Durham, NC/November 15, 2025 – Johnson C. Smith University completed a championship journey fifty-five years in the making on Saturday afternoon, defeating two-time defending champion Virginia Union 45–21 inside Durham County Memorial Stadium to capture the 2025 CIAA Football Championship. The victory marks the Golden Bulls’ first CIAA football title since 1969, restoring a legacy long held in memory and returning the program to the summit of Black College football.
A Legacy Restored
For generations, Johnson C. Smith’s last football championship existed in photographs, archives, and the recollections of alumni who lived it. On championship Saturday, history stepped back into the spotlight. From the opening whistle to the final snap, the Golden Bulls played like a team determined to close a fifty-five-year chapter.
JCSU struck early with 14 first quarter points, setting a tone of confidence and control that lasted the full four quarters. Quarterback Kelvin Durham led the charge with a performance that will be remembered in Golden Bulls history, completing 16 of 29 passes for 285 yards and accounting for three total touchdowns. His third quarter 58-yard touchdown pass to Deandre Proctor ignited the stadium, while his 32-yard touchdown strike to Reggie Brigman with 58 seconds remaining sealed the championship and sparked a celebration decades in the making.
Commissioner’s Remarks
“This championship was more than a game; it was a powerful reminder of what tradition, resilience, and belief can build,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker, now in her 14th championship season. “Johnson C. Smith played with heart, purpose, and an understanding of the history they were stepping into. Today they did not just win a title, they restored a legacy that means so much to their campus, their alumni, and to the CIAA. We celebrate them, and we celebrate the competitive spirit both programs brought to this championship stage.”
Complete Team Performance
The Golden Bulls finished with 387 total yards and 20 first downs, converting an exceptional 9 of 12 third down attempts. Freshman running back Bobby Smith provided toughness in the run game, helping JCSU close the contest with 102 rushing yards on 31 attempts and key late game drives that allowed the Golden Bulls to take full control of the clock.
On defense, Johnson C. Smith delivered one of its strongest outings of the season. Ahmad Ross led with eight tackles, followed by Lamumba Howard with seven and Jason Mitchell with five, anchoring a unit that forced two interceptions and recovered a fumble. The Golden Bulls limited Virginia Union’s passing game to 150 yards and held the Panthers to 4 of 12 on third down.
Champions Tested
Virginia Union, competing for its third consecutive CIAA title, showcased resolve and the championship DNA that has defined its recent run. All American running back Curtis Allen delivered one of the most impressive individual efforts in CIAA championship history, rushing for 238 yards on 43 carries. Quarterback RJ Rosales added 150 passing yards on 10 completions, and the Panthers totaled 388 yards of offense while fighting until the final whistle.
Defensively, VUU was led by Vincent Hill with seven tackles, while Jalen Alexander and TyQueron Hines added six each. The Panthers also produced a 42-yard interception return in the second half.
Most Valuable Player
Wide receiver Deandre Proctor of Johnson C. Smith was named the 2025 CIAA Football Championship MVP after delivering the game’s most explosive and defining moments. Proctor’s ability to stretch the field changed the trajectory of the matchup, highlighted by his 58-yard touchdown reception that broke the game open in the third quarter. His playmaking, separation, and impact on field position consistently shifted momentum in favor of the Golden Bulls. Proctor’s performance embodied the confidence, urgency, and belief that carried JCSU to its first CIAA football title in fifty-five years.
History Made
With the victory, Johnson C. Smith University returns to the top of CIAA football for the first time in more than half a century. What began as a season of belief ended in a moment of triumph, as the Golden Bulls reclaimed their place in the CIAA record book and restored a championship legacy generations in the making.
