2022 CIAA Football Standings
2022 CIAA Football Composite Schedule
2022 CIAA Football Statistics
CHARLOTTE, NC - Week 8 is another set of divisional matchups, which means fans could be in store for a few surprises, similar to last week. Of course, all eyes are on if Virginia Union and Fayetteville State can continue to handle its business all the way until November 12th. There are still interesting contests elsewhere in the conference, like Chowan at Bowie State and a pair of games that will go a long ways towards shaping the rest of the Southern Division.
Let's take a full look at this week's slate of games:
#10 Virginia Union (7-0; 5-0 CIAA) at Lincoln (PA) (2-4; 1-3 CIAA), 12 P.M.
Virginia Union has the top-ranked scoring offense (48.6 points per game) and the top rusher (Jada Byers; 1,373 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns) in all of Division II Football and while it seems like the Panthers are careening towards a CIAA Football Championship appearance, the Panthers cannot overlook the Lions. Lincoln (PA) has a very underrated defense that allows just 18 points and 110 rushing yards a game (both third in the CIAA). Freshman signalcaller Isaiah Freeman, with the added benefit of playing at home, has been playing really well for the Lions, coming off of passing for a career-high 284 yards against Elizabeth City State. Freeman has thrown for multiple touchdowns in three straight games and has a total TD-to-INT ratio of 10:0. He's also the team's second leading rusher behind Amir Gerald, who is averaging nearly 90 yards per game on the ground. Saturday, Freeman and Gerald goes up against an elite Virginia Union front seven, which has 74 tackles for a loss in seven games and features defensive linemen Armonii Burden, who leads the conference in sacks with seven, and linebacker Shamar Graham, who leads the Panthers with 46 total tackles. On the other side, Byers looks to continue his Harlon Hill Trophy candidacy after two straight games of at least 200 rushing yards. Last week against Bowie State, the sophomore rushed 30 times for 277 yards in the overtime win. The Lions' Mike Johnson (47 tackles and seven stops for a loss) and Derrick McCoy (30 tackles and a team-high eight stops for a loss) will have their hands full for 60 minutes against the Panthers and Byers.
Fayetteville State (5-2; 4-1 CIAA) at Johnson C. Smith (2-4; 2-3 CIAA), 1:00 P.M.
The Golden Bulls are looking to avenge last week's loss to Saint Augustine's, which stole JCSU's momentum of a two-game winning streak. There is no better time to avenge a defeat than on your Homecoming, however, Fayetteville State is not the ideal opponent to rebound against. The Broncos have seemed to found their offense, in addition to their stout defense. The combination of Demari Daniels and Barry Elliott these past two games have led to a new dimension of explosiveness. Daniels has completed 11-of-15 passes for 306 yards and five touchdowns in two games and Elliott has converted five catches into five touchdowns and 229 yards. As for Johnson C. Smith, after registering at least 391 yards of total offense in its first four games, the Golden Bulls gained a season-low 273 against the Falcons. JCSU would benefit from getting Brevin Caldwell back on the track. Caldwell has eight catches for 86 yards in the past two games. The freshman has posted better numbers than those in three separate games, including an 11-reception, 119-yard, two touchdown performance against Bluefield State and a 143-yard, two touchdown game against Chowan. JCSU needs Caldwell and fellow receivers Jaron Hull (20 receptions for 315 yards) and Reginald Bryant (25 catches for 249 yards) to perform well against a tough Broncos' secondary that features Tyren Belcher and Kenneth Merritt, who combine for 15 pass breakups. JCSU safety Sharrod Simmon might be actually be the difference between a FSU first down and a touchdown. Simmon is second on the team with 36 total tackles, behind linebacker Benari Black and his 47 tackles and 4.5 stops for a loss. Black might be the difference between a short gain and a FSU first down.
Livingstone (2-5; 1-4 CIAA) at Shaw (2-5; 2-3 CIAA), 1:00 P.M.
It feels like ages ago that Shaw defeated Bowie State as the Bears have suffered three straight defeats, including losses to divisional opponents Johnson C. Smith and Winston-Salem State. The Bears just haven't been able to put enough points on the scoreboard and fans will be expecting a treat (and a win) for Shaw's Homecoming. Redshirt freshman Patrick Blake played well in his first career start for Shaw (17-of-26 for 147 yards and a touchdown) and the Bears will need him to build on that. However, it is likely that for Shaw to win, they will need to continue to rely on its impressive defense. Defensive back Akeythio Carson leads Shaw with 50 tackles, six stops for a loss, and two forced fumbles and linebacker Joerail White (46 tackles and two fumble recoveries) lead the unit. That great defense goes up against Livingstone offense that has yet to score more than 20 points this season. However, there is some talent on that side of the ball for Blue Bears with receivers Matthew Henry (30 catches for 369 yards and three touchdowns) and Lasirton Bryant, who has scored a touchdown in the past two games. In each of Livingstone's five losses this season, the Blue Bears have allowed at least 35 points while Shaw has scored 35 points once. Livingstone has a pair of linebackers in Will Tims and Jaden Echols that could make life difficult for Shaw. The linebacker duo combines for 85 tackles and seven stops for a loss while cornerback Kevin Larkins Jr. is a takeaway machine all by himself with five interceptions.
