Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls run away from Albany State Golden Rams 27-7 in 'Clash at the Classic'
The Johnson C. Smith University Golden Bulls (1-1, 0-0) defeated the Albany State University Golden Rams (0-2,0-0) 27-7 Sunday in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in the 2026 Black College Football Hall of Fame “Clash at the Classic.”
Leading Johnson C. Smith’s potent rushing attack was Fabian Duncan, who rushed for 144 yards on 21 carries and tied his career high with three rushing touchdowns. JCSU quarterback Damien Mazil tallied 184 yards on 12-of-18 passing with neither a touchdown nor turnover before the Golden Bulls replaced their starters in the fourth quarter.
“We earned the right to play these big games,” said JCSU head coach Maurice Flowers. “This roster that we’ve assembled is easily the most talented roster we’ve had at Johnson C. Smith since we’ve been there. But talent does not guarantee wins… The chemistry showed, but we still have a lot of work to do.”
Albany State started Jeffery Davis at quarterback, and he completed 6-of-9 passes for 79 yards and added 14 yards rushing in one quarter of play. Vinson Berry led the ASU offense for the following two quarters, totaling 41 yards on 5-of-17 passing with one interception. Xavier Irizarry finished the game for ASU, completing only one of his six attempts for 28 yards and throwing two interceptions.
“This is a lesson,” ASU head coach David Bowser said following the game. “We’ve just got to learn from it.”
JCSU led the game in all three phases, outgaining Albany 369-227 and controlling the time of possession for 33 minutes and 51 seconds.
JCSU’s middle linebacker Vincent Hill led the game in tackles with nine, ahead of ASU’s weakside linebacker Ian Rembert, who had seven.
The “Clash” was the culmination of a four-day weekend honoring the 2026 class of Black College Football Hall of Fame inductees. The weekend featured multiple events rooted in service, faith and community, including the Classic College Fair, the Habitat for Humanity Day of Service and a special showing of Maria Taylor’s documentary “Field Generals: History of the Black Quarterback.”
How it happened
On ASU’s opening possession, Davis fumbled on a kept read-option play. forced by JCSU’s Reagzon Mackey forced the fumble, which was recovered by Rossie Grimes. The JCSU offense, beginning their offensive drive at the opposing 42-yard line, converted the opportunity into their first points of the day, a 43-yard field goal by kicker Chris Meija.
On the following drive, Davis connected with Jaquan Graham on a slant across the middle of the field that the speedy receiver took for 27 yards. JCSU defensive end Cameron Wallace broke into the backfield for a disruptive tackle for a loss, stalling Albany’s drive. Going for it on fourth down, Davis took an off-schedule sack rolling out of the pocket, resulting in a turnover on downs.
After multiple traded punts, JCSU’s Duncan weaved through numerous defenders on a 24-yard run as he bolted down the sideline into Albany territory, setting the Golden Bulls up for a 28-yard field goal - again by Meija - giving them a 6-0 lead with 12:16 remaining in the second quarter.
On their next offensive drive, JCSU’s Mazil delivered a strike down the middle of the field for a 30-yard gain to Brian Lane, taking the Golden Bulls to Albany’s 28-yard line. Following a holding penalty, Mazil fired another deep inside pass to Reginald Brigman for a 34-yard gain, the longest completion of the day. Duncan burst through the end zone from 4 yards out, and an extra point gave JCSU a 13-0 lead with 8:19 remaining in the first half.
JCSU’s offense continued to shine late in the first half, as Mazil connected again with Brigman for a 38-yard pass-and-catch, taking the Golden Bulls down to ASU’s 17-yard line. Duncan broke into the end zone again, this time from the 2-yard line, giving the Golden Bulls a 20-0 lead with 7 seconds left in the first half.
At halftime, both the Albany State University Marching Rams Show Band and Johnson C. Smith’s International Institution of Sound engulfed the field with high-energy performances and precise marching, each bringing their own unique flare.
On the opening drive of the second half, Duncan bounced outside his left tackle and blazed down the sideline in a 40-yard sprint for his third touchdown of the game to extend the JCSU lead to 27-0.
On ASU’s ensuing drive, Berry’s pass over the middle was intercepted by JCSU’s weakside linebacker Jamaris Stevens, whose bulldozing return was nullified by a block-in-the-back penalty. Albany’s defense stonewalled JCSU, whose drive totaled 0 yards, forcing a turnover on downs.
Failing to convert the opportunity, Albany again punted to JCSU, who drove down to the 2-yard line. Running back Kamarro Edmonds fumbled on the doorstep of the end zone, and Albany recovered the ball for a touchback. Albany’s offense again was stymied, and the team punted for the fifth time with 3:14 remaining in the third quarter.
