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

HICKORY – The Lenoir-Rhyne Bears' remarkable season came to a crushing halt on Saturday, as Virginia Union's relentless offense dismantled their NCAA Division II playoff aspirations with a resounding 44-12 victory at Moretz Stadium.

What began as a promising contest quickly devolved into a one-sided affair, with the Panthers demonstrating why they are a formidable playoff contender. Virginia Union's ground game overwhelmed the Bears' defense, accumulating a staggering 345 rushing yards compared to Lenoir-Rhyne's modest 54.

"My heart hurts for our guys, especially our seniors," Head Coach Doug Socha said in the aftermath. "But I'm an optimistic guy. The sun will come up tomorrow, and we'll reset and evaluate every facet of this program."

A Glimmer of Hope, Quickly Extinguished

The game's opening moments suggested a potentially competitive matchup. After Virginia Union's Curtis Allen scored a rushing touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead, the Bears responded with quarterback Jalen Ferguson connecting with Adonis McDaniel for a spectacular 47-yard scoring play.

However, a blocked extra point foreshadowed the Bears' struggles. Virginia Union quickly capitalized, scoring two consecutive touchdowns to build a commanding 20-6 halftime lead.

Offensive Challenges

Ferguson, who had been a beacon of hope all season, fought valiantly but struggled against the Panthers' defense. He completed 19 of 41 passes for 252 yards, with two touchdowns offset by two critical interceptions.

McDaniel provided a silver lining, finishing with eight receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown. His performance helped him cross the 1,000-yard mark for the season, becoming just the sixth Bear in program history to achieve this milestone.

Defensive Bright Spots

Despite the lopsided score, several Lenoir-Rhyne defenders showed resilience. Jaelin Willis and Tre'von Cooper each recorded 13 tackles, while six different Bears logged tackles for loss, demonstrating the team's defensive depth and potential.

A Season of Achievement

While the playoff loss stings, the Bears' 10-3 record represents a significant achievement. Socha joined an elite group of Lenoir-Rhyne coaches by winning at least 10 games in his inaugural season, a testament to the program's promising trajectory.

Notably, quarterback Jalen Ferguson concluded the year with a school-record 3,276 passing yards, and veteran John Godwin completed his career having played in a record 49 games.

Looking Forward

"Winning 10 games isn't easy," Socha reflected. "There were so many people around this program that helped us do it. I'm proud of our guys and am excited for what we can accomplish next year."

WINGATE – Virginia Union stunned 17th-ranked Wingate 34-31 in overtime Saturday, ending the Bulldogs' season in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs at Irwin Belk Stadium.

Panthers backup quarterback RJ Rosales scored on a 1-yard touchdown run in overtime after Wingate's Caleb Bonesteel had given the Bulldogs a brief 31-28 lead with a 39-yard field goal on the opening possession of the extra period.

The loss spoiled an outstanding defensive season for Wingate (9-2), which entered the contest allowing just 10 points per game and ranking second nationally in total defense. Virginia Union (9-3) managed 404 total yards against the typically stingy Bulldog defense.

The game featured multiple momentum swings, with neither team leading by more than seven points. Wingate appeared poised for victory when defensive backs Bryan Bordeaux and Joseph Reddish combined to sack Rosales in the end zone for a safety, giving the Bulldogs a 28-21 lead with 6:33 remaining in regulation.

However, Rosales, who entered in relief of starter Mark Wright, engineered a 13-play, 48-yard drive that culminated in his 9-yard touchdown pass to Jeremi Frances with just 20 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.

Wright threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns before departing, while Rosales added 49 passing yards and the crucial scoring strike to Frances. Running back Jada Byers, who entered averaging nearly 150 yards per game, was held to 92 yards on 23 carries by Wingate's defense.

Wingate freshman quarterback Brooks Bentley completed 18 of 28 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns, including a 26-yard score to Austin Cain that gave the Bulldogs a 26-21 lead in the third quarter. Evan McCray led all receivers with 113 yards on four catches, including an 18-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter.

The loss marked a bitter end for Wingate, which had won seven straight games and captured the South Atlantic Conference championship. The Bulldogs were making their sixth NCAA playoff appearance and fourth time hosting a first-round game.

Virginia Union advances to face the winner of West Alabama and Lenoir-Rhyne in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs next Saturday.

CHARLOTTE – In a tight matchup on a warm Saturday afternoon, the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls secured a 21-16 victory over Virginia Union at Irwin Belk Stadium in Uptown Charlotte. With the win, JCSU improves to 4-0 on the season.

JCSU’s offense, led by quarterback Darius Ocean, outgained VUU 400 yards to 180. Ocean completed 17 of 28 passes for 282 yards and one touchdown. His primary target was receiver Brevin Caldwell, who caught 9 passes for 140 yards.

The ground game proved crucial for JCSU, with running back Quavari Crouch scoring two rushing touchdowns. Crouch and teammate Kamarro Edmonds each rushed for 53 yards on the day.

Virginia Union’s offense struggled to find its rhythm, managing only 40 rushing yards on 24 attempts. Quarterback Mark Wright completed 13 of 19 passes for 140 yards, with Ricky Key Jr. being his top receiver, catching 4 passes for 73 yards.

JCSU took an early lead in the first quarter with a 4-yard touchdown run by Crouch. VUU responded with a 42-yard field goal by Brady Myers. The second quarter saw JCSU extend their lead with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Ocean to Crouch, while VUU’s Jada Byers scored on a 1-yard run.

