For the first time since 1969, the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls sit atop the CIAA football mountain, beating Virginia Union 45-21 in the conference title game.
Though this is Johnson C. Smith’s second CIAA championship in school history, this is their first in the championship game era, losing in the inaugural game in 1970 and in 1972.
The Golden Bulls get revenge on the Panthers, who beat them 28-10 in their regular-season matchup on September 20.
The win also puts an end to Virginia Union’s championship streak, entering this contest looking for its second three-peat in school history.
Kelvin Durham put forth a career performance for the Golden Bulls, finishing with 285 passing yards on 16-of-29 passing, tying a career-high with five passing touchdowns (also scored a rushing touchdown).
His top receiver, Deandre Proctor, posted a season-high 146 receiving yards on seven receptions and scored two touchdowns. Reggie Brigman scored on two of his three receptions, tallying 61 yards.
Despite the loss, CIAA Player of the Year Curtis Allen had a strong performance for the Panthers, rushing for 183 yards on 25 attempts and scoring two touchdowns.
Johnson C. Smith set the tone for the game on its first defensive possession, with a hit by Daryl Taybron forcing a fumble on a rush attempt by Allen to give the offense the ball in plus territory.
Two plays later, the Golden Bulls found the end zone on a 19-yard connection from Durham to Brigman for the game’s first points.
On Virginia Union’s ensuing offensive possession, they turned the ball over to Johnson C. Smith once again, with an underthrown ball getting intercepted by Latrae Bass.
This time, the Panthers returned the favor as a miscommunication by Golden Bulls receivers led to an open interception for Jayden Earley, stepping out of bounds on the return to erase a touchdown.
However, the offense would finish the job with Jaehlan Joyner punching it into the end zone for a touchdown to even the score.
This was the first in a four-drive stretch in which both teams traded touchdowns between the first and second quarters, ending with the Golden Bulls leading 21-14 at halftime.
The second half is where Johnson C. Smith began to create separation, after limiting Virginia Union to a field goal on its first offensive drive in the half.
After averting disaster, preventing a turnover by recovering a fumble, Durham found Proctor downfield for a 58-yard touchdown pass.
Then, on Virginia Union’s first offensive play after the score, they turned the ball over once again, getting a high-sailing pass intercepted by Tynan Tucker.
The Golden Bulls would build on their lead, turning an extended drive into a touchdown on a QB keeper by Durham, making the score 35-14.
This would be the beginning of the end for Virginia Union, as Johnson C. Smith would convert a field goal and score another touchdown for insurance, securing the win.
Johnson C. Smith will now look forward to what will be its first Division II Playoff berth in school history.
Ranked third in the most recent Super Region One Rankings, they are guaranteed to host their first-round contest.
Meanwhile, though Virginia Union is expected to make the Division II Playoff field, questions now arise as to whether or not they will start at home or on the road following this loss.
The NCAA is expected to announce the Division II Playoff field tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. ET on NCAA.com.