By james art In a historic display of resilience and skill, Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) pulled off an important 24-15 victory over HBCU/CIAA rival Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) at Bowman Gray Stadium. The win marked the first time JCSU had defeated WSSU on its home court since 1975 and represented the first back-to-back wins over the Rams since the 1975-76 season. Now 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the CIAA, the Golden Bulls have relived the magic of 1975, their last eight-win season.
JCSU’s defense set the tone early, stifling the WSSU offense and limiting it to just 155 total yards. WSSU managed just six first downs in the game and was held to 39 yards rushing, averaging just 1.7 yards per carry.
The Golden Bulls’ defensive front dominated, preventing the Rams from establishing any momentum down the field. The Rams’ passing game fared slightly better, as quarterback Dalynn Lee completed just 10 of 25 passes, often facing pressure that forced throws and incompletions.
JCSU’s offense, meanwhile, found success through a balanced attack. Running back Kamar Edmonds was instrumental, scoring the game’s opening touchdown on a 6-yard strike and later breaking free for a 56-yard run in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Darius Ocean connected with Edmonds for a 27-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, building a 17-0 lead that JCSU would not relinquish.
Although WSSU briefly rallied with a 37-yard interception by Narike Smith to cut the deficit to 17-7, the Golden Bulls responded with clock control capped by a short touchdown run by Quavari Crouch. A late WSSU touchdown was not enough to overcome a dominant performance by the Golden Bulls.
This win not only cements JCSU’s position as an elite HBCU program this season, but also confirms their place in CIAA history. Returning home to face Fayetteville State, the Golden Bulls’ undefeated season and championship hopes continue to capture the attention of HBCU fans and alumni across the country.