Johnson C. Smith (JCSU) made history Saturday night, not just on the scoreboard. The Golden Bulls stormed past Morehouse 45–9 in the inaugural Essence HBCU Kickoff Classic at Harvard Stadium, a matchup that combined dominant football with an HBCU homecoming-like atmosphere rarely seen in Boston.
From the opening quarter, JCSU imposed its will. The Golden Bulls raced out to a 13–0 lead in the first quarter, then doubled it before halftime. By the break, the game was firmly in hand, and JCSU kept pouring it on with 12 points in the third and another touchdown in the fourth to cap the 45-9 rout.
The Essence HBCU Classic marked the first HBCU football game hosted at Harvard Stadium in decades, a symbolic milestone in blending tradition with new audiences. Fans were treated not only to a showcase of SIAC football but also a celebration of HBCU culture.
While official attendance numbers weren’t released, the stands told the story: Harvard Stadium was packed. The atmosphere felt more like Greensboro, Charlotte, or Atlanta than Cambridge. A gift from New Edition on their special weekend, Boston’s own R&B legends helped transform the event into an authentic HBCU-like homecoming vibe, complete with energy, music, and pride that spilled beyond the field.