2022 CIAA Football Standings
2022 CIAA Football Composite Schedule
2022 Statistics
CHARLOTTE - The season is shaping up as we head into Week 4 and with another set of conference matchups, let's have a preview of what's to come on Satuday, September 24:
Lincoln (1-2; 0-1 CIAA) at Johnson C. Smith (0-2; 0-1 CIAA), 12 P.M.
Both teams are looking for their first conference victory after tough losses last week and have differing philosophies on how to get the win. Lincoln (PA) is led by its top defense while the Golden Bulls boast the top offense and best passing attack in the conference. JCSU's Tyrell Jackson has topped 315 yards passing in each game. Despite playing one less game than his peers, wide receiver Brevin Caldwell's 17 catches and four touchdowns leads the conference and his 262 yards receiving rank second in the league. Tasked with stopping Caldwell and Jackson are Lincoln's Kai Gray (25 tackles, six pass breakups) and Eric Best (13 tackles, two pass breakups). Alternatively, a path to victory for the Lions rests in the running game from Amir Gerald (18 carries for 161 yards) and Isaiah Freeman (28 carries for 142 yards). Sharod Simmons leads the Golden Bulls with 16 tackles, plus an interception.
Bowie State (1-2; 0-1 CIAA) at Saint Augustine's (0-3; 0-1 CIAA), 1 P.M.
Bowie State, which is coming off a tough loss on the road and is looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat, goes up against a Saint Augustine squad that is tied for ninth in the conference in points per game and last in scoring defense. The Bulldogs are buoyed by their second-ranked passing attack. Dion Golatt Jr. has passed for 815 yards and six touchdowns while completing over 61 percent of his passes through three games. The receiving duo of Keshane Hinckley and Kwincy Hall, who have combined for 31 catches and 335 yards, might be the best 1-2 punch at receiver in the conference. The Falcons' offense revolves around Christopher Perkins, who's the team leading passer and rusher after passing for 532 yards and four touchdowns and rushing for 78 and a score. Perkins will have his hands full against a Bulldogs defense that has combined for 24 tackles for a loss through three games, spearheaded by leading tackler Joshua Pryor (19 tackles and 2.5 stops for a loss) and Shaun Tolbert (13 tackles and 3.5 for a loss). The Falcons' Lee Sales has a team-high 22 tackles.
#20 Virginia Union (3-0; 1-0 CIAA) at Fayetteville State (2-1; 1-0 CIAA), 4 P.M. TELEVISED GAME
All eyes are on this premier matchup between the three-time defending CIAA Southern Division champion and the nationally-ranked Panthers. This game also features the top scoring offense in all of Division II (VUU) versus the top scoring defense in the conference (FSU). The Panthers are averaging a whopping 54.7 points per game while running back Jada Byers leads the nation with 616 rushing yards, plus eight total touchdowns. It's not just the "Byers Show" as dual threat quarterback Jahkari Grant has passed for 459 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 124 yards and a score. However, the Broncos are giving up less than 14 points per game so far, highlighted by leading tackler Devin Cowan, who also leads the conference with 5.5 stops for a loss. Cowan, Khalid Martin (16 tackles), and Brian Grier (14 tackles and 3 for a loss) will be tantamount to stopping Byers, although admittedly, it will probably take a full 11-man effort. Alternatively, Fayetteville State still needs to score points and the 12.3 points per game will definitely not be enough against the Panthers. The Broncos really need K'Hari Lane to turn back the clock to 2021, when he threw for 2204 yards, completed 65 percent of his passes, and scored 23 total touchdowns to just five interceptions, which earned him preseason all-conference honors this season. The Panthers' Ephraim Moore will look to make life tough for Lane as the cornerback leads the team with 24 tackles and three pass breakups.
Virginia State (2-1; 1-0 CIAA) at Livingstone (1-2; 0-1 CIAA), 4 P.M.
Virginia State is one of top two teams (Virginia Union) that feature a top five scoring defense and offense in the CIAA and the Trojans take that balance on the road to Livingstone. While Livingstone boasts the best passing defense in the league, Virginia State utilize a stellar run game that averages 225 yards per game. The Trojans' Darius Hagans is second in the conference with 491 rushing yards, which also good for 10th in Division II and he has a favorable matchup against a Blue Bears team that surrenders over 220 yards on the ground. For Livingstone to take this game, the defensive combo of Jaden Echols (22 tackles and 2.5 for a loss) and Mekhi Dunlap (14 tackles and 3.5 for a loss) will have to limit Hagans and Livingstone will also need a great game from quarterback Silas Cruise. In the first game of the season, the freshman threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns and he completed over 60 percent of his passes against Virginia Union last week. His top receiver is Lasirton Bryant with 17 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Challenging Cruise and Bryant will be Willie Drew and Rodney Jones, who each have a pair of interceptions this year.
Winston-Salem State (0-3; 0-1 CIAA) at Chowan (1-2; 1-0 CIAA), 6 P.M.
Chowan enters Saturday with a win thanks to its second-best scoring defense in the league, which offsets its league-worst scoring offense. Meanwhile, Winston-Salem State has found success in the trenches, having a top-five rushing attack and rushing defense. The Rams' Asa Barnes is third in the conference with 215 rushing yards but he will go up against the Chowan machines Montre Moore, who leads the conference with 38 tackles (including 4.5 for a loss) and Jamae Blank with 23 tackles (3.5 for a loss). The Hawks are looking to recapture last week's magic after Caleb Pierce completed 14-of-18 passes, threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns and tossed the game-winning touchdown with nine seconds left in only his first collegiate game. The Rams' Justin Fleming (15 tackles and a conference-high three interceptions) and Deiontae Jones (15 tackles and one pick) will look to keep Pierce from earning another CIAA Rookie of the Week honor and win.
All CIAA games are available for purchase on the CIAA Sports Network.