CHARLOTTE, NC – This will be Week #9 of the CIAA Football season … Let’s take a look at what’s on tap this Saturday.

Fayetteville State (6-2 / 6-0 CIAA / 3-0 South) at Shaw (2-6 / 2-4 CIAA / 1-2 South) 1 PM   
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The defending champions of Fayetteville State look to mover one game closer or possibly even sealing a trip back to the CIAA title game with a victory this Saturday over Shaw. Should the FSU Broncos win and the WSSU Rams lose this weekend, Fayetteville State will represent the CIAA Southern Division in the title game in Salem (Va.) on November 11. The FSU Broncos and the SU Bears are relatively even in terms of scoring offense. Fayetteville State averages 14.1 points per game while Shaw averages 13.5 points per game. The biggest difference between the two teams is on the defensive side of the ball. Fayetteville State’s Broncos have allowed only 12.5 points per game compared to Shaw giving up 27.9 point per game.
  
#20 Virginia Union (7-1 / 5-1 CIAA / 3-0 North) at Bluefield State (1-7 / 0-6 CIAA / 0-3 North) 1 PM   
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The 20^th ranked Panthers of Virginia Union are on a serious roll, outscoring their last four opponents 198 to 30, which averages out to 49.5 points per game for VUU. Virginia Union leads the league in scoring (38.0 points per game) and ranks second overall in conference defense, allowing a modest 10.8 points per contest. Bluefield State on the other hand, has not tasted victory since the Big Blues season opener. Bluefield State ranks fifth in conference scoring (205 points per game) but are last in team defense, giving up a whopping 32.9 points per game. Virginia Union is led offensively by running back Jada Byers with 121.3 rushing yards per game and 12 touchdowns.


Elizabeth City State (2-6 / 1-5 CIAA / 1-2 North) at Bowie State (4-4 / 3-3 CIAA / 1-2 North) 1 PM 
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Elizabeth City State is coming off a huge win last Saturday, edging then No. 1 in the CIAA North Virginia State by a score of 16-15. This Saturday's game will mark the 40th meeting between Elizabeth City State and Bowie State in program history. The Bulldogs enter Saturday's game on a nine-game winning streak against ECSU, including a 36-29 win at Elizabeth City State last season. BSU is coming off a 40-11 road win over Bluefield State last weekend, picking up its first win in the Northern Division for 2023. The BSU Bulldogs are averaging 18.6 points per game compared to 15.0 points per game for the ECSU Vikings. ECSU’s Zechariah Adams-Duckson ranks second in CIAA rushing through eight games and an average of 83.3 yards per game. ECSU ranks ninth in the CIAA in scoring (15.0), while allowing 20.4 points from its opponents (5th in CIAA). The Vikings are top-5 in the league in rushing, averaging 145.6 yards per game (3rd in CIAA) but through the air, ECSU ranks ninth, posting 142.3 yards per outing.

Lincoln (PA) 4-4 / 3-3 CIAA / 2-1 North at Virginia State (7-1 / 5-1 CIAA / 2-1 North) 2 PM
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Lincoln (PA) has won three of the last four contests but was rocked last Saturday at nationally ranked Virginia Union by a score of 57-0. Virginia State saw its 8-game win streak come to an end last Saturday, falling short to visiting Elizabeth City State 17-16. The Virginia State Trojans rank second overall in conference offense, scoring 34.9 points per game. The Lincoln (PA) Lions feature the CIAA’s top passer (Isaiah Freeman) and top receiver (Malachi Langley). Freeman has completed 121-of-207 passes for 1,818 yards (20 TD’s), which averages put to 227.3 yards per game. Langley has recorded 799 reception yards with nine touchdowns and averages 23.5 yards per catch and 99.9 yards per game. Virginia State’s top offensive producer to date in running back Kymani Clarke with 73 rushing attempts for 467 yards and averages 77.8 yards per game.
 
Winston-Salem State (4-4 / 4-2 CIAA / 2-1 South) at Johnson C. Smith (5-3 / 4-2 CIAA / 1-2 South 2 PM   
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The Winston-Salem State at Johnson C. Smith contest could be a real battle on both sides of the ball. The Rams of Winston-Salem State have been up and down all season but have won their last two outings. Johnson C. Smith’s Golden Bulls have also been sort of up and down this season as well having one just one of three games so far in October. WSSU is fourth in CIAA offense (25.3 points per game) and ranks sixth in defense (21.3 points per game). JCSU is currently the CIAA’s top defensive team, allowing just 8.3 points per game. On offense, Johnson C. Smith ranks 9^th overall at 16.8 points per game. WSSU’s leaders on offense are Daylin Lee (180.1 passing yards per game) and RJ Mobley (64.4 reception yards per game. JCSU’s Benari Black leads the conference in tackles with 70 (8.8 per game) and Brevin Caldwell ranks fourth in conference receiving (60.8 yards per game.

Saint Augustine’s (0-8 / 0-6 CIAA / 0-3 South) at Livingstone (3-5 / 3-3 CIAA / 2-1 South) 4 PM  
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The Livingstone Blue Bears have probably been the biggest surprise team this season despite their 3-5 overall record. Livingstone are winners in three of its last four games which include a thrilling last-second Homecoming victory last Saturday. The Blue Bears rank 7^th in CIAA offense (17.1 points per game) but allow 30.1 points per game. Saint Augustine’s has struggled the entire season scoring points, putting just 56 total points on the scoreboard (7.0 per game) while allowing their opponents 215 points (26.9 points per game). Davant Deloatch is Livingstone’s top offensive producer with 25 receptions for 366 yards 4 TD’s) and averages 45.8 yards per game. St. Augustine’s Anthony Butler ranks 8^th in league passing, averaging 80.8 yards per contest. Livingstone’s Jaden Echols and St. Augustine’s Jamieson Alston rank second and third in CIAA tackles with 67 and 65 tackles respectively.


Here are the scenarios in case of a tiebreaker. If two or more teams in a division have the same winning percentage, the first tiebreaker is their divisional win percentage. If teams still have the same percentage after considering the divisional win percentage, the next tiebreaker is the result of head-to-head competition between the tied teams. Should the tie persist, the results against common conference opponents are compared, possibly considering point differentials.