Winston-Salem State (1-5; 1-3 CIAA) at St. Augustine's (1-6; 1-4 CIAA), 1:00 P.M.
Both these teams enter Saturday with confidence after earning their first wins last week when the Rams defeated Shaw, 17-10, and the Falcons beat Johnson C. Smith, 28-25. The Rams won behind Asa Barnes and his 124 yards rushing on 23 carries, a solid and timely play from the defense and special teams, such as Freddie Johnson Jr.'s 81-yard intercexxption return and Will Blackstone's 68-yard blocked field goal return for a touchdown. St. Aug won its game thanks to Chris Perkins, who passed for 150 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 87 more. The defense also contributed with key plays, like D'Andre Tolson's 63-yard interception return. Barnes and Perkins are the engines of their respective offenses and this contest might rest on who has a better game. In six games, Barnes is averaging nearly 82 yards per game and Perkins is the Falcons' leading passer and rusher with 686 yards through the air and 144 yards on the ground. St. Aug's Lee Sales (team-leading 42 tackles) and Adam Aiken have combined for 10 tackles for a loss and they will be tasked with slowing down Barnes. For Winston-Salem State, defensive back Justin Fleming (team-leading 17 solo tackles and three interceptions) and defensive lineman Karron Jeter (five sacks in the last three games) will have a huge impact on Perkins' potential success, or lack thereof.
Chowan (4-3; 4-1 CIAA) at Bowie State (4-3; 3-2 CIAA), 1:00 P.M.
There is a path for Chowan to be leading the Northern Division by the end of October. That path begins Saturday with a win against Bowie State and then a win on the road versus Virginia Union next week. There is a path to get to the top for Bowie State, as well, but they will need very favorable results elsewhere. The Bulldogs had reeled off three straight wins before last week's overtime loss to Virginia Union. Meanwhile, the Hawks have won four out of their last five games, including very close wins over Lincoln (PA) and Virginia State in the past two weeks. Chowan has relied on its playmakers on defense to lead it to wins. Defensive backs Kmare Carey and Simeon Burns have combined for seven interceptions and six pass deflections and the defensive line duo of Raydarius Freeman and Jamae Blank are wrecking machines, they are No. 1-2 in the conference with 14 and 12.5 tackles for a loss, respectively. The four Hawks will need to be on their A-games against the Bulldogs and the top passing attack. Bowie State quarterback Dion Golatt Jr. leads the conference with 1929 yards passing, 13 touchdowns, and a 65% completion percentage. He has three legit weapons in receivers Keshane Hinckley, Kwincy Hall, and Morgan Scroggins. Hinckley leads the league with 45 receptions and he has 543 yards and three touchdowns. Hall is third with 32 catches for 339 yards and three touchdowns and Scroggins ranks fourth with 384 yards on 25 catches, plus three scores. This contest may very well depend on which quartet performs better Saturday.
Virginia State (4-3; 3-2 CIAA) at Elizabeth City State (2-5; 2-3 CIAA), 2 P.M.
These two schools are trending in different directions as the Vikings won an exciting 21-19 game against Lincoln (PA) and the Trojans have dropped two straight in division action to knock themselves out of contention for the championship. Surely, Virginia State looks to stop its skid Saturday and the numbers align well in its favor. The Trojans have the second-best rushing attack in the conference with 197 yards per game and the Vikings have allowed a conference-high 22 rushing touchdowns and are third-worst in rushing yards allowed (176 a game). In the past two weeks, VSU's Darius Hagans has rushed for his two lowest totals in conference action but he is still second in the CIAA with 687 yards and four touchdowns. The Trojans are more than a one-man show, however. VSU quarterback Jordan Davis nearly engineered the comeback last week against Chowan by completing 24 passes and throwing for 301 yards and two touchdowns, all season-highs. For the Vikings, they look to continue their winning ways behind the play of freshman quarterback Chase Williams and his main target, Zion Riddick. Williams passed for 219 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions in last week's win and Riddick had five receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Juanya' Majette is the lifeblood on the Vikings' defense while the Trojans have multiple defensive playmakers such as Willie Drew (conference-leading five interceptions) and Miqueal Pillow-Smiley, who has 8.5 tackles for a loss and four sacks in the past four games.
All CIAA games are available for purchase on the CIAA Sports Network.