The third quarter belonged to JCSU, with Crouch scoring his second rushing touchdown. VUU attempted a comeback in the fourth quarter, with Byers scoring another touchdown, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit.

Despite the loss, VUU’s defense showed resilience, forcing two JCSU fumbles and blocking a field goal attempt. Jerome Jones led the VUU defense with 10 tackles, including one for a loss.

Up Next

JCSU looks to extend their season-opening win streak on the road at Bluefield State in another CIAA matchup

SALEM, VA – In a thrilling showdown for the CIAA Championship, Virginia Union took down Fayetteville State, 21-10, at Salem Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

The first quarter set the tone for the game, with Virginia Union taking an early lead. Jada Byers led the charge with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, putting Virginia Union ahead 7-0. The extra point by Brady Myers was successful. Virginia Union continued to dominate in the second quarter, with Christian Reid adding another touchdown, extending the lead to 14-0 after Myers' successful extra point. However, Fayetteville State quickly responded with a spectacular 91-yard kickoff return by Barry Elliott, bringing the score to 14-7 after Jacob Meneses's extra point.

Fayetteville State clawed its way back into the game in the third quarter. Jacob Meneses kicked a field goal, closing the gap to 14-10. However, Virginia Union's Jada Byers showcased his skills again with a 16-yard rushing touchdown, and Myers' extra point extended their lead to 21-10, the final margin for the day.

Key Statistics:

For the Panthers, Jada Byers rushed for an impressive 135 yards and scored two touchdowns. Christian Reid threw for 64 yards and rushed for a touchdown. Reginald Vick led in receiving with 42 yards. The Virginia Union defense, led by Armonii Burden and Jabrill Norman, made crucial plays, including sacks and tackles for loss. Barry Elliott's 91-yard kickoff return gave Fayetteville State a jolt before the half. Julian Milligan contributed 28 rushing yards with Kameron King leading the Broncos in receiving with 74 yards. The Fayetteville State defense, spearheaded by Shi Gaskin and Kobe Oldfield, held Virginia Union to 6-15 on third down.

Final Thoughts:

With this victory, 2023 CIAA Coach of the Year Dr. Alvin Parker earned his first championship title, the school’s first since 2001. The Panthers and Fayetteville State await Sunday’s Division II selection show to see their playoff fate.

RICHMOND, VA – The 22nd-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs took advantage of a strong defensive effort, which included 14 points scored by the defense alone, to roll to a 32-7 win at #14 Virginia Union in the first round of the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs. The Bulldogs improve to 10-2 overall and advance to next week's second round, while the Panthers end their season at 9-2.

Virginia Union converted one third down on their opening possession before stalling and punting away. Wingate took over at its own 28 and put together an 11-play scoring drive. Crocker hit Desor for 29 yards to get it to the Virginia Union 10. Crocker hit Dillon for an eight-yard touchdown to give the Bulldogs the lead. The teams traded punts in their ensuing drives with Wingate leading 7-0.

Wingate DT Sirod Cook chases the VUU QB. Photo Credit: Dominique Maneice

Wingate pushed the ball into Panther territory to open the second quarter after forcing a Virginia Union punt but stalled themselves. Evans' punt was downed at Virginia Union's 11-yard line. On the first play of their drive, Thomas picked off Virginia Union's Jahkari Grant and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown to make it 13-0. Virginia Union converted a third and 17 from its own three-yard line in the next drive but was once again forced to punt it away. The Bulldogs could not get anything going, as they were forced to punt it away again. Wingate scored its second defensive touchdown of the quarter, as Edwards picked it off and took it to the house for a 38-yard pick-six, as Wingate took a commanding 20-0 lead at the 4:23 mark. A penalty allowed Virginia Union to get into Wingate territory for the first time, but the Bulldogs picked up a stop on fourth down to keep the shutout alive. The Bulldogs were content to run out the clock and take a 20-0 lead into the halftime locker room.

Clark picked up 25 yards on the first play from scrimmage in the second half, but the drive stalled from there. Evans' punt was downed at the one-yard line, setting up a long field for the Panthers. Gilmore stuffed Virginia Union's running back in the end zone, forcing the safety and putting the Bulldogs up 22-0. The free kick was returned into Virginia Union territory, but Wingate was forced to punt, which was downed inside the 20 yet again. Wingate's defense forced its third turnover of the game on the ensuing drive when Fleming forced a Byers fumble, which Thomas recovered. Crocker connected with Desor for a 49-yard touchdown on third and 11, as Wingate took a commanding 29-0 lead with just over seven minutes left in the quarter. Grant completed a 48-yard touchdown to John Jiles on Virginia Union's first play on their next drive, cutting the deficit to 29-7. Wingate converted a pair of first downs, but the drive stalled. Evans pinned the Panthers to their own 10-yard line after another positive punt. The Panthers couldn't get anything going yet again, and their punt did not make it past midfield.

In the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs drove it down to the Virginia Union two-yard line, but couldn't punch it into the end zone, instead settling for a 19-yard Evans field goal to go up 32-7. Virginia Union went on a nine-play drive, but could not convert a pass play on fourth and seven fell incomplete. The Panther defense held strong, but Evans once again pinned Virginia Union deep in its own end with 2:20 left to go. Virginia Union could not make it down the field in their final possession.

Up Next

The Bulldogs will travel to Columbia, SC next Saturday for a matchup with #7 Benedict College in second-round NCAA playoff action. Wingate will look to punch its ticket to the national quarterfinals for the first time in program history with a win over the Tigers.

Story courtesy of Wingate Athletics