One of the biggest games in Division II HBCU football will take place on opening weekend. CIAA champion Johnson C. Smith will travel to face SIAC runner-up Benedict on Saturday, Aug. 29 in Columbia, SC.
Both teams are coming off 10-win seasons and D2 playoff appearances. Both teams are expected to contend for their respective conference titles again in 2026.
Why This Game Matters: Two of Division II HBCU football’s top programs collide on opening weekend. The defending CIAA champion meets the SIAC runner-up in a matchup featuring the preseason’s top two ranked teams in the Black College Football Poll.
Beyond the early national spotlight, the winner gains an important résumé-building victory that could pay dividends when playoff selections arrive in November.
🔄 Last Updated: July 16, 2026
🏟️ Game Information
Johnson C. Smith at Benedict
Date: Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026
Time: 5 p.m. ET
Location: Charlie W. Johnson Stadium, Columbia, SC
TV/Stream: SIAC Network+
📚 Series History
- Johnson C. Smith leads 7-4-1
- Last Meeting: Johnson C. Smith 34, Benedict 31 (Sept. 14, 2019)
- Current Streak: Johnson C. Smith, W1
- First Meeting: Benedict 32, Johnson C. Smith 13 (Sept. 27, 1947)
Johnson C. Smith rushed for 278 yards and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns en route to a 34-31 win at Benedict in the most recent meeting between the teams in 2019.
In a game full of explosive plays, JCSU’s Damon Rice brought the opening kickoff back for a 90-yard touchdown to set the tone. Rice scored again on an 85-yard kickoff return in the second period.
Teammate Emanuel Wilson had touchdown runs of 83, 73 and 64 yards, finishing the game with 265 yards on the ground. The win helped JCSU snap a three-game losing skid.
Fast Facts
- Johnson C. Smith won its first CIAA championship in football since 1969 last season. The Golden Bulls also set a school record for most wins (10) before falling to Frostburg State in the first round of the playoffs
- Benedict finished 10-3 in 2025, advancing to the SIAC championship game before losing to Albany State. The Tigers won the school’s first-ever playoff game, defeating Wingate with a wild jailbreak touchdown play on the final snap.
- Johnson C. Smith has been picked to finish second in the CIAA by league coaches and sports information directors, though HBCU media have pegged the Golden Bulls as the top team in the inaugural preseason Black College Football Poll.
- ⭐ Featured Game in our 25 Games to Watch series
🔍 What to Watch
Can JCSU validate its breakthrough?
The Golden Bulls finally climbed the mountain in 2025. Now comes the harder task – proving they can stay there.
Strength vs. strength
Both teams fielded elite defenses last season. Which offense can create explosive plays?
An early playoff measuring stick
Although it’s Week 0, this is the type of inter-conference game that foreshadows playoff potential.
How does JCSU handle a brutal opening month?
With Albany State, Winston-Salem State and Fayetteville State looming, the Golden Bulls can’t afford a slow start.
📊 By the Numbers
- 20 – Combined wins for Johnson C. Smith and Benedict in 2025.
- 1, 2 – Preseason ranking for JCSU and Benedict, respectively, in the preseason Black College Football Poll for D2 schools
- 6 – Johnson C. Smith players listed on the preseason CIAA All-Conference team, announced in mid-July, second-most of any league school
- 265 – Rushing yards for Johnson C. Smith running back Emanuel Wilson in the Golden Bulls’ 34-31 win over Benedict in the schools’ last meeting in 2019.
- 17 – Points-per-game surrendered by both the Johnson C. Smith and Benedict defenses in 2025
- 934 – Rushing yards for JCSU running back Bobby Smith last season. Smith is back for the Golden Bulls in 2026.
📈 What’s at Stake
For Johnson C. Smith
- Spoiling Benedict’s home opener
- Validating the No. 1 ranking in the preseason Black College Football Poll
- Building confidence heading into a challenging early season schedule, which features two additional games against teams ranked in the HBCU top 10.
For Benedict
- A season’s opening victory in front of the home fans
- A chance to beat the defending CIAA champions
- An opportunity for a third-straight win over a North Carolina opponent (Wingate and Fayetteville State in 2025)
📝 Prediction
We’ll publish our official prediction during game week.
⭐ Featured Game: Tennessee Tech at Western Carolina was selected as one of NC Football News’ 25 Games That Could Define the 2026 Season, our statewide look at the most important matchups from the ACC to Division III.
🔗 More NC Football Coverage
- Johnson C. Smith football schedule
- CIAA standings
- 2026 week-by-week schedule
- North Carolina college football scores
📝 Game Recap
Check back after the game for a recap, stats and observations.
