CHARLOTTE, NC – We’re heading into Week #4 and the second week of league play. Here’s a snapshot of what’s on tap this Saturday and Sunday:
 
Johnson C. Smith (2-1 / 1-0 CIAA) at Lincoln (PA) (1-2 / 0-1 CIAA), 1 PM    LIVE STATS
The first thing to note about the Johnson C. Smith at Lincoln (PA) football game this Saturday is the new kickoff time of 1 p.m. Johnson C. Smith began conference play at home last Saturday (9/16) hosting Bluefield State and in the end, JCSU’s Golden Bulls defeated the Big Blue of Bluefield State by a score of 30-13. Lincoln (PA) dropped a tough 20-17 decision on the road at Fayetteville State following a 40-yard Broncos field goal as time expired in a back-and-forth contest. Johnson C. Smith ranks first in the conference in defense, allowing just 11.0 points per game and 3rd overall in scoring at 29.3 points per game. The Lincoln (PA) Lions rank 4th in conference scoring (28.3) but 9^th in defense, giving up 27.3 points per game.

 
Saint Augustine’s (0-3 / 0-1 CIAA) at Bowie State (2-1 / 1-0 CIAA), 1 PM    LIVE STATS

Bowie State will look to make it two wins in a row this weekend as the Bulldogs host the Saint Augustine’s Falcons. Saturday's game will mark the eighth meeting between St. Augustine's and Bowie State since 2002. The Bulldogs own a 5-2 all-time record against the Falcons dating back to the first meeting which was held in Raleigh, N.C. on Sept. 21 - 21 years ago by the score of 34-2. At Bulldog Stadium, BSU is 2-1 against the Falcons and have won the last three outings over SAU including last year's 36-20 road victory. It has been a tough start to the 2023 season for the Falcons of St. Augustine's as they have dropped each of its first three contests. In its season opener, SAU was handed a 45-7 setback at the hands of nationally ranked Lenoir-Rhyne. A week later, Elizabeth City State outscored the Falcons 13-0 in the Down East Football Classic, followed by a 55-15 loss to Virginia State in its home opener last weekend to drop to 0-3. SAU has struggled offensively and will have a tough test against BSU's defense. The Falcons have scored just 19 points in its three games and have averaged just 125 yards of total offense. The defense for St. Augustine's ranks 11th overall in the CIAA, allowing 37.7 points per game.

 
Fayetteville State (1-2 / 1-0 CIAA) at Virginia Union (3-0 / 1-0 CIAA), 6 P.M.    LIVE STATS
Fayetteville State will make a trip to Richmond (VA) to take on the unbeaten Panthers of Virginia Union under the lights and in front of a nationally televised (HBCU GO TV) audience. Fayetteville State acquired its first victory of the season last Saturday night after Jacob Meneses connected on a 40-yard field goal that put the Broncos ahead 20-17 over Lincoln Pa. as time expired. Nationally ranked Virginia Union spotted the Livingstone Blue Bears a 13-0 first quarter advantage before responding with 28 unanswered points in quarters two and three and held on in the end to capture a 28-20 road win to remain undefeated. The VUU Panthers enter this weekend’s contest as the league leader in total offense (411.3 yards per game) and ranked second in the conference in scoring at 33.0 points per game. The defending champions of Fayetteville State are averaging 15.7 points per game and rank 6^th in CIAA total offense averaging 309.7 yards per game.
 

Livingstone (0-3 / 0-1 CIAA) at Virginia State (3-0 / 1-0 CIAA), 6 P.M.    LIVE STATS               LISTEN
The Livingstone at Virginia State game will truly be a matchup of polar opposites. The Livingstone Blue Bears played probably their best game of the season last Saturday, coming up just short to visiting Virginia Union by a score of 28-20. Livingstone quarterback torched the VUU defense with a game-high 314 passing yards, completing 17-of-26 passes, scored three touchdowns but was intercepted four times in the setback. Angel Carrillo led all receivers with 147 reception yards on five receptions (longest of 79) and Matthew Henery posted a game-high nine receptions for 117 yards. Virginia State’s Trojans started slow on the road at Saint Augustine’s but went full throttle enroute to a 55-12 whipping over the Falcons. Virginia States rolled up 390 yards of total offense (192 passing and 198 rushing) while holding the SAU Falcons to 180 yards of total offense (120 passing and 60 rushing). VSU’s Steve Williams completed 18-of-34 passes and scored two touchdowns with OBJ Lightbourne was the games’ leading ground gainer with 75 rushing yards. Virginia State’s Roy Jackson III led all receivers with 73 reception yards on three receptions.


Bluefield State (1-2 / 0-1 CIAA) at Winston-Salem State (1-2 / 1-0 CIAA), 6 P.M.   LIVE STATS          LISTEN
Bluefield State dropped their second straight game of the season last Saturday, falling 30-13 on the road at Johnson C. Smith while Winston-Salem State cruised to a 24-7 home opening victory against Elizabeth City State. Winston-Salem State and Bluefield State rank 7^th and 8^th respectively in total offense. WSSU is averaging 286.7 yards compared to 278.0 for the Big Blue. Through three games, Bluefield State averages 22.7 points per game compared to Winston-Salem State’s 19.7. BSU’s Jai’que Hart ranks 4^th in league passing (201.0) and WSSU’s Daylin Lee is right behind him, averaging 199.7 passing yards per game. In terms of total offense, the Big Blue and Rams are pretty even as WSSU is averaging 286.7 yards per game compared to BSU with 278.0 yards per game average.


Shaw (0-3 / 0-1 CIAA) at Elizabeth City State (1-2. 0-1 CIAA), Sunday at 1 P.M.   LIVE STATS
Both Shaw and Elizabeth City State are looking to earn a victory in Week #4 after dropping road games last Saturday. The Shaw Bears fell 21-7 at Bowie State to open conference play and Elizabeth City State came up on the losing end at Winston-Salem State, falling 24-7 to the Rams. So far this season, Shaw is having a tough time putting points on the scoreboard as the Bears are averaging just 6.7 points per game. The Shaw Bears defense is also struggling, allowing opposing teams to score a 33.0 points per game clip. Through three games this season, the ECSU Vikings average 14.3 points per game and allow 18.3 points per game. The ECSU Vikings were led on offense by Chase Williams with a game-high 142 passing yards. Quinzel Lockhart hauled in a game-high nine receptions for the Vikings for a game-high 121 yards and one touchdown. Shaw was led offensively by Silas Cruse with a game-high 153 passing yards and Elijah Adams paced the Shaw defense with 7.5 tackles.