DURHAM, N.C. — Virginia Union University battled to the final whistle in Saturday's CIAA Championship Game, but a strong offensive performance from Johnson C. Smith proved too much to overcome as the Panthers fell 45–21 at Durham County Memorial Stadium.

Senior running back Curtis Allen delivered another standout performance, rushing for 183 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 7.3 yards per carry. VUU totaled 238 yards on the ground and finished with 388 total yards of offense, but four turnovers and several short-field opportunities for JCSU swung the momentum early and often.

Johnson C. Smith jumped ahead 14–7 after a pair of first-quarter touchdown passes from Kelvin Durham. The Golden Bulls extended their lead on a 25-yard scoring strike in the second quarter, but the Panthers responded behind Allen's physical running, tying the game 14–14 with an 11-play, 65-yard drive early in the second.

VUU trailed 21–14 at halftime and threatened multiple times in the third quarter, but two interceptions halted promising drives. JCSU capitalized with consecutive touchdowns to push the margin to 35–14.

Allen's second touchdown of the day capped a 12-play, 75-yard fourth-quarter drive, pulling the Panthers within 38–21. However, Johnson C. Smith added a late score to seal the win.

Defensively, Ahmad Ross led VUU with eight tackles and a forced fumble. Lamumba Howard added seven tackles, while Jayden Earley recorded a 42-yard interception return in the first quarter.

After the game, Head Football Coach Dr. Alvin Parker praised the opponent while emphasizing his team's resilience.

"Hats off to Johnson C. Smith. Those guys played a heck of a ball game," Parker said. "It's always a cliché to say it's hard to beat somebody twice in a season, but hats off to those guys and Coach Flowers. We're going to look at this game and make corrections going forward. We'll see how things go on Sunday in the NCAA Selection Show and see where postseason play goes for us."

Virginia Union finishes the regular season 9–2, including 7-0 in CIAA play, and now awaits its postseason fate. The NCAA Division II Football Championship Selection Show will air Sunday, where the Panthers look to earn their third straight appearance in the national playoffs.