CIAA Football Week 8 Recap: Bowie State Shakes Up Championship Race as Virginia Union Remains Unbeaten
Bulldogs stun Johnson C. Smith on Homecoming, Winston-Salem State wins second straight, and Virginia Union extends winning streak to seven games
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (October 26, 2026) — Week 8 of CIAA® football delivered a dramatic Homecoming upset, dominant offensive performances and another shakeup in the race toward the 2026 CIAA Football Championship.
Bowie State delivered one of the weekend's biggest surprises, defeating Johnson C. Smith 16-13 on a touchdown with just 34 seconds remaining. The victory handed the Golden Bulls their first conference loss and left Virginia Union and Virginia State as the only two programs undefeated in CIAA competition.
Virginia Union extended its winning streak to seven games with a commanding 49-6 Homecoming victory over Shaw, while Fayetteville State scored on offense, defense and special teams in a 51-13 win over Bluefield State.
Winston-Salem State continued its late-season turnaround with a second consecutive victory, defeating Lincoln (Pa.) 21-14, while Elizabeth City State held off Livingstone 34-26 in Salisbury.
Virginia State had a bye week.
WEEK 8 GAME RECAPS
Bowie State 16, Johnson C. Smith 13
Bowie State delivered one of the biggest upsets of Week 8, stunning previously undefeated conference contender Johnson C. Smith 16-13 on Saturday during the Bulldogs' 91st Homecoming celebration at Bulldog Stadium in Bowie, Maryland. The Bulldogs improved to 4-4 overall and 4-2 in CIAA play, while the Golden Bulls fell to 6-2 overall and 5-1 in conference competition. The victory snapped Johnson C. Smith's five-game winning streak and dealt the Golden Bulls their first conference loss of the season.
Trailing 13-9 late in the fourth quarter, Bowie State orchestrated a 13-play, 85-yard touchdown drive that culminated in quarterback Joshuah Keith connecting with John Thompson for a seven-yard touchdown with just 34 seconds remaining. Chris Gbakinro converted the extra point to give the Bulldogs a 16-13 advantage. Keith accounted for both Bowie State touchdowns, opening the scoring with a six-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter before delivering the game-winning pass.
Bowie State's defense proved instrumental in the victory, repeatedly turning away Johnson C. Smith scoring opportunities. Despite allowing 383 total yards and 25 first downs, the Bulldogs held the Golden Bulls to just 13 points, including two critical fourth-down stops deep in Bowie State territory. Aaron Anderson led the defensive effort with 14 tackles, while Ashton Mayeux added 10 tackles and a forced fumble. Davon Telp Jr. and Deontae Roscoe also contributed crucial tackles for loss during a third-quarter goal-line stand.
Johnson C. Smith quarterback Damien Mazil completed 18-of-29 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown, connecting with Brian Lane for a nine-yard score in the fourth quarter. Fabian Duncan led the rushing attack with 138 yards on 35 carries, while Lane finished with eight receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown. The Golden Bulls had an opportunity to force overtime on the final play, but a 50-yard field-goal attempt missed as time expired.
Up Next: Bowie State travels to Fayetteville State on Saturday, October 31, for a 1 p.m. kickoff in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Virginia Union 49, Shaw 6
Virginia Union continued its undefeated run through CIAA competition with a commanding 49-6 Homecoming victory over Shaw on Saturday at Hovey Field in Richmond, Virginia. The Panthers improved to 7-1 overall and 6-0 in conference play, remaining firmly in the championship race. Virginia Union scored in all four quarters, building a 35-0 halftime advantage while accumulating 417 yards of total offense.
Quarterback RJ Rosales delivered another impressive performance, completing 10-of-15 passes for 193 yards and four touchdowns. Rosales connected with Montrell Wright for two scores, including touchdown receptions of 27 and 41 yards. Wright finished with four receptions for 91 yards, while Ben Haulmark and Latrell Sutton also hauled in touchdown passes. Jerome Jones and Raphael Tucker contributed rushing touchdowns, while Myles Derricott connected with Lyvarius Gilbert for a 26-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Ramon Brown led the Panthers' rushing attack with 94 yards on 18 carries.
