Essence Classsic
A.D. Drew
9
Morehouse MOR 0-1 , 0-0
45
Winner Johnson C. Smith JCS 1-0 , 0-0
Morehouse MOR
0-1 , 0-0
9
Final
45
Johnson C. Smith JCS
1-0 , 0-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
MOR Morehouse 0 3 6 0 9
JCS Johnson C. Smith 13 13 12 7 45

Game Recap: Football | | A.D. Drew | Athletic Marketing Manager

Morehouse Falls to Johnson C. Smith in Essence HBCU Classic Debut

BOSTON, MA | Playing in the first HBCU vs HBCU football game in Boston since 1971 and celebrating the program's 125th season of football, Morehouse opened its 2025 football campaign with a tough 45–9 loss to Johnson C. Smith in the inaugural Essence HBCU Classic in Boston. Despite flashes of promise, the Maroon Tigers struggled to contain a balanced Golden Bulls offense led by quarterback Kelvin Durham, who accounted for four total touchdowns.

The Golden Bulls struck early and never looked back, capitalizing on turnovers and explosive plays to hand the Maroon Tigers a season-opening setback. Morehouse's lone touchdown came on a 71-yard strike from Miles Scott to Kamrin Brunson early in the third quarter, briefly cutting the deficit to 32–9. But turnovers and penalties plagued the Tigers throughout the afternoon, stalling drives and giving JCSU short fields to capitalize.

Morehouse Highlights

Despite the loss, the Maroon Tigers found moments of promise. Quarterback Miles Scott threw for 262 yards and a touchdown, connecting on a 71-yard strike to Kamrin Brunson in the third quarter for Morehouse's lone trip to the end zone. Brunson finished with seven catches for 90 yards, while Noah Rhodes added 81 yards on six receptions.

On defense, Sean Johnson once again proved to be the heart of the unit, recording a game-high 17 tackles (10 solo) and two tackles for loss. Nicholas Benton contributed an interception that momentarily slowed JCSU's momentum.

With the Loss

  • Morehouse drops to 0–1 on the season and 0–1 in HBCU Classic appearances.
  • The Maroon Tigers committed 16 penalties for 108 yards, including multiple drive-killing infractions.
  • Morehouse quarterbacks combined for four interceptions and were sacked three times.
  • The defense allowed 512 total yards, including 209 on the ground and 303 through the air.
  • Morehouse was just 3-of-12 on third down and 0-of-2 on fourth down conversions.
  • The Maroon Tigers were held scoreless in the first and fourth quarters.
  • Morehouse was penalized 16 times for 108 yards, stalling several promising drives.
  • The Maroon Tigers were just 1-of-4 in the red zone, coming away with only a field goal.

Game Notes

  • Kamrin Brunson led all Morehouse receivers with 90 yards and a touchdown on seven targets.
  • Miles Scott threw for 262 yards but was intercepted three times.
  • Nicholas Woodford broke off a 45-yard run late in the fourth quarter, finishing with 53 rushing yards on four carries.
  • Senior linebacker Sean Johnson recorded a game-high 17 tackles, including two for loss.
  • Special teams bright spot: Seve Spruill averaged 42.6 yards per punt, including a 57-yard boot that flipped the field.
  • The Essence HBCU Classic marked the first HBCU football game played in Boston since 1971, marking a historic return of Black College football to New England. The event is part of a broader effort to expand HBCU visibility in nontraditional regions.
  • The matchup celebrated 125 seasons of Morehouse football and the nation's oldest HBCU football program, Johnson C. Smith.
  • The Essence HBCU Classic marked the first time Morehouse played in New England, part of a broader effort to expand HBCU visibility in nontraditional regions.
Morehouse will look to regroup as it has a bye week before facing Howard in the HBCU NY Classic in two weeks. For up-to-date athletic information on the Maroon Tigers, follow them on social media or online at www.morehouseathletics.com or Maroon Tiger football on instagram @morehousefootball.
 
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