CHARLOTTE, N.C. (September 19, 2025) - The intensity is cranking up as CIAA football rolls into Week 3, with the action shifting fully into conference play. Five pivotal matchups are on deck, each carrying major implications for the early-season standings. Saturday’s slate is highlighted by a primetime meeting between the defending champion Virginia Union and the CIAA’s lone remaining unbeaten team, Johnson C. Smith, in a matchup featuring two nationally ranked programs.
Make sure to tune into the CIAA Network to catch all of Saturday’s action: https://theciaasn.com/
Lincoln (0-3) vs. Shaw (0-2) - 1:00 P.M.
Shaw heads into Week 3 looking to convert last week’s defensive grit into its first win of the season after holding Ferrum to just 192 total yards and forcing a turnover. Quarterback Justin Wheeler fueled the offense with 135 all-purpose yards and a touchdown, giving the Bears confidence as they prepare for Lincoln (PA). The Lions are seeking to rebound from a 51-14 loss to Winston-Salem State, where they struggled to slow a balanced Rams attack. Both programs have shown flashes of potential, setting the stage for a hard-fought matchup that could swing momentum for the weeks ahead.
Elizabeth City State (0-3) vs. Fayetteville State (0-3) - 1:00 P.M.
The “Down East Classic” sets the stage for a clash between two rivals desperate to turn their seasons around. Elizabeth City State came heartbreakingly close to upsetting nationally ranked Johnson C. Smith, only to surrender a late touchdown in the final minutes of a 21-17 defeat. Meanwhile, Fayetteville State showed flashes on the ground with 150 rushing yards and a defensive takeaway against North Carolina Central but couldn’t keep pace in the