2021 CIAA Football Standings
2021 CIAA Football Composite Schedule
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CHARLOTTE - Week two of the 2021 football season featured 11 CIAA teams in action plus a last-minute cancellation for one team due to COVID-19 concerns. Non-conference play continues for all teams with another week of stiff competition across the conference. Quality DI and DII opponents, including several clashes with HBCU opponents, as well as a trio of games featuring consensus top 25 teams make up this week's slate of games. 

Let's take a look at the week two results for all teams across the conference: 

Central State 19, Lincoln (PA) 7

Lincoln fell to 0-2 to open the season with a 19-7 loss to Central State. For the second week in a row, the Lions defense held their opponent to 20 points or less, but the offense had trouble putting up points. The LU offense did move the ball better than CSU, outpacing them 246-178 in total offense, and  scored their first points of the season on a two-yard run by Andrew Banks early in the second quarter. Banks also threw for 157 yards while Devon Cathcart led the Lions defense with a team-high 10 tackles, including three for loss, and a sack. 

FULL GAME RECAP: Turnovers too much to overcome as LUPA falls 19-7 to Central State BOX SCORE: Central State at Lincoln (PA) 


Next Opponent: LUPA at Gardner Webb, September 18th at 6:00 PM


Chowan 46, Tusculum 38 2OT

For the second straight week Chowan needed extra time to secure a road win, taking down Tusculum 46-38 in double overtime. Mirroring last week's contest against Mars Hill, the Hawks relinquished a late-game lead that forced overtime, but also got a one-yard scoring run from Jaylon Boyd in the extra period to take the lead. Also similar to last week, the go-ahead score was followed by a CU defensive stand to close out the game. CU quarterback Bryce Witt had another solid game with 274 yards and two touchdowns through the air and rushing for another score. CU's Montre Moore had a game-high 13 tackles, including 1.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. 

FULL GAME RECAP: Hawks Football Off To Best Start Since '99 with 2OT Win BOX SCORE: Chowan at Tusculum 

Next Opponent: CU vs Erskine College, September 18th at 1:00 PM


#25 Bowie State 28, Saginaw Valley State 19
 
After a tough opening week loss to FCS-DI Delaware State, nationally-ranked Bowie State got back to their winning ways with a 28-19 victory over Saginaw Valley State. Down 17-14 entering the fourth quarter, the BSU got a 37-yard touchdown pass courtesy of reigining CIAA Offensive Player of the Year Ja'rome Johnson to Keshan Hinckley to take the lead. That was later followed by a four-yard scoring toss from Johnson to Victor Olayinka with 1:39 to play, putting away any hopes of a SVSU comeback. Johnson had a big game completing 27 of 35 passes for 409 yards and three touchdowns while receiver Darious Bowman caught eight balls for 175 yards and a score. Preseason All-American defense lineman Joshua Pryor led the BSU defense with seven tackles (four solos), including three for loss, and half a sack. 

FULL GAME RECAP: No. 25 Bowie State Holds Off Saginaw Valley State, Surges Late in 28-19 Victory BOX SCORE: Saginaw Valley State at Bowie State


Next Opponent:  BSU at New Haven, September 18th at 1:00 PM

Allen 20, Johnson C. Smith 19

Johnson C. Smith opened their season this week with a tough 20-19 loss at home to Allen. After taking a 19-14 lead early in the fourth quarter on a 53-yard pick-six by Tywann Jackson, the Golden Bulls defense gave up a go-ahead touchdown with just 55 seconds left in the game. JCSU got 111 yards passing and two touchdowns from quarterback Antonio Wallace along with 102 yards rushing from running back Davion Nelson. JCSU defenders Marvin Strong and Brandon Moses led all tacklers with seven tackles apiece. 

FULL GAME RECAP: Golden Bulls fall in season opener, 20-19 BOX SCORE: Allen at Johnson C. Smith

Next Opponent: JCSU vs Bluefield State, September 18th at 6:00 PM

 
Ohio Dominican 10, Virginia State 7 

Virginia State dropped their second game in as many weeks with a tough 10-7 loss on the road to Ohio Dominican. Down 10-0 in the fourth quarter, VSU delivered a 15-play, 93-yard scoring drive that ended with a two-yard run from Kimo Clarke to pull within three with 7:14 to play. However, on their next offesive possession the Trojan offense stalled in four plays with 2:50 left in the game and ODU ran out the clock to end the game. Clarke also contributed 47 yards rushing while Na'Shawn Reid-Carlos led the VSU defense with seven stops. Preseason All-CIAA defender Javon Frazier also registered four tackles, two sacks, and forced fumble for aTrojan defense that pitched a shutout in the second half. 

