CHARLOTTE, NC (October 10, 2025) - The season reaches its midway point, and teams are gearing up to make some serious second-half noise on the road to the championship. Here’s a glimpse at the action coming in Week 6.
Fans can catch most of Saturday’s games live on the CIAA Sports Network while the rivalry showdown between Bowie State and Virginia State will be featured nationally on HBCU GO. You can also find the latest updated CIAA football standings here.
Elizabeth City State (1-4) vs. No. 17 Virginia Union (4-1) - 1:00 P.M.
Reigning champion Virginia Union looks primed for another title run as they enter Week Six 2-0 in conference play and are powered by one of the top rushing attacks in all of Division II. The Panthers are led by Curtis Allen, who currently leads the nation in rushing yards with 967 through five games, and an offense that ranks sixth nationally in scoring, averaging 42.8 points per game. With balance, depth, and physicality on both sides of the ball, Virginia Union has shown why they remain one of the most feared programs in the CIAA. Their win last week helped them climb to 17 in the national rankings.
The Panthers are coming off a statement 10-point victory over Winston-Salem State, a game in which they rushed for more yards than the Rams totaled offensively. That dominant ground performance once again highlighted Virginia Union’s offensive identity; a relentless run game that wears down defenses and controls tempo. Their combination of offensive firepower and defensive discipline has made them a tough matchup for any opponent, and they’ll look to continue that trend on the road this weekend.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth City State is coming off its first win of the season, an impressive 39-point outburst against Livingstone. Quarterback Christopher Perkins, the CIAA Quarterback of the Week, delivered a career performance, throwing for 216 yards and four touchdowns while adding 128 rushing yards and a score on the ground for a total of five touchdowns. The Vikings will need that same level of production to challenge the defending champions and build on last week’s momentum. These two programs share a long history of competition, having met 19 times in the last 20 years, but Virginia Union has controlled the series in recent years, winning each of the last seven matchups.
Fayetteville State (3-3) vs. Livingstone (3-2) – 1:30 P.M.
Fayetteville State and Livingstone meet in Week Six for a pivotal CIAA matchup, with both teams aiming to solidify their positions in the conference standings. The Broncos have rebounded impressively after a 0-3 start to the season, winning three straight conference games and now sitting alone atop the CIAA with a 3-0 conference record following a dominant 28-point victory over Bowie State last week. With momentum on their side, Fayetteville State will aim to extend their winning streak and continue their climb toward a potential championship run.
Fayetteville State’s success has been fueled by quarterback Demari Daniels, one of the CIAA’s top dual-threat signal-callers, who has thrown for 825 yards and added 240 rushing yards, giving him over 1,000 total yards and nine touchdowns on the season. The Broncos also feature a strong defensive front, led by linemen Kaydin Thomas and Shawn Robinson, who each have four sacks, tied for third in the conference. Livingstone counters with Kenyon Garner, the conference’s sack leader with seven, and standout receiver Tavion Jackson, who ranks second in the CIAA with 323 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Historically, Fayetteville State has dominated the matchup, winning 13 of the 15 all-time meetings. However, Livingstone broke a seven-game losing streak last season with a 24–19 victory, their first over the Broncos since 2014. The Blue Bears will look to build on that momentum, while Fayetteville State aims to reassert control and continue its winning ways in this crucial conference contest.
Bowie State (1-4) vs. Virginia State (2-3) – 1:00 P.M. | Featured on HBCU GO
One of the CIAA’s most tradition-rich rivalries takes center stage this weekend as Bowie State and Virginia State square off live on HBCU GO, giving fans nationwide a front-row seat to a pivotal matchup between two programs hungry for their first conference victory of the season. Both teams enter Week Six looking to rebound from 0-2 starts in CIAA play and reignite their championship aspirations.
Virginia State’s offense has shown plenty of firepower early in the season, scoring 31 or more points in three of their five games. The Trojans are led by wide receiver Malik Hunter, the CIAA’s leading receiver with 328 yards and two touchdowns. With a balanced attack and the ability to strike quickly through the air, Virginia State will look to get back on track and build momentum in front of a national audience.
On the other side, Bowie State is determined to snap a four-game skid after opening the year with a win. The Bulldogs boast one of the CIAA’s most balanced offenses, featuring a top-five rusher and receiver in total yardage, supported by a defense anchored by Samuel Graham, one of the nation’s premier defensive backs and a multiple-time CIAA Defensive Back of the Week honoree. Bowie State will lean on its playmakers to make a statement on the national stage.
Historically, Virginia State holds a 9–6 edge in the series, including victories in each of the last two meetings, setting the stage for another chapter in one of the CIAA’s most competitive rivalries, this time under the spotlight of HBCU GO.
Shaw (1-4) vs. Winston-Salem State (3-3) - 1:00 P.M.
Both Winston-Salem State and Shaw will look to bounce back in Week Six after tough losses in Week Five, despite each team putting up over 30 points. With both programs sitting at 1-2 in CIAA play, this matchup carries extra weight as each side looks to climb back to the .500 mark and stay in the hunt for championship contention. Expect plenty of offense once again, as both teams have shown the ability to light up the scoreboard this season.