Defensively, Virginia Union limited Shaw to just 169 total yards, including 85 passing yards and 84 rushing yards. The Panthers recorded four sacks and two interceptions, with Derrick Burroughs and Quincy Jefferson each securing a takeaway. Ahmad Ross led the defensive effort with 10 tackles, including two tackles for loss, while Christian Aiken added a sack. Shaw managed its lone touchdown in the second half, but Virginia Union maintained control throughout the contest.
Up Next: Virginia Union faces Lincoln (Pa.) on Friday, October 30, at 7 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Shaw Faces Bluefield State University on Saturday, October 31, at 1:00 for Homecoming.
Fayetteville State 51, Bluefield State 13
Fayetteville State continued its late-season momentum with a commanding 51-13 victory over Bluefield State on Saturday in Bluefield, West Virginia. The Broncos improved to 4-2 in CIAA competition, delivering a complete team performance with touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams. Fayetteville State erupted for 36 points in the second quarter, turning a 7-7 tie into a commanding 43-7 halftime advantage.
Quarterback Jamir Dismukes led the offensive attack, completing 11-of-16 passes for 117 yards and three touchdowns while adding a team-high 70 rushing yards on six carries. Dismukes connected with Jayden Frazier, Marcus Fleming and Devin Grainger for touchdown receptions. Fleming finished with four catches for 38 yards and a score, while Grainger added a 16-yard touchdown reception. Malik Fuller contributed a two-yard rushing touchdown and a successful two-point conversion, while Braylon Vinson added another rushing score.
Fayetteville State's defense and special teams delivered two of the game's biggest plays during the second-quarter scoring surge. Freshman defensive back Christopher Bentley intercepted a pass and returned it 76 yards for a touchdown, while Amari Best blocked a punt and recovered it in the end zone for another score. Kadynce Watson led the Broncos with seven tackles, and Jatavien Taylor contributed six tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss.
Bluefield State quarterback Rishon Holmes threw for 238 yards and a touchdown while also adding a rushing score. Brandon Wiley led the receiving corps with three receptions for 128 yards. Despite tying the contest early, the Big Blue struggled to slow Fayetteville State's second-quarter surge.
Up Next: Fayetteville State returns home to host Bowie State on Saturday, October 31, at 1 p.m. for Senior Day at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Bluefield State travels to Durham to take on Shaw University on Saturday, October 31, at 1pm.
Winston-Salem State 21, Lincoln (Pa.) 14
Winston-Salem State continued its late-season resurgence with a 21-14 victory over Lincoln (Pa.) on Saturday, spoiling the Lions' Homecoming celebration and securing its second consecutive win. The Rams improved to 2-6 overall and 2-4 in CIAA competition, while Lincoln fell to 1-7 overall and 1-5 in conference play. After falling behind 7-0 in the opening quarter, Winston-Salem State responded with 21 unanswered points across the second and third quarters to take control.
Special teams provided the Rams' first breakthrough when Derrick Reid Jr. blocked a Lincoln punt and Daunte Stokes recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown, tying the game at 7-7 in the second quarter. Quarterback Brayden Jeffries then connected with Sean Walker Jr. for a 75-yard touchdown early in the third quarter to give Winston-Salem State its first lead. Jeffries finished with 178 passing yards and a touchdown, while Walker recorded four receptions for 113 yards and a score. Jamison Funderburk added a two-yard rushing touchdown late in the third quarter.
Defensively, Winston-Salem State recorded three sacks, two blocked kicks and two takeaways. Christopher McCorkle led the Rams with eight tackles and a sack, while Yetristan "Zy" Brown contributed four tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. Mecca Carr-Bordeaux added a key sack, and Zymiere Dempsey-Freeman blocked a field-goal attempt just before halftime.
Lincoln mounted a fourth-quarter comeback behind quarterback Rhyel Miles-Eubanks, who connected with Kyrie Tyson for a 29-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 21-14 with 4:40 remaining. However, Winston-Salem State's defense delivered a critical fourth-down stop with just over a minute remaining to preserve the victory.