FULL GAME RECAP: Despite A Second Half Shut Out, Trojans Come Up Short Against Ohio Dominican 10-7 BOX SCORE: Virginia State at Ohio Dominican 

Next Opponent: VSU - IDLE, September 18th


Bluefield State 35, Elizabeth City State 27

Coming off a tough defeat in the Down East Viking Football Classic, Elizabeth City State dropped their home opener 35-27 to Bluefield State. The Vikings entered the fourth quarter with a 27-21 lead but gave up 14 unanswered points throughout the period that led to their second straight loss to open the season. ECSU quarterback De'Abrie Smith threw for 185 yards with touchdown passes of 16 and 80 yards to Zion Riddick and Brandon Joyner, respectively. Riddick also had a game-high 91 yards receiving and recorded more than 100 return yards for the second straight week while teammate Erick Mejia led all ECSU defenders with nine tackles. 

FULL GAME RECAP: N/A BOX SCORE: Bluefield State at Elizabeth City State

Next Opponent:  ECSU at Norfolk State, September 18th at 7:00 PM

#5 Valdosta State 51, Virginia Union 7

Virginia Union was outmatched against nationally-ranked Valdosta State, falling 51-7 in their home opener. The Panthers defense gave up 559 yards of total offense, including 307 yards rushing, but VUU running back Jada Byers was one of the few bright spots on the day after rushing for 107 yards and a touchdown as well as totaling 107 yards in the return game. Jaden Reavis led the Panthers with 69 yards on three catches while Jahkari Grant had a team-high with six tackles.

FULL GAME RECAP: N/A  BOX SCORE: Valdosta State at Virginia Union

Next Opponent:  VUU at Virginia University-Lynchburg, September 18th at 6:00 PM

Savannah State 50, Livingstone 6

Livingstone dropped their second straight game to an SIAC opponent with a 50-6 loss to Savannah State. Like last week, LC struggled to generate much offense, netting just 94 yards all game, and had no answer for a SSU rushing attack that put up 318 yards on the ground. The Blue Bears' finally got on the board late in the game on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Lamontay Carr to Jordan McKinney. LC defender Terrance McPherson led all defenders with 11 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, while teammate Walter Watkins contributed nine tackles with a game-high six solo stops. 

FULL GAME RECAP:     BOX SCORE: Livingstone at Savannah State

Next Opponent: LC at Allen, September 18th at 5:00 PM


#21 Wingate 40, Fayetteville State 21

After a big win to open the season, Fayetteville State stumbled on the road in week two with a 40-21 loss to nationally-ranked Wingate. Despite falling short, FSU outgained the Bulldogs 415-406 in total offense thanks in large part to K'hari Lane's 356 yards passing. Lane also threw for three touchdowns that included a 42-yarder to Braxton Knotts, who finished with a game-high 123 yards on five catches. FSU defensive back Joshua Williams led all tacklers with 10 stops and recorded a pass breakup. 

FULL GAME RECAP: Fayetteville State Football Falls 21-40 to Ranked Wingate BOX SCORE: Fayetteville State at Wingate

Next Opponent:  FSU - IDLE, September 18th

Catawba 28, Winston-Salem State 6

After having their opening week game cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns, Winston-Salem State made their 2021 season debut but didn't have enough to secure the win as they fell 28-6 to Catawba. The Rams threw for 127 yards and ran for 110 more on the ground, but failed to find the end zone all game. Kicker Jobanni Esparza delivered WSSU's only points of the game with a pair field goals from 38 and 35 yards. WSSU receiver Antjuan Collins led all receivers with 79 yards on six catches while quarterback Cameron Lewis led the Rams with 76 passing yards and 47 rushing yards. All-CIAA linebacker Ta'Shaun Taylor had a game-high eight tackles for the Rams while Deiontae Jones had seven stops, including a game-high five solos. 

FULL GAME RECAP:  BOX SCORE: Catawba at Winston-Salem State


Next Opponent:  WSSU at North Carolina Central, September 18th at 6:00 PM

Davidson 28, Shaw 26

Shaw came up just short in their upset bid on Saturday, falling 28-26 on the road to FCS-DI Davidson. The Bears entered the fourth quarter down 28-13, but ripped off 13 unanswered points before a failed two-point attempt left them two points short of tying the game with 4:36 to play. SU would get one final possession but turned the ball over on downs after six plays that included three straight incomplete passes from Christian Peters to end the drive. All wasn't bad for Peters though as he completed 19 of 31 passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns. Bears running back Sidney Gibbs added 110 yards on the ground on 23 carries and a touchdown while Devon Hunt led all tacklers with 16 total stops, including a game-high seven solos, and two pass breakups. 

FULL GAME RECAP: Bears Drop Heartbreaker to FCS Davidson BOX SCORE: Shaw at Davidson


Next Opponent:  SU vs Central State, September 18th at 1:00 PM

IDLE

Saint Augustine's - Nex Opponent: at Chowan, September 25th at 1:00 PM