Johnson C. Smith University football has responded to its season-opening loss with back-to-back wins, including a 31-6 victory over Winston-Salem State in its CIAA opener. Now the defending CIAA champions return to Charlotte for their first true home game of the season—and another major test against Fayetteville State. Head coach Maurice Flowers looks back at JCSU’s win over WSSU, explains how a team with 60 new players is still developing its identity, and discusses the increased teaching required after losing more than 30 seniors from last season’s championship roster. Flowers also breaks down the growth of the Golden Bulls’ defense, an evolving offense led by Fabian Duncan, the quarterback situation involving Damien Mazil and Parker McQuarrie, and why JCSU deliberately opened the season with four demanding opponents. JCSU enters the Eddie McGirt Classic at 2-1 overall and 1-0 in CIAA play. Fayetteville State also arrives at 2-1 and 1-0, making the matchup an early test between t...