CHARLOTTE, N.C. (September 12, 2025) – Week Two of CIAA football is here, featuring the first conference matchups of the season and several marquee non-conference showdowns. Nine CIAA teams will take the field this weekend, looking to set the tone for the 2025 title race. Fans can expect big plays, rivalries renewed, and plenty of early-season drama.
Johnson C. Smith (2-0) at Elizabeth City State (0-2)
The Golden Bulls are off to a 2-0 start for the second straight season, defeating Morehouse 45-9 and Valdosta State 28-16 behind quarterback Kelvin Durham, who threw for 207 yards and rushed for three scores last week. Bobby Smith has led the ground game with 98 yards on 19 carries, while Deandre Proctor added six catches for 94 yards.
Elizabeth City State will look to feed off the energy of Roebuck Stadium in search of its first win of 2025. The Vikings have held opponents under 30 points in both contests and will need to generate defensive stops to contain JCSU’s balanced attack.
These teams share a long CIAA history, with JCSU holding a 24-15 series lead. Saturday marks their first meeting since 2022, adding intrigue as both programs look for an early divisional boost.
Lincoln (PA) (0-2) at Winston-Salem State (1-1)
The Rams return to Bowman Gray Stadium after splitting their first two games, eager to avenge a 30-27 loss to Lincoln in 2023, the Lions’ first-ever win in the series. WSSU will rely on a ground attack averaging over 170 rushing yards per game, while Lincoln looks to spark its passing game, producing nearly 200 yards per outing, to stay competitive.
With recent matchups coming down to the wire, this one could once again be decided in the final minutes.
Fayetteville State (0-2) at North Carolina Central (1-2)
A classic HBCU clash kicks off under the lights at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium as Fayetteville State looks to avoid its first 0-3 start since 2018. The Broncos’ defense, which led the CIAA in scoring defense last season, will be tested by an NCCU offense averaging nearly 28 points per game.
NCCU holds a commanding 24-9 all-time series lead and has traditionally been tough to beat at home, but Fayetteville State has a history of playing the Eagles close and will look to pull off an upset that could spark its season.
Bowie State (1-0) at Delaware State (1-1)
The Bulldogs opened their season with a 23-7 win over Shippensburg, forcing three turnovers and holding their opponent under 250 yards of offense. Delaware State enters off a 34-21 win over UAlbany powered by a rushing attack averaging 175 yards per game.
This will be the third meeting between the programs, with the series tied 1-1. Bowie State’s 2023 win over Delaware State was a signature moment for the program, and the Bulldogs will aim to repeat that success in another hard-hitting matchup.
Shaw (0-1) at Ferrum (0-1)
Shaw heads to Virginia looking to clean up turnovers and capture its first win of the season. Ferrum, also searching for its first victory, will try to take advantage of home field. This first-ever meeting is a potential tone-setter for both programs as they prepare for the grind of league play.
Virginia Union (1-0) vs. Edward Waters (2-0)
The defending CIAA champions looked every bit the part in a 45-3 rout of Miles College in the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic, racking up 556 total yards and forcing five turnovers. Curtis Allen led the way with 185 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Edward Waters is also off to a perfect start, coming off a 46-14 win over Miles, setting up an early-season clash of unbeatens. This first-ever meeting promises fireworks as two explosive offenses collide.
Bluefield State (1-1) at Wingate (1-0)
Bluefield State scored 38 points in its first win of the season and now faces perennial SAC contender Wingate, which opened with a 31-14 win over UNC Pembroke. Wingate has not lost a home opener since 2019 and will look to maintain that streak, while Bluefield State aims for a statement road win.
CIAA Week Two Outlook
With the first conference games of the year on tap, Week Two is about setting the tone. Early momentum, turnover battles, and red-zone execution could prove decisive as teams look to position themselves for a run at the CIAA title.
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.