2022 CIAA Football Standings
2022 CIAA Football Composite Schedule
2022 Statistics   

CHARLOTTE - It was the opening week of the 2022 Division II college football season and all 12 teams from across the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) were in action this week. The 2022 season kicked off with non-conference play and featured two nationally ranked teams clashing, the debuts of four CIAA head coaches, a nationally televised game, and a couple come-from-behind victories for two CIAA teams.

Take a look at how each team fared in their opening game:

Virginia Union 77, Virginia University Lynchburg 0 (Thursday) 

It was a total dismantling of the Dragons as the Panthers racked up 489 yards of total offense, the defense racked up eight sacks and a shutout, and the special teams added a touchdown of their own. Jahkari Grant threw for 301 yards and four touchdowns on just 15 completions and 20 attempts. John Jiles had five receptions for 100 yards and two scores. Jada Byers tallied 98 rushing yards and a score, plus four catches for 45 yards and another touchdown.

FULL GAME RECAP: VUU Makes Season-Opening Statement with 77-0 Win   BOX SCORE: Virginia Lynchburg at Virginia Union

Next Opponent: Virginia Union at Valdosta State, September 10th at 5:00 PM


Johnson C. Smith 34, Bluefield State 35 OT (Thursday)

The Maurice Flowers Era has begun at Johnson C. Smith but a Bluefield State two-point conversion in overtime stood in the way of a Golden Bulls victory.  The JCSU offense had 497 yards of total offense, including 371 yards passing by Tyrell Jackson, who also threw two touchdowns. Brevin Caldwell was the main recipient with 11 catches for 119 yards and two scores. Tyreik Leach had two touchdowns and 68 yards on the ground. Sharrod Simmon had a team-high nine tackles, plus an interception.

FULL GAME RECAP: JCSU Falls in OT 35-34 to Bluefield St.     BOX SCORE: Johnson C. Smith at Bluefield State

Next Opponent: JSCU at Allen, September 10th at 6:00 PM


Barton 17, Chowan 3 (Thursday)
 
It was a one-possession game until midway through the fourth quarter. A 40-yard Kyle Lotz field goal in the third quarter was the Hawks' only points as Chowan held Barton to just two touchdowns, partly due to the Hawks' three takeaways. Simeon Burns had a forced fumble and recovery while Kmare Carey and Malik Rencher each recorded interceptions. Jaylon Boyd and Tyrek McNeil combined for 127 yards rushing on 14 carries.

FULL GAME RECAP: Hawks Nipped By Bulldogs In Season Opener, 17-3     BOX SCORE: Barton at Chowan

Next Opponent:  Tusculum at Chowan, September 10th at 1:00 PM


St. Augustine's 13, Tusculum 70 (Thursday)

It was a rough start to the season for St. Augustine's as Tusculum scored 42 straight points in between a pair of Falcons' touchdowns. Chris Perkins accounted for both SAU scores, throwing a 15-yard touchdown to Jordan Black to make it a 14-6 game and then rushing for a score in the fourth. Perkins finished with 133 yards through the air and 24 on the ground. Lee Sales had a team-high six solo stops and nine total tackles. 

FULL GAME RECAP: SAU Football Falls To Tusculum In Season Opener     BOX SCORE: St. Augustine's at Tusculum

Next Opponent: Limestone at St. Augustine's, September 10th at 1:00 PM

 
#16 New Haven 20, #8 Bowie State 27

The battle between the two nationally ranked programs did not disappoint. In Kyle Jackson's first game as interim head coach, Bowie State valiantly battled back by scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter to erase a 17-7 deficit, proving why the Bulldogs are three-time defending conference champions. Trailing 20-19, Dion Golatt Jr. found Kwincy Hall for the game-winning touchdown with nine seconds left in the game. In total, Golatt Jr. threw for 266 yards and three touchdowns on 17 completions. Keshane Hinkley finished with seven catches for 106 yards and a touchdown. Keith Williams and Shawan Lewis led the defensive unit with five tackles each.

FULL GAME RECAP: No. 8 Bulldogs Ride Explosive Fourth Quarter for Comeback Win Over No. 16 New Haven     BOX SCORE: New Haven at Bowie State 

Next Opponent: Bowie State at Saginaw Valley State, September 10th at 1:00 PM


UNC Pembroke 13, Fayetteville State 15

The Fayetteville State defense delivered to give the Broncos their first Two Rivers Classic victory by pitching a shutout against the Braves in the second half and holding UNC Pembroke to two field goals and forcing and recovering two fumbles. The Broncos also racked up five sacks and held the Braves to 260 yards of total offense. John Oxce, Devin Cowan, and Anthony Binyard combined for 6.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks. Through the air, Kenneth Merritt was credited with four pass breakups.

FULL GAME RECAP: FSU come back from halftime deficit to take down North Carolina-Pembroke 15-13   BOX SCORE: UNC Pembroke at Fayetteville State

Next Opponent: Wingate at Fayetteville State, September 10th at 7:00 PM


Wingate 21, Shaw 7

The game was tied at 7-7 entering the fourth quarter but a costly Shaw fumble clinched the win for Wingate. Alternatively, the Bears were unable to take advantage of their 3-1 takeaway advantage over the Bulldogs. Elijah Wilson recorded two interceptions and had 44 return yards. Jaden Clark had the other interception. Ah'shaan Belcher scored Shaw's only touchdown with a 58-yard reception. He finished with six catches for 143 yards.

FULL GAME RECAP: Late Miscues Doom Bears in Season Opener     BOX SCORE: Wingate at Shaw

Next Opponent:  Shaw at Wayne State (Mich.), September 10th at 6:00 PM


Virginia State 19, Lenoir-Rhyne 38

Dr. Henry Frazier's Virginia State squad generated five takeaways in his first game at the helm, but the Bears held a 17-7 lead at halftime en route to the win over the Trojans. Willie Drew had two takeaways of his own in the form of a fumble recovery and interception. Chantz Baylor four solo stops tied for the team-high and he added a pick. Rodney Jones (interception) and Zion Johnson (recovery) had the other two takeaways.

FULL GAME RECAP: Trojans Fall to Lenoir-Rhyne 19-38 Despite Forcing Five Turnovers    BOX SCORE: Virginia State at Lenoir-Rhyne

Next Opponent:  Bluefield State at Virginia State, September 10th at 6:00 PM


Catawba 44, Livingstone 19

Despite boasting similar yards of total offense (310 to Catawba's 324) and first downs (18 to 19), Livingstone dropped the opener playing in the newly renovated Alumni Memorial Stadium. Silas Cruse threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Lasirton Bryant caught two of those touchdowns, totaling six receptions for 93 yards. Mathew Henry added seven catches and a touchdown with 76 yards. Terrance McPherson Jr. (11) and Jaden Echols (10) combined for 21 tackles for the Blue Bears.

FULL GAME RECAP: The Blue Bears Fall In West End Classic-Mayor's Cup to Catawba College     BOX SCORE: Catawba at Livingstone

Next Opponent: Livingstone at Elizabeth City State, September 10th at 4:00 PM (Down East Viking Classic)


Lincoln (PA) 0, Delaware State 34

The score was only 10-0 at halftime but the FCS-Division I Hornets blew the game open in the second half. Mike Johnson finished the game with a team-high 10 tackles and Kai Gray had eight tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. Isaiah Freeman passed for 130 yards and Dah'Mear Triplett had 64 of those yards with six receptions. 

FULL GAME RECAP: Football falls to Del State     BOX SCORE: Lincoln at Delaware State

Next Opponent: Lincoln (PA) at Central State, September 10th at 1:00 PM


Elizabeth City State 14, Benedict 52

In his first game at the helm, Marcus Hillard watched his Vikings score a touchdown on their opening drive but it was a rough outing from there. Raevon Freeman and Noah Davis connected for an 84-yard touchdown on the first drive and Tyquan Mercer rushed for a 55-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Juanya Majette totaled a team-high eight tackles, including six solo stops.

    

Next Opponent:  Livingstone at Elizabeth City State, September 10th at 4:00 PM (Down East Viking Classic)


Winston-Salem State 21, Central State 41 (Sunday; Black College Football Hall of Fame Game)

Winston-Salem State exited halftime trailing only 21-14 but things did not go in the Rams' favor in the second half. While the WSSU defense recorded four takeaways (three interceptions and one fumble), the Rams' offense also lost three fumbles of their own. Justin Fleming had five solo tackles and two interceptions while Jaylen Gullatte had a team-high seven tackles, plus a pick. WSSU tallied 193 yards rushing with Asa Barnes earning 107 of those on 19 carries. R.J. Mobley added four catches for 73 yards and two touchdowns. 

FULL GAME RECAP: WSSU Football Falls in Season Opener to Central State      BOX SCORE: Winston-Salem State vs. Central State

Next Opponent:  Winston-Salem State at North Carolina Central, September 10 at 6:00 PM