Johnson C. Smith’s 2025 football campaign got going with a strong defensive performance in a 45-9 win over Morehouse in the inaugural Essence HBCU Classic.
This is the second time in the past three seasons the Golden Bulls have begun a season winning by a margin of over 35 points (defeated West Virginia Wesleyan 49-6 in the 2023 season opener).
Fort Valley State quarterback transfer Kelvin Durham put forth a strong performance in his opener with Johnson C. Smith. He put together 270 passing yards on an efficient 15-of-19 passing and scoring three touchdowns.
Redshirt freshman Brian Lane paced all receivers with six receptions for 163 yards and a touchdown.
The Golden Bulls started this game hot, with their defense forcing the first of four interceptions in the game to set up a touchdown on the opening offensive drive.
After forcing a three-and-out on Morehouse’s next drive, they put another scoring touchdown on the board to build a 13-0 lead in the first six minutes.
After Morehouse was unable to capitalize on a Johnson C. Smith interception, the Golden Bulls took advantage and scored again on a four-yard rushing touchdown by Kamarro Edmonds.
BLOWOUT IN BOSTON!
JCSU crushed Morehouse at the Essence HBCU Classic
Fans left early.
GOLD before BLUE!pic.twitter.com/Tg5rnewsJv
— Johnson C. Smith U. (@JCSUniversity) August 31, 2025
The Maroon Tigers finally got on the board before the end of the first half with a 23-yard field goal, but the Golden Bulls answered with a two-yard rushing touchdown to take a 26-3 lead into the half.
Scoring again to begin the second half, Morehouse finally found its first bit of momentum, scoring on a 71-yard passing touchdown from Miles Scott to Kamrin Brunson.
On the ensuing kickoff, Morehouse recovered a surprise onside kick to get the ball back with a chance to trim the lead.
They would drive the ball down into Johnson C. Smith territory, but a sack on third-down and a failed fourth-down conversion attempt ended the drive prematurely.
The Maroon Tigers got another chance to score in the red zone, as Scot connected on a 68-yard pass to Noah Rhodes to put them at the 13-yard line. However, on the next play, Golden Bulls linebacker Quavaris Crouch forced an interception to effectively end the game.
Johnson C. Smith would score two more touchdowns to put the game completely out of reach.
The Golden Bulls play in their home opener next weekend against Valdosta State while Morehouse will travel to East Rutherford, New Jersey to face Howard in the HBCUNY Classic.
