CHARLOTTE, N.C. - After a bevy of exciting week 0 matchups to kick off the 2024 season, week 1 will see 10 CIAA institutions take the field, each competing in non-conference competition. Let’s take a look at what’s on the docket for the upcoming slate.
Winston-Salem State vs. North Carolina A&T
After a huge 34-3 victory in week zero, Winston-Salem State hits the road once more for an in-state matchup with North Carolina A&T. The Rams will face off with the Aggies for the first time in program history and will look to take advantage of the Aggies’ slow start, as they took on a power-5 school in Wake Forest last week, falling 45-13. The Rams displayed a nice offensive balance last week, throwing for 163 yards while rushing for another 139.
Elizabeth City State vs. Chowan
After falling to Shaw in week zero, Elizabeth City State will take on Chowan this Saturday to commence the home portion of their schedule. The Vikings will take on the Hawks for the 14th time in program history, holding an 8-5 advantage in the series. Last time these two teams faced off, Chowan took care of business with a 54-8 home victory over ECSU.
Bluefield State vs. Concord University
Newly appointed head coach Davon Morgan will look to grab his first victory as head coach of the Big Blue this weekend, as he and his squad head to Athens, West Virginia to take on Concord University. Last week, Bluefield State was bested by Winston-Salem State, 34-3 but will look to bounce back against the Mountain Lions. This meeting marks the first-ever between the two teams.
Bowie State vs. Lenoir-Rhyne
Bowie State will kick off their portion of the 2024 season this weekend, as they head south for a non-conference matchup with Lenoir-Rhyne. The Bulldogs will look to continue the momentum they gained late last season, as they were victorious in each of their final three games. The task will prove tall for Bowie State, as the Bears boasted a 13-2 record last season which included a 48-7 victory in the conference championship. The two teams have only faced off once back in 2021, which saw the Bulldogs win in dominating fashion, 31-10.
Johnson C. Smith vs. Morehouse College
The Golden Bulls will look to continue its offensive dominance in week 0, as they travel south to take on Morehouse this weekend. Last week, JCSU’s ground game proved formidable as they ran to the tune of 229 total yards and found the endzone once in their 21-13 victory over Tuskegee in the Boeing Red Tails Classic. The two teams have faced off once in program history; an exciting back-and-forth contest back in 2015 that saw the Maroon Tigers narrowly defeat the Golden Bulls, 37-35.
Virginia State vs. Norfolk State
Virginia State took the field for a nationally televised contest against Benedict College last week, competing in the Black College Hall of Fame Game and continued right where they left off from last season, as they took down the Tigers, 23-7. The rematch of the two teams is one that will garner a lot of viewers as last season’s matchup between the current and former CIAA programs came down to the final play which saw the Trojans take advantage of a poor snap on a game-tying field goal attempt by the Spartans and take it 77 yards to the house, claiming a 33-24 victory. The competition marks their eighth meeting since Norfolk State transitioned to Division I, with the Spartans holding a 5-2 advantage.
Virginia Union vs. Hampton
Virginia Union heads to Hampton for the third time in the last five seasons. The Panthers are coming off a 69-7 beatdown of Kentucky State University, which saw them set a school record for total yards in a single game, totaling 674. Hampton are no strangers to CIAA competition, as they previously served as a CIAA-member institution up until 1995. The winner of this game will hold the advantage in the series since Hampton transitioned to Division I, as it’s currently tied 1-1 with Hampton having won the last matchup in 2021, 42-28. Virginia Union’s VP for Athletics is no stranger to either institution, as he enjoyed coaching stints with both programs, having coached the Panthers from 1984-1991, and coached the Pirates from 1992-2007.
Shaw vs. Albany State
After opening the season with a home victory, Shaw takes the field yet again as they head down south for a Saturday night matchup with Albany State. The Bear’s balanced offensive attack combined with three forced turnovers impressed in week 0 and they’ll look to improve to 2-0 against an 0-1 Golden Rams squad who suffered a 42-10 loss to Valdosta State last weekend.
Fayetteville State vs. UNC Pembroke
Last season’s runner-up Fayetteville State are set to kick off their portion of the 2024 season this Saturday as they play host to UNC Pembroke. The Broncos will look to exact revenge on the Braves, as the two teams are no strangers to each other. They’ve faced off 10 times in program history, with UNCP holding a 9-1 advantage over FSU. Last season, the Broncos commenced their season at UNC Pembroke and suffered a heart-breaking loss, as the Braves kicked a game-winning field goal with nine seconds remaining to clinch the victory.
Livingstone vs. Virginia-Lynchburg
The Blue Bears are home for the second game of a three-game home stretch to begin the 2024 season, playing host to Virginia-Lynchburg this weekend. Last week, Livingstone faced the tall task of taking on the University of Charleston, falling to the Golden Eagles, 38-7. They’ll look to get back on track against the Dragons who suffered a large defeat last weekend to Wagner, 46-7. The two teams met once in 2014, with Livingstone earning a dominating 60-12 victory.