for 186 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked twice but also contributed 16 net yards on six rushing attempts when the pocket collapsed. Proctor emerged as his primary target, catching seven passes for 79 yards and the decisive fourth-quarter touchdown.

Johnson C. Smith opened the scoring when Bobby Smith rushed 8 yards for a touchdown with 9:20 left in the first quarter, finishing an eight-play, 80-yard drive. The Blue Bears answered just 13 seconds later when Elijah Alexander connected with Davyn Reid on an 80-yard touchdown strike down the right side, tying the game at 7-7.

The Golden Bulls built their halftime lead with three consecutive scoring drives in the second quarter. Lukasz Smolen kicked a 40-yard field goal with 10:02 remaining in the half to put Johnson C. Smith ahead 10-7. The 16-play, 71-yard drive consumed nearly 10 minutes and featured Bobby Smith's power running and short Durham completions to Proctor and Brian Lane.

Rontay Dunbar returned an interception for a touchdown at 8:31 of the second quarter, extending Johnson C. Smith's lead to 17-7. The pick-six came during a Livingstone drive that had reached the Johnson C. Smith 42-yard line.

Livingstone cut the deficit to 17-14 when Alexander hit Reid for a 65-yard touchdown with 1:49 left in the second quarter. The score came on the second play of a four-play, 98-yard drive that took just 54 seconds and marked the second time the duo connected on a long scoring play.

Johnson C. Smith answered with a 10-play, 44-yard march that ended with Smolen's 48-yard field goal as time expired in the half, giving the Golden Bulls a 20-14 halftime advantage.

The momentum shifted dramatically seven seconds into the third quarter. E'shawn Carter intercepted Durham at the Livingstone 15 and returned it for a touchdown, giving the Blue Bears their first lead since the opening quarter at 21-20 after Jason Zapata's extra point.

Johnson C. Smith's offense struggled for much of the third quarter but the defense kept Livingstone from extending its lead. Vincent Hill led the Golden Bulls with seven solo tackles and three tackles for loss. The defense forced Livingstone into difficult situations throughout, holding the Blue Bears to 0-for-9 on third-down conversions for the game.

Livingstone managed just 38 net yards rushing on 19 attempts, averaging 2.0 yards per carry. Javen Parker led the Blue Bears with 24 net yards on 12 carries, but the offense could not sustain drives on the ground. The Blue Bears completed just 7 of 21 passes, with Alexander going 4-for-7 for 161 yards and two touchdowns before being replaced by Trisitan McClary, who went 3-for-14 for 38 yards and two interceptions.

Reid provided the offensive spark for Livingstone, catching three passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns while also returning two kickoffs for 39 yards. His ability to stretch the field vertically kept the Blue Bears competitive despite their offensive struggles.

Johnson C. Smith converted 7 of 17 third-down attempts and possessed the ball for 41 minutes and 14 seconds compared to Livingstone's 18:46. The Golden Bulls controlled the game through Smith's ground attack and their ability to sustain long drives.

The Blue Bears' special teams struggled in key moments. Javon Pray punted eight times for a 41.3-yard average. Johnson C. Smith averaged 24.7 yards per punt on seven attempts by Smolen.

Johnson C. Smith's go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter started at the 50-yard line following a punt. Durham completed a 21-yard pass to Maliek Carter on third-and-8 to move the ball to the Livingstone 27. Bobby Smith then rushed three times for 3 yards total before Durham found Proctor for the winning touchdown.

Livingstone's final chance came with 1:11 remaining when McClary took over at the Blue Bears' 19-yard line. However, TyQueron Hines intercepted McClary's first pass attempt, giving Johnson C. Smith possession and allowing the Golden Bulls to run out the clock.

Johnson C. Smith's defense recorded three interceptions and held Livingstone to nine first downs. Elijah Wilson intercepted a pass in the second quarter that he returned for minus-15 yards before Dunbar's pick-six gave the Golden Bulls a double-digit lead.

The victory sends Johnson C. Smith to the CIAA championship game against Virginia Union, the team responsible for the Golden Bulls' only loss this season. The Panthers defeated Johnson C. Smith 28-10 earlier this year at Virginia Union, and the Golden Bulls will have a chance to avenge that defeat in next Saturday's title game.

Key Performers

Johnson C. Smith:

• Bobby Smith: 37 rushes, 164 yards, 1 TD
• Deandre Proctor: 7 receptions, 79 yards, 1 TD
• Kelvin Durham: 16-of-29 passing, 186 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• Vincent Hill: 7 solo tackles, 3 TFL
• Lukasz Smolen: 2-for-2 field goals (40, 48 yards)

Livingstone:

• Davyn Reid: 3 receptions, 156 yards, 2 TD
• E'shawn Carter: 1 interception return for TD
• Elijah Alexander: 4-of-7 passing, 161 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
• Velson Seide: 8 solo tackles, 9 total tackles