CHARLOTTE, NC (October 27, 2025) - Week Eight of CIAA football delivered plenty of excitement, as some of the conference’s most efficient offenses were on full display. The performances helped set the stage for an exciting final two weeks of the season.
No. 24 Johnson C. Smith 52, Winston-Salem State 27
Johnson C. Smith continued its impressive run of form on Saturday, delivering another strong performance against Winston-Salem State. After a scoreless opening quarter, the Golden Bulls caught fire in the second, scoring three straight touchdowns to seize control and take a 22-point halftime lead. Their offense set the pace while the defense held firm through three quarters, fending off a late fourth-quarter rally from the Rams to close out a 52-27 victory.
Quarterback Kelvin Durham powered the Golden Bulls’ offense with a standout performance, accounting for five total touchdowns. He threw for 351 yards and three touchdowns while adding 74 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. Running back Bobby Smith also contributed heavily, finding the end zone twice for the second time this season as Johnson C. Smith’s balanced attack continued to impress.
For Winston-Salem State, quarterback Daylin Lee led the late push, recording two passing touchdowns and one rushing score, all in the fourth quarter. The Rams also found success on the ground, led by their top Noah Marshall’s 122 rushing yards as part of the team’s 222-yard rushing effort. With the win, Johnson C. Smith improves to 4-1 in conference play, maintaining a strong hold on third place in the CIAA standings. Winston-Salem State, meanwhile, falls to 2-4, dropping several spots in the conference race.
Elizabeth City State 62, Lincoln (PA) 14
Elizabeth City State delivered its most explosive offensive performance in nearly a decade, putting up its highest point total since 2015 in a dominant road win over Lincoln (PA). The Vikings set the tone early with two first-quarter touchdowns and added three more in the second, including a thrilling 95-yard field goal block return for a TD to take a commanding 34-point lead at halftime. Lincoln (PA) opened the second half with Hamas Duren’s second touchdown pass of the day, but the Vikings continued to roll, finding the end zone four more times to seal a 62-14 victory and return to the win column.
Quarterback Christopher Perkins led the charge for Elizabeth City State with an efficient and dynamic outing as he threw for four touchdowns, his fourth straight game with at least two touchdown passes. The Vikings balanced their attack with a productive ground game that totaled 104 rushing yards and two touchdowns, with contributions from multiple backs keeping the Lions' defense on its heels throughout the afternoon.
For Lincoln (PA), quarterback Hamas Duren accounted for both of the Lions’ touchdowns through the air, while running back Dexter Baptism turned in a solid performance, rushing for 93 yards. With the victory, Elizabeth City State improves to 2-3 in CIAA play, inching closer to .500, while Lincoln (PA) remains winless in conference action at 0-5.
Fayetteville State 31, Shaw 13
Fayetteville State kept its perfect conference record intact with a strong road performance, defeating Shaw to remain unbeaten in CIAA play. The win moves the Broncos to 5-0 in the conference, keeping them tied for the top spot in the standings while the Bears drop to 2-4. Both defenses set the tone early, keeping the game scoreless through the opening quarter before Fayetteville State began to find its rhythm.
Quarterback Demari Daniels sparked the Broncos’ offense in the second quarter, connecting on a 17-yard touchdown pass to open the scoring, then leading another drive that ended in the end zone to give Fayetteville State a two-score halftime lead. Running back Caden Davis added to the effort with a rushing touchdown in the third quarter before making one of the game’s highlight plays; a 51-yard touchdown pass on a trick play that helped put the game out of reach for the Bears.
Despite the loss, Shaw showed fight in the second half as quarterback Alexander Marsh threw for 221 yards, while running backs Christian Rutledge and Trey Thorpe each found the end zone on rushing scores. The Broncos’ balanced offense and timely defensive stops ultimately proved too much, as Fayetteville State continued its impressive run toward another potential CIAA title appearance.
No. 14 Virginia Union 24, Bowie State 7
Virginia Union extended its conference winning streak to five with a road win over Bowie State, leaning on another dominant performance from running back Curtis Allen. The Panthers controlled the game from start to finish, jumping out to a 10-0 halftime lead before Allen’s fourth-quarter touchdown stretched the margin to 17 and sealed the victory. He continued his remarkable season with 198 rushing yards and a touchdown, powering a Virginia Union offense that has consistently worn down opponents all year.
Defensively, the Panthers were just as impressive, limiting Bowie State to only seven total points. Linebacker Lamumba Howard had a career day, recording 18 tackles and two sacks while wreaking havoc in the backfield and helping to stifle the Bulldogs’ rushing attack. His relentless play set the tone for a defensive unit that continues to be one of the toughest in the CIAA.
For Bowie State, quarterback Kevin Taylor threw for 106 yards, while running back Maximus Jones provided the team’s lone touchdown, a short scoring run in the third quarter, finishing with 69 rushing yards. Despite the loss, the Bulldogs’ defense turned in a respectable effort, holding Virginia Union’s high-powered offense to just 24 points, its lowest total of the season. With the win, Virginia Union remains unbeaten at 5-0 in conference play and are tied for first place in the CIAA standings while Bowie State falls to 1-4.
Virginia State 51, Bluefield State 34
Fans were treated to an offensive showcase on Saturday as Virginia State and Bluefield State combined for more than 1,000 total yards of offense in a high-scoring battle. Bluefield State struck first, finding the end zone just 17 seconds into the game, but Virginia State responded immediately with three straight touchdowns on its next three drives to take early control. The fireworks continued into the second quarter as Big Blue quarterback Brice Koontz connected on three touchdown passes, but a 100-yard blocked field goal return by Donavan Howard helped the Trojans maintain a seven-point halftime lead.
After a quiet third quarter that featured just a Virginia State field goal, the Trojans put the game away in the fourth with a 20-point surge, highlighted by Ri’Jon Hammond’s two rushing touchdowns, to secure the 51-34 victory. The win was fueled by an explosive and balanced offensive attack that kept Bluefield State’s defense on its heels throughout the afternoon.
The Trojans saw contributions from all over the field, with three different quarterbacks combining for 278 passing yards and a touchdown apiece. Hammond led the ground game with 135 rushing yards and two scores, while receiver Malik Hunter had a big day through the air, hauling in seven receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown. For Bluefield State, Koontz continued his stellar play, tossing four touchdown passes for the third straight week, with Julian Crawley delivering a career performance with 208 receiving yards and three touchdowns. With the win, Virginia State improves to 3-2 in CIAA play, staying inside the conference’s top four, while Bluefield State drops to 2-3.
Livingstone 44, Virginia-Lynchburg 22
Livingstone hosted Virginia-Lynchburg for a late-season non-conference matchup and came away with an impressive win, fueled by a dominant second-half performance. After a competitive first half that saw the game tied at 14-14, the Blue Bears took control in the third quarter with three touchdowns, one through the air, one on the ground, and a defensive score on a 3-yard fumble recovery. Livingstone carried that momentum into the final period, as running back Javen Parker broke free for a 25-yard touchdown run, and the defense added a safety to put the game out of reach.
The Blue Bears showcased balance on offense, with quarterbacks Elijah Alexander and Alfredo Sotelo combining for 220 passing yards and a touchdown apiece. Parker headlined the rushing attack with a career-high 139 yards and his late fourth-quarter score. On the defensive side, Kenyon Garner once again proved to be a disruptive force, adding 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble to his conference-leading totals.
With the victory, Livingstone improves to 4-4 overall, climbing back to the .500 mark while their conference record remains 2-3. The Blue Bears will look to carry this momentum into the final stretch of the season as they aim to finish strong in CIAA play.
CIAA WEEK EIGHT TAKEAWAYS
The full updated standings can be found here.
Tickets to the 2025 CIAA Football Championship are now on sale and can be purchased here.
WEEK EIGHT PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Following an eventful Week 8 of CIAA football, several standout performers have been recognized with this week’s Conference Player of the Week honors.
Quarterback – Kelvin Durham, Johnson C. Smith
Durham had a dominant day in Johnson C. Smith’s 52-27 win over Winston-Salem State. He went 22-of-30 for 351 yards and three passing touchdowns while adding 74 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground. His all-around performance powered the Golden Bulls’ efficient offensive showing.
Offensive Back - Curtis Allen, Virginia Union
Curtis Allen powered the Virginia Union offense with 198 rushing yards on 30 carries in the win over Bowie State. He capped his day with a 34-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. Allen also contributed through the air with a 12-yard reception, showcasing his versatility and endurance.
Wide Receiver - DeAndre Proctor, Johnson C. Smith
"Biggie” delivered a standout performance, catching nine passes for 136 yards. He found the end zone twice, including a 60-yard touchdown that energized the offense. His reliability and big-play ability helped lead Fayetteville State’s aerial attack.
Offensive Lineman - Anton Chavis, Elizabeth City State
Senior lineman Anton Chavis anchored an Elizabeth City State offensive front that paved the way for 443 total yards in the win. The Vikings allowed just two sacks on 33 pass attempts and produced 339 passing yards with five touchdowns through the air. Chavis and his unit also opened lanes for 104 rushing yards and two scores while maintaining efficiency on third down and in the red zone.
Defensive Lineman - Drewvon Oxendine, Elizabeth City State
Drewvon Oxendine made his presence felt in ECSU’s 62-14 win over Lincoln. He forced a sack fumble, recovered another, and helped the Vikings defense force five total fumbles on the day. Oxendine’s constant pressure up front disrupted the Lions’ offensive rhythm and created key turnover opportunities.
Linebacker - Jayden Reeder, Livingstone
Reeder was everywhere for the Virginia Union defense, recording 11 tackles (2 solo, 9 assisted), 1.5 sacks, and two tackles for loss. He also returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown, adding a defensive score to his dominant day. His relentless pursuit and big-play ability set the tone for the Blue Bears’ defense.
Defensive Back - Keyshawn Monk, Fayetteville State
Monk made an impact all over the field, totaling six tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, an interception, a pass breakup, a quarterback hurry, and a fumble recovery. His defensive awareness consistently disrupted Shaw’s rhythm on offense. Monk’s timely plays helped preserve Fayetteville State’s lead in a key conference victory.
Special Teams – Jamari Blake, Elizabeth City State
Blake delivered one of the weekend’s most electrifying plays, returning a blocked field goal 95 yards for a touchdown just before halftime. His quick reaction and speed flipped momentum, giving ECSU a two-possession lead. The return was one of the longest special teams scores in recent program history and highlighted Blake’s game-changing impact.
Rookie - Baron Davis, Virginia State
Freshman quarterback Baron Davis shined in his first start, going 12-of-18 for 144 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 47 yards and another score. His poise and dual-threat ability fueled a Virginia State offense that produced 516 total yards. Davis’s performance showcased his potential as a rising star for the Trojans.
With just two weeks left in the regular season, teams now turn their focus to Week 9 as the race for a berth in the CIAA Championship intensifies across the conference.
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.
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