Winston-Salem State’s high-powered attack is led by quarterback Daylin Lee, who currently leads the CIAA in touchdown passes with 17, and wide receiver Davontay Deloatch, who tops the conference in receiving touchdowns with six. The Rams have also been road warriors this season, boasting a perfect 2-0 record away from home, and will aim to keep that streak alive as they travel to Raleigh. With an explosive passing game and momentum to regain, the Rams will look to reassert their offensive dominance.
Shaw, meanwhile, has shown plenty of firepower of its own, scoring 33 or more points in two of the last three games. On the defensive side, the Bears are anchored by defensive back Darry Felix, who ranks second in the CIAA in tackles, and defensive back Jaden Perkins, who sits second in the conference in interceptions. Shaw will rely on that defensive duo to contain WSSU’s dynamic offense and seize a crucial home win. History favors the Rams as Winston-Salem State holds a heavy advantage in the all-time series and has won each of the last three matchups.
Bluefield State (2-3) vs. Lincoln (PA) (0-5) - 1:00 P.M.
Bluefield State and Lincoln (PA) face off this week in a pivotal CIAA matchup, with both teams looking to start the second half of the season on the right foot. Bluefield State found themselves back in the win column last week with an exciting 35-33 victory over Shaw. The Big Blue came out firing, scoring touchdowns on offense, defense, and special teams, all in the first quarter, to seize early control and capture their first conference win of the season, improving to 1-1 in CIAA play. The statement win showcased Bluefield State’s growth and energy on both sides of the ball as they continue to develop into a more complete team.
After winning just one game last season, Bluefield State has already doubled that total with the back half of the 2025 campaign still ahead. A key factor in their improvement has been the play of defensive standout Zaire Riley, who is tied for second in the conference in interceptions, including a pick-six on the first play of last week’s game against Shaw. With newfound confidence and momentum, the Big Blue will look to continue their upward trend and keep building on their early-season success.
Lincoln (PA) are coming off a bye and are still searching for its first win of the season, will look to change that narrative at home. Running back Kyrie Tyson has been a consistent bright spot for the Lions, averaging 62.7 rushing yards per game, good for fifth in the CIAA. Lincoln will aim to establish Tyson early and rely on their defense to contain Bluefield State’s explosive attack. Historically, the matchup has favored Lincoln, the Lions are 2-0 all-time against Bluefield State, and they’ll look to extend that streak while securing their first victory of 2025.
Week Six Storylines
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No. 17 Virginia Union looks to stay perfect in CIAA play and continue its national climb. The defending champions enter Week Six ranked No. 17 in Division II and boast the nation’s leading rusher in Curtis Allen, who has already surpassed 950 yards on the season. The Panthers’ dominant ground attack and top-10 scoring offense have made them a powerhouse once again as they chase a second straight conference title.
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Fayetteville State aims to extend its three-game win streak and remain atop the CIAA standings. The Broncos have surged after an 0-3 start, now sitting 3-0 in conference play behind the dual-threat leadership of quarterback Demari Daniels and a fierce defensive front. Livingstone, coming off a strong showing last week, will look to upset the momentum and leapfrog Fayetteville State in the standings.
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Winston-Salem State and Shaw battle for a return to .500 and to stay in championship contention. Both teams have shown offensive firepower, each scoring 30+ points in last week’s losses and entering this matchup at 1-2 in conference play. With WSSU quarterback Daylin Lee leading the CIAA in touchdown passes and Shaw’s defense featuring two of the league’s top defenders, this contest could turn into another high-scoring thriller.
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Virginia State and Bowie State seek their first CIAA victories in a rivalry showdown on HBCU Go. Both programs are eager to rebound after tough starts in conference play. Virginia State’s Malik Hunter leads the league in receiving, while Bowie State looks to end its four-game skid behind a balanced offense and an elite secondary anchored by standout defensive back Samuel Graham.
Conference Standings
Conference standings are determined by the results of each team’s final seven conference games. For institutions that play eight CIAA opponents during the regular season, only the last seven of those contests are included in their official conference record.
In some cases, a single game may be applied differently between two teams. For example, if Team A faces eight CIAA opponents, its first conference matchup will not count toward its record. However, if that same game falls within Team B’s final seven CIAA contests, the result will count toward Team B’s record in the standings.
This rule ensures competitive balance across the conference and consistency in determining championship eligibility. The implications are already evident midway through the season.
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Winston Salem State, Shaw, Virginia State, and Bowie State each sit at 1-2, battling to stay within reach of the top contenders.
As the season passes its midpoint, every remaining matchup carries added weight not only for win loss records but also for which games officially determine championship positioning in November.
CIAA Football Championship
The journey to the title will conclude at the 2025 CIAA Football Championship on Saturday, November 15 at Durham County Memorial Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets early and experience the excitement in person as the conference’s top two teams compete for the CIAA title. Tickets are now available and can be purchased here.
Media Contact:
Anna M. Butzlaff
Associate Commissioner, Strategic Communications
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
abutzlaff@theciaa.com
About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University.
For more information, visit theciaa.com and follow the CIAA on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.