Up Next: Winston-Salem State travels to Elizabeth City State on Saturday, October 31, for a 1 p.m. kickoff in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
Elizabeth City State 34, Livingstone 26
Elizabeth City State returned to the win column with a hard-fought 34-26 victory over Livingstone on Saturday in Salisbury, North Carolina. The Vikings improved to 2-4 in CIAA competition, while the Blue Bears fell to 2-5 in conference play. Elizabeth City State established control early, building a 28-10 halftime advantage before holding off a determined second-half comeback by Livingstone.
Quarterback Josef Manley led the Vikings' offensive attack, completing 14-of-24 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Terrance Holland emerged as Manley's primary target, recording five receptions for 79 yards and two touchdowns. Senior running back Trequan Johnson added 54 rushing yards on 15 carries and a touchdown as Elizabeth City State accumulated 315 yards of total offense. The Vikings scored 14 points in each of the first two quarters to establish an early advantage.
Livingstone responded with 16 second-half points, cutting into the Vikings' lead and creating a competitive finish. However, Elizabeth City State's defense delivered key stops to preserve the victory, limiting the Blue Bears to 298 total yards. The Vikings added a fourth-quarter touchdown to help secure the eight-point conference win.
Up Next: Elizabeth City State hosts Winston-Salem State on Saturday, October 31, at 1 p.m. at Roebuck Stadium in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
CIAA FOOTBALL WEEKLY HONORS
The CIAA has announced its Football Weekly Honors following Week 8 of the 2026 season. The weekly honors are voted on by the CIAA Sports Information Directors Association (SIDA).
Quarterback of the Week: RJ Rosales (Virginia Union)
Offensive Back of the Week: Fabian Duncan (Johnson C. Smith)
Receiver of the Week: Sean Walker Jr. (Winston-Salem State)
Offensive Lineman of the Week: Savion Moore (Virginia Union)
Defensive Lineman of the Week: Christopher Brown (Winston-Salem State)
Linebacker of the Week: Ashton Mayeux (Bowie State)
Defensive Back of the Week: Anderson Aaron (Bowie State)
Special Teams Player of the Week: Zyaire Tart (Virginia Union)
Rookie of the Week: Trevagne McCluskey (Livingstone)
ROAD TO THE 2026 CIAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
With the regular season entering its final stretch, the race toward the 2026 CIAA Football Championship continues to intensify following a weekend that reshaped the conference standings.
Virginia Union and Virginia State remain the conference's only undefeated teams, both holding 6-0 records in CIAA competition.
Virginia Union strengthened its position with a decisive Homecoming victory over Shaw, while Virginia State remained undefeated following its scheduled bye week.
Johnson C. Smith suffered its first conference loss of the season against Bowie State but remains firmly in the championship conversation at 5-1. Meanwhile, Bowie State and Fayetteville State are tied at 4-2 in CIAA play, adding further intrigue to the battle for championship positioning.
Several important matchups await during the final stretch of the regular season, including Virginia State's visit to Johnson C. Smith on Saturday, October 31, and Bowie State's trip to Fayetteville State.
The 2026 CIAA Football Championship Weekend will feature a four-team format, beginning with Friday Night Blitz, featuring the No. 3 and No. 4 teams at 6 p.m., followed by Saturday's championship matchup between the No. 1 and No. 2 teams at 3 p.m.
Fans are encouraged to follow the championship race throughout the regular season and secure their tickets for championship weekend.
For championship updates, tickets and additional information, visit TheCIAA.com.
TUNE IN TO MATISSE IN THE MORNING: CIAA FOOTBALL COACHES LIVE SHOW
Keep up with all the action across the conference by joining us every Monday at 9 a.m. ET for “Matisse in the Morning,” the CIAA Football Coaches Live Show!
Hear directly from CIAA head football coaches as they recap the weekend's biggest moments, discuss standout performances and preview upcoming matchups on the road to the 2026 CIAA Football Championship.
Fans, alumni, students and supporters are invited to join the conversation live each Monday.
Register to watch: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uy17wDnySiKfPnnA7060-g
Media Contact
Matisse S. Lee
Senior Associate Commissioner, Communications & Marketing, Special Projects / SWA
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
mlee@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 on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.