What ‘one of the bigger wins at JCSU’ means after defeat of D-II Valdosta State
The latest scramble completed, punctuating the next step in searching for a program-defining victory, Kelvin Durham took both hands and turned them into makeshift ear muffs while sauntering to the sideline.
It was the Johnson C. Smith University quarterback’s personal sign language, a way for him to deliver his own message to the masses after getting into the end zone and putting the Golden Knights in prime position to pull off the upset and stun one of the top programs in Division II.
The interpretation, though, is rather simplistic to Durham.
“It was just blocking everything out and just focus on the game,” Durham said. “Keep the main thing, the main thing. It helped me just relax, knowing that my coach and my teammates, they all had my back. I just had to do my job and not play hero ball. Not do anything too much more or anything less. Just do what I’m asked to do. And that’s what I did.”
Durham’s poise was on full display against Valdosta State. Making his JCSU home debut after transferring from Fort Valley State, Durham ran for two touchdowns and threw for another to power the Golden Bulls in a 28-16 victory at Eddie C. McGirt Field on Saturday.
But this isn’t just any old triumph.
If anyone understands the significance — particularly of the rarity of JCSU knocking off the No. 11 team in the American Football Coaches Association’s Top 25 — it’s Maurice Flowers. The East Mecklenburg grad starred in football and basketball, and took on the program’s reins three years ago, returning to his alma mater as head coach.
“I don’t know when there was a team that was higher ranked or with as much Division II banner that came as much as Valdosta,” Flowers said. “I definitely want to say (it’s) one of the bigger wins at JCSU. Has to be. But it was an earned win.”
He added: “Valdosta State is coming off a national championship game appearance. … This win in 2025 was bigger than we had against (Virginia) Union in 2024.”
It’s exactly what Flowers envisioned when he came on board in 2022.
Since arriving on campus, Flowers’ imprints on the program are undeniable. He led JCSU to its best record since 1975, and steered the Golden Bulls to their first first bowl appearance in more than a decade.
An 8-2 mark last season helped springboard Flowers and Co. inside the Division II Top 25 for the first time in program history, a feat that lasted six weeks. And for the first time in school history, JCSU was tabbed at No. 2 in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s preseason predicted order of finish.
And with the foundation laid, Flowers is eager for the Golden Bulls to make that next leap.
He has eyes on a CIAA title, something that JCSU hasn’t accomplished since the year of Richard Nixon’s presidential inauguration, and is focused on staking a claim in the D-II playoffs for the first time in school history.
So far, so good. Considering they were following up a 45-9 thrashing of Morehouse College in the Essence HBCU Classic at Harvard Stadium in Massachusetts a week ago, the Golden Bulls (2-0) are setting themselves up to be in the mix and turn Flowers’ hope into reality.
“We are mentally tougher right now,” Flowers said. “And that’s really the way it should be. Our whole goal since we’ve been at JCSU was to get better each year. So how can we improve from 24? We can be a tougher team mentally. And part of that is when you get down, that you don’t get down. You keep fighting, and that’s what we showed.
“And to do it against a quality opponent, that’s the biggest thing. Because there’s no doubting the team we just played.”
Or Durham’s skillset based on his latest heroics.
In three seasons at Fort Valley State, Durham threw for more than 4,300 yards, racking up 40 touchdowns — not counting the five he rushed for — and completed 60% of his attempts. Last season, he stockpiled 2,096 yards and 23 touchdowns.
He already has a relationship with Flowers, given Flowers recruited the Homestead, Fla. native out of South Dade High School while Flowers was the head coach at Fort Valley State. That familiarity has led to a few fun moments already.
“He wants to win, and he wants everyone around him to win and play at a high level,” Flowers said of Durham. “Early first quarter, I want to say probably the first drive, he missed a wide-open touchdown. And I’m ready to get him.
“And he looks me in the eye and he says, ‘I got it, Coach. I’ll get it back,’ And I’m like, ‘I need more than that!’ But that’s who he is. That’s what he brings to us. But he competes and he’s contagious.”
And apparently enjoying everything that comes along with the JCSU football experience.
“It’s been amazing since my first day here,” Durham said. “As soon as I committed, all the receivers texted me, ready to get some work when I come up here. The coaching staff, my teammates are a great support. I’m far away from home right now, but they make me feel like home always.
“Whatever I need, they are there to help me. On and off the field. So, I feel like it’s my opportunity to do what I’ve got to do on and off the field as well.”
This story was originally published September 6, 2025 at 7:30 PM.
