The Black College Football Hall of Fame’s Clash at the Classic unfolded Saturday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, where Johnson C. Smith faced Albany State in a 27-7 victory that ended a long drought for the Golden Bulls. The game attracted a crowd of 2,552, the smallest audience since the event began in 2019.
Key Performances
Johnson C. Smith built an early 20-0 lead, highlighted by Fabian Duncan’s 77-yard rushing performance on 17 carries and three touchdowns, including a 40-yard run in the second half. Quarterback Damiel Mazil efficiently directed the offense, completing 8 of 10 passes for 138 yards and posting a 195.9 quarterback rating.
Kicker Alexis Rosario-Beltran added two field goals, the first a 43-yarder that gave the Bulls a 3-0 advantage, while the defense sealed the win when Raegzon Mackey intercepted a pass late in the fourth quarter, preserving the 27-7 margin.
The triumph improved Johnson C. Smith to a 10-2 record and clinched the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association title, while Albany State, the previous year’s Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion, finished at 12-2 in 2024.