Charlotte, N.C. - Week seven of the CIAA football season saw a lot offenses thrive, as four teams eclipsed 31+ points, with two of those scoring an astounding 50+ points. Of the week’s notable matchups, the highlights included Johnson C. Smith remaining undefeated and Winston-Salem State defeating Livingstone to overtake third place in the conference.  

Bowie State def. Bluefield State, 54-0 
Bowie State took on Bluefield State on HBCUGO this past weekend and the Bulldogs on all three phases, as they held the Big Blue to just 58 total yards of offense en route to a 54-0 shutout victory. The Bulldogs displayed a well-balanced offense, with 247 passing yards and 264 rushing yards.  

Johnson C. Smith def. Shaw, 21-14 
The lone undefeated team were tested on the road this season, as Johnson C. Smith headed to Shaw. The Bears struck first and took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, but the Golden Bulls quickly responded and tied the game, a score that held heading into halftime. An eight-yard touchdown pass helped JCSU gain a 14-7 lead, and another TD pass in the fourth quarter extended the lead to 14. Shaw were able to find the endzone once more but were held scoreless after that, as Johnson C. Smith held on to improve to 7-0.  

Virginia Union def. Lincoln (PA), 63-12 
Virginia Union eclipsed 60+ points for the second time this season as they defeated Lincoln (PA), 63-12. The Panthers fell just four yards short of 650 yards and found the endzone nine times to win their fourth consecutive game and improve to 5-2 and remain second CIAA standings. 

Virginia State def. Elizabeth City State, 36-7 
Virginia State found themselves in the win column for a second straight week, as they dominated Elizabeth City State from start to finish en route to a 29-point victory. The Trojans took a 13-point lead into halftime and were able to get to 27 unanswered points before ECSU found the endzone. They’d add a fifth touchdown in the fourth quarter.  

Winston-Salem State def. Livingstone, 31-17 
In a game that had huge championship implications, Livingstone played host to Winston-Salem State, a big conference rivalry. The Rams were hot out the gate, putting up 17 points in the first half and carrying a 10-point lead heading into the break. The Blue Bears added three points early in the first half to cut the deficit, but WSSU responded with 14 unanswered points en route to their sixth victory of the season. With the win, the Rams move up to third in the conference standings. 

Next week's schedule will see 10 teams take the field in week eight of the 2024 football season, with Livingstone enjoying their bye week. 

WEEKLY HONORS
Below are the weekly honors:


NAME: Kevin Taylor
POSITION: Quarterback
CLASS: Freshman
HOMETOWN: Waldorf, MD. 

Quarterback Kevin Taylor led Bowie State's offense in the 54-0 victory against Bluefield State. Taylor posted a completed 17 passes for a career-high (73.9%) completion rate totaling 189 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Taylor also showed his mobility, adding 46 rushing yards on seven carries. 


NAME: Micah Robinson
POSITION: Running Back
CLASS: Sophomore
HOMETOWN: Baltimore, MD.

Sophomore running back Micah Robinson had a career day in the Bulldogs' 54-0 victory against Big Blue. Robinson tallied 147 all-purpose yards (89 rushing yards, 58 receiving yards) and three total touchdowns (two receiving, one rushing).


NAME: Reginald Vick, Jr.
POSITION: Wide Receiver
CLASS: R-Sophomore
HOMETOWN: Wendell, N.C.

Virginia Union University's Reginald Vick, Jr., caught four passes for three touchdowns in VUU's 63-12 win over Lincoln University on Saturday.



NAME: Bruno Onwuazor
POSITION: Offensive Lineman
CLASS: Junior
HOMETOWN: Bladensburg, MD.

Bruno dominated today and led the way on the offensive line that helped an offense amass 528 yards on just 60 plays with 297 on the ground and 231 through the air.  He graded out with 96% with 4 knock downs. 


NAME: Jayshaun Alston
POSITION: Defensive End
CLASS: Junior
HOMETOWN: Norfolk, VA. 

Jayshaun had a record day leading a very stingy defense for the Trojans.  VSU only yielded 105 yards of total offense to ECSU on 63 plays for an average of 1.7 yards per play, with 11 sacks, minus -47 yards rushing and 16 tackles for loss! Jayshaun led VSU with 6 tackles, 4 sacks, and 4 tackles for loss. 


NAME: Quewon Hilliard
POSITION: Linebacker
CLASS: R-Freshman
HOMETOWN: Fayetteville, N.C.

Hilliard finished with 11 total tackles (7 solo) with one tackle for loss in the Bears game against JCSU holding the number one offense in the CIAA to just 325 total yards of offense including just 60 yards rushing.


NAME: LaVonte Gater
POSITION: Cornerback
CLASS: Graduate
HOMETOWN: Palmer Park, MD.

LaVonte had his breakout game for the Trojans recording 2 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble for a Trojan defense that held the Vikings to 105 total yards—an average of 1.7 per play, with 11 sacks, minus -47 yards rushing, and 16 tackles for loss. 


NAME: Justin Zavala
POSITION: Punter
CLASS: Senior
HOMETOWN: Bowie, MD.

Punter Justin Zavala was booked and busy during Bowie State's 54-0 victory against Bluefield State. Zavala had three punts total for 127 yards, with all three punts being inside the 20-yard line. He also had nine kickoffs for 491 yards, averaging 54.6 yards on each kickoff. 


NAME: Jayden Earley
POSITION: Safety
CLASS: Sophomore
HOMETOWN: Hampton, VA.

VUU's Jayden Earley had three tackles and a pass breakup as VUU defeated Lincoln University 63-12 on Saturday, October 19, in Lincoln University, Pa.