Johnson C. Smith gears up for first CIAA title game in 51 years against VUU

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For the first time in half a century, Johnson C. Smith football will play for a conference championship this weekend.

The Golden Bulls used a 9-1 regular season to propel the program to the CIAA title game on Saturday against Virginia Union in Durham.

JCSU has not been to the championship game since 1972, and won it just once in 1969.

For head coach and former player Maurice Flowers, it’s a special moment.

“That’s the type of emotion we have to see our  university winning in football and challenging. It makes me feel very good as a Charlottean,” Flowers. “I’ve seen some of the lean years of JCSU.”

JCSU’s lone loss this season was to VUU, 28-10.

Virginia Union is the two-time defending league champion.

“If we play well we have an opportunity to win,” Flowers said. “It’s a great opportunity. We’re not in this as a revenge game, we’re focusing on us.”

Contact Nick Carboni at ncarboni@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.

You can stream WCNC Charlotte on Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV, just download the free WCNC+ app to get the news that impacts you.