2026football schedule
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JCSU Announces 2026 Football Schedule; Golden Bulls to Appear in Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Johnson C. Smith University has released its 2026 football schedule, highlighted by an appearance in the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic and four home contests in the Queen City.
Building on the momentum of last season's 2025 championship run and first NCAA post season appearance, the Golden Bulls enter 2026 with a renewed commitment to excellence.

The Golden Bulls open the season in the Battle of the Border Classic on Aug. 29 in Columbia, South Carolina, taking on the Benedict College Tigers and beginning their fifth consecutive season on the road. Benedict was one of two HBCU programs to reach the 2025 NCAA Division II Playoffs, the Golden Bulls are facing,
 
As CIAA champions, the Golden Bulls will compete in the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic, which will be held at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Sept. 6. JCSU will face SIAC champion Albany State University, one of two HBCU programs to reach the 2025 NCAA Division II Playoffs. The matchup also features a coaching reunion, as Coach Flowers meets former assistant David Bowser, now the head coach at Albany State.

The Golden Bulls continue a traditional CIAA rivalry on Sept. 12 as they open conference play on the road at Winston-Salem State inside Bowman Gray Stadium.

JCSU hosts its home opener at the Irwin Belk Complex on Sept. 19, welcoming the Broncos of Fayetteville State University. Following the open week, the Golden Bulls resume play at Bluefield State on Oct. 3.

JCSU returns home for the next two weeks, beginning with a conference matchup against Shaw University on Oct. 10. Homecoming is scheduled for Oct. 17 as the Golden Bulls welcome Lincoln (Pa.) to the Irwin Belk Complex.

To close out October, the Golden Bulls face Bowie State University on the road in a pivotal late-season conference test before returning home to host Virginia State University on Oct. 31, the final home contest of the season.

JCSU concludes the regular season on Nov. 7 in Salisbury as part of the historic Commemorative Classic, taking on the Blue Bears of Livingstone College in one of the nation's oldest football rivalries.

For the complete 2026 schedule and additional updates, visit the official athletics website.
 
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