CHARLOTTE, N.C. - CIAA football returned to action this past Saturday, as nine teams competed in hopes of grabbing a week two victory. Four teams found themselves in the win column, highlighted by Johnson C. Smith University who improved to 3-0 and are currently the only undefeated team in the conference. Here’s how things played out this weekend.
Winston-Salem State def. Ohio Dominican, 19-13
Winston-Salem State hosted their first home game of the season and gave the crowd an exciting home-opener. After a 13-13 tie led the game to overtime, Winston-Salem State gained possession to commence the overtime period and marched right down the field and capped the drive with a game-winning three-yard touchdown rush to seal their second victory of the season.
Emory & Henry def. Bluefield State, 40-13
After a week one victory, Bluefield State was on the road again seeking their second-consecutive victory. The Big Blue connected on a 17-yard touchdown pass to take an early 7-0 lead but would struggle from thereon out, as the Wasps responded with 19 unanswered points and wouldn’t look back from there, beating Bluefield State 40-13.
Davenport def. Bowie State, 17-14
Coming off a week one loss, Bowie State hosted their first home game of the season, taking on Davenport University. Despite registering more yards through the air and nearly matching the Panthers on the ground, the Bulldogs fell, 17-14.
Johnson C. Smith def. Lincoln (PA), 52-6
Coming into the week 2-0, Johnson C. Smith took on Lincoln (PA) in hopes of becoming 3-0. They got exactly what they wished for in grand fashion, as they took down the Lions, 52-6. They managed 296 yards through the air and added another 173 on the ground en route to the big win. Their 3-0 start is the program’s best start in over 10 years, not having started 3-0 since 2013. They are currently the conference’s lone undefeated team.
Elizabeth City State def. Erskine, 20-0
Elizabeth City State connected on all cylinders Saturday evening, shutting out Erskine en route to a 20-0 victory. The game remained scoreless heading into the fourth quarter, but two touchdown passes followed with a score on the ground led the Vikings to their second win in as many weeks.
Livingstone def. Allen (S.C.), 23-21
Livingstone found themselves in the win column for a second consecutive week after taking down Allen University, 23-21. The Blue Bears trailed 14-10 heading into the final quarter but really got going late, as a 14-yard pass one minute into the fourth quarter put them ahead, 17-14. They added two more field goals late to help secure their second victory of the season.
Catawba def. Shaw, 37-28
Shaw and Catawba had a high-scoring affair this past weekend, which Catawba coming out on top, 37-28. Shaw’s high-scoring offense was on display yet again, however their defense struggled throughout, leading to the Bears’ first loss of the season. The game was knotted at 21 going into halftime but a second-half surge by Catawba led to the victory.
Valdosta State def. Fayetteville State, 34-0
The Broncos were on the road for the first time this season, as they fell to Valdosta State, 34-0. Valdosta State exploded for 24 first-half points and added another 10 in the second half while holding Fayetteville State scoreless throughout.
Next week's schedule will see 10 teams take the field in week three of the 2024 football season.
WEEKLY HONORS
Below are the weekly honors:
NAME: Darius Ocean
POSITION: Quarterback
CLASS: Junior
HOMETOWN: Raleigh, N.C.
Ocean threw one touchdown for 296 yards on 20 completions. His longest was 46 yards.
NAME: Trevon Hester
POSITION: Running Back
CLASS: Junior
HOMETOWN: Greensboro, N.C.
Trevon came in clutch for the Rams on Saturday against Ohio Dominican. On 15 rushing attempts, Hester rushed for 50 yards. He also had the game-winning 3-yard rushing touchdown to secure the 19-13 overtime victory.
NAME: Ah'shaan Belcher
POSITION: Wide Receiver
CLASS: R-Senior
HOMETOWN: Jamesville, N.C.
Belcher finished Saturday with just four catches but two of those being touchdowns to go along with a two-point conversion. His second score in the fourth quarter made him Shaw's all-time career leader in touchdown receptions.
NAME: Kyle Estep
POSITION: Offensive Lineman
CLASS: Sophomore
HOMETOWN: Bowie, MD.
Estep helped the Golden Bulls with 496 total yards, in JCSU's win over Lincoln (PA).
NAME: Davion Watkins
POSITION: Defensive Lineman
CLASS: Freshman
HOMETOWN: Apopka, FL.
This week, Davion registered four solo tackles, all of which were tackles for loss. He added two sacks and a 22-yard fumble recovery in the Blue Bears' win over Allen (S.C.).
NAME: Jameson Alston
POSITION: Linebacker
CLASS: Junior
HOMETOWN: Fayetteville State, N.C.
"Jupe" came up huge for the Rams defense helping them secure a 19-13 overtime victory against Ohio Dominican. He recorded 10 total tackles, seven solo, and also recorded three assists, 1.0 tackle for loss for 14 yards, a sack for 14 yards, one quarterback hurry, and an interception for 45 yards.
NAME: D'Andre Tolson
POSITION: Defensive Back
CLASS: Sophomore
HOMETOWN: Elizabeth City, N.C.
Tolson had 3 BPU's vs Erskine… Is one of the nation's leader in BPU's w/ 7 in 3 games
NAME: Ja'Qun Wilkins
POSITION: Defensive Back
CLASS: Junior
HOMETOWN: Spartanburg, S.C.
Wilkins returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown for 89 yards and totaled two returns for 104 total yards.
NAME: Damarcus Creecy
POSITION: Quarterback
CLASS: Freshman
HOMETOWN: Daytona Beach, FL.
Creecy went 13-22 for 186 and 2 TD's w/ a long of 46 yds. also had 16 rushing yards in the shutout win over Erskine