The pausing of one HBCU program continues to reshape CIAA football. The Johnson C Smith University football program has added a home game for the 2024 season. JCSU will host Lincoln (Pa.) on Saturday, September 14 in the Eddie McGirt Classic.
The Golden Bulls will now play a total of five home games inside Irwin Belk Complex. It kicks off the season against SIAC foe Tuskegee University in the Red Tails Classic in Week Zero.
Johnson C Smith is coming off a 7-4 season in 2023, including a 27-20 win over Lincoln last fall. That game was played in Lincoln, PA. JCSU played in the inaugural Florida Beach Bowl against Fort Valley State University.
Rounding out the home schedules, JCSU will host the two CIAA Virginia schools, Virginia Union and Virginia State, a bye week before hosting Shaw for Homecoming and closing out the home season with Fayetteville State.
Both schools had an opening on their schedules as HBCU Saint Augustine’s University announced that it will be pausing its football program for the 2024 season as the school looks to stabilize itself due to accreditation issues. Lincoln was originally scheduled to play Saint Augustine’s on Sept. 14.