Fresh off of the most successful season the football program has had in years, Johnson C. Smith will begin 2024 in primetime.
The Golden Bulls have been announced as Tuskegee’s opponent in the Red Tails Classic on Sunday, Sept. 1, which will air on ESPN, according to Herbert L. White of the Charlotte Post. JCSU went 7-3 in the regular season in 2023, finishing as CIAA South runners-up to Fayetteville State, and also participated in the inaugural Florida Beach Bowl, losing 23-10 to Fort Valley State of the SIAC.
In their first season under former quarterback Aaron James, Tuskegee also finished the 2023 regular season 7-3, finishing behind conference champion Benedict and runner-up Albany State.
This will be the first meeting between Smith and the Golden Tigers since 2012, a 35-17 win for Tuskegee.
“The Red Tails Classic has so much tradition playing against Tuskegee University, one of the most storied championships football programs there is,” Golden Bulls head coach Maurice Flowers told the Post. “It’s an honor to be able to play in the Red Tails Classic. We are excited. It is great for our football program to be playing in a nationally televised game.”