While "North Carolina" often refers to the UNC Tar Heels, JCSU maintains fierce, long-standing rivalries with other state-based institutions:
The university is currently experiencing a massive athletic resurgence: Johnson C. Smith v North Carolina - Link 2
The matchup between and the University of North Carolina (UNC) primarily takes place in men's basketball, often as an exhibition game that highlights the regional connection between these two historic North Carolina institutions. Recent Matchup: October 27, 2024 While "North Carolina" often refers to the UNC
: JCSU's primary historical rival is Livingstone College . This rivalry is famous for the first-ever Black college football game played on December 27, 1892. JCSU's Recent Success (2025) JCSU maintains fierce