CHARLOTTE, NC – This Saturday will mark the beginning of divisional matchups within the CIAA, which means games will go to a whole new level. Here’s a snapshot of what to look forward to this Saturday:
 
Johnson C. Smith (4-1 / 3-0 CIAA) at Shaw (1-4 / 1-2 CIAA), 1 PM    LIVE STATS
First-year Johnson C. Smith Head Coach Maurice Flowers has his Golden Bulls playing well through five games heading into this Saturday’s road game at Shaw. Because of JCSU’s success so far, the Golden Bulls are currently ranked #9 in the latest HBCU Coaches Poll following last Saturday’s 21-20 road win at Elizabeth City State. Johnson C. Smith is averaging 27.2 points per game compared to 11.8 points per game for the Shaw Bears. On the other side of the ball, the Golden Bulls are allowing 14.6 points per game while the Bears are giving up 30.8 points per game. This game is also Shaw’s Homecoming.
 
Fayetteville State (3-2 / 3-0 CIAA) at Saint Augustine’s (0-5 / 0-3 CIAA), 1 PM    LIVE STATS

Fayetteville State will invade the George Williams Sports Complex on Saturday and will be Saint Augustine’s first opponent on its new turf upgrade. Fayetteville State tasted victory last Saturday topping Bluefield State 28-18, but Saint Augustine’s dropped its fifth consecutive game last weekend in a 47-7 setback against Virginia Union. The FSU Broncos rank 8^th in conference scoring (17.8 points per game) while the SAU Falcons rank 12^th overall in conference scoring (6.6 points per game).


Livingstone (1-4 / 1-2 CIAA) at Winston-Salem State (2-3 / 2-1 CIAA) 1 PM   LIVE STATS
Livingstone hopes to make it two wins in a row after picking up a huge victory last Saturday, thumping Bowie State 31-18. The Livingstone Blue Bears are 10^th in conference scoring (14.6 points per game) but allow a league-high 35.0 points per game. The WSSU Rams were upended at Lincoln (PA) last Saturday, falling 30-27 to the Lions. Winston-Salem State’s Rams rank 5^th in CIAA scoring (23.2 points) and 7^th overall in points allowed at 22.0 points per game.


Virginia State (5-0 / 3-0 CIAA) at Bowie State (3-2 / 2-1 CIAA), 2 PM    LIVE STATS
Virginia State is red hot heading into a Homecoming showdown at Bowie State this Saturday. The Trojans are the only undefeated team in the league and the CIAA in scoring (36.0 points per game) and rank second overall in points allowed (14.0 points per game). Bowie State suffered a 31-18 loss at Livingstone last Saturday. The BSU Bulldogs are relatively even in terms of scoring per game (18.0) and points allowed (16.0). BSU’s Bulldogs quarterback Amir Jenkins ranks second overall in conference passing with 1,066 yards and is averaging 213.2 passing yards per game. Even though Virginia State is unbeaten, the Trojans are not ranked nationally but are ranked second in the HBCU Coaches Poll.
 
 
Virginia Union (4-1 / 2-1 CIAA) at Elizabeth City State (1-4 / 0-3 CIAA), 2 PM    LIVE STATS 
Virginia Union got back to its winning ways last Saturday cruising past Saint Augustine’s by a score of 47-7. The VUU Panthers currently rank 23^rd in the D2Football.com poll and 3^rd in the HBCU Coaches Poll. Virginia Union leads the CIAA in defense, allowing just 12.6 points per game and ranks second in conference scoring (30.6 points per game). VUU’s Curtis Allen leads the CIAA in rushing yards (437) and yards per game (87.4) and teammate William Davis leads the league in interceptions with three. Elizabeth City State lost a tough home game to Johnson C. Smith last Saturday by a score of 21-20. The ECSU Vikings a scoring at a 16.0 points per game clip while allowing 19.2 points per game.


Lincoln (PA) (2-3 / 1-2 CIAA) at Bluefield State (1-4 / 0-3 CIAA), 3 P.M.   LIVE STATS
The Lions of Lincoln (PA) will make the long haul over to Bluefield State this Saturday looking to spoil the Homecoming festivities of Big Blue. Lincoln (PA) stunned Winston-Salem State last weekend, edging the Rams 30-27. Lincoln (PA) features the league's leading passer in Isaiah Freeman and the CIAA’s leading receiver Malachi Langley. Freeman has thrown for 1,169 yards (12 touchdowns) and averages 233.8 passing yards per game. Langley leads the CIAA in reception yards (six touchdowns), averaging 27.4 yards per catch and 115.2 reception yards per game. Bluefield State’s Jai’qua Hart ranks third in conference passing (841 yards) and 210.3 passing yards per contest.