Johnson C. Smith of the CIAA and the SIAC’s Morehouse College will face off on the campus of Harvard University Saturday Aug. 30 in the Inaugural Essence HBCU Kickoff Classic.
🚨 SAVE THE DATE 🚨
Johnson C. Smith University takes on Morehouse College in the Essence HBCU Kickoff Classic at Harvard Stadium in Cambridge, MA — August 30, 2025!
Be there for the FIRST-EVER HBCU football game on Harvard’s campus. Let’s paint the Yard gold and blue! 💛💙 pic.twitter.com/1FroI9IjIU
— JCSU Athletics (@JCSUSports) July 10, 2025
The Golden Bulls went 8-2 in 2024, leading the CIAA for most of the season until a two-game losing streak against rivals Fayetteville State and Livingstone College ended their championship dreams.
The Maroon Tigers went 1-9 in their first season under former NFL wide receiver Terance Mathis. Their lone victory was a 31-28 win over Kentucky State in the Chicago Football Classic Sept. 21.
