CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Under clear skies and a perfect 73-degree afternoon at the Irwin Belk Complex, as No. 11 Johnson C. Smith University closed out its season with a hard-fought 21–7 loss to Frostburg State on Saturday. A crowd of 4,293 looked on as the Golden Bulls battled back from an early deficit but were ultimately unable to overcome Frostburg's fast start and dominant ground game.

Frostburg State struck quickly, needing just 40 seconds to get on the board. Running back KJ Smothers ripped off a 41-yard touchdown run, capping a 49-yard drive in only two plays to give the Bobcats a 7–0 lead.
Smothers continued to be the story in the second quarter. With 12:37 remaining before halftime, he punched in a two-yard touchdown, finishing a short 42-yard drive and extending Frostburg's lead to 14–0, a score that held through the break.

JCSU came to life in the third quarter, putting together its most complete drive of the afternoon. Quarterback Kelvin Durham engineered an 80-yard, eight-play march and finished it himself—connecting with DeAndre Proctor for a seven-yard touchdown pass at the 4:04 mark, bringing the Golden Bulls back within 14–7.

But Frostburg sealed the game in the final minute of regulation. Once again, it was Smothers delivering the blow, scoring his third rushing touchdown of the day—a five-yard run that capped a 63-yard drive and pushed the Bobcats' lead to 21–7 with just 56 seconds left.

The Golden Bulls were unable to answer in the final seconds as Frostburg closed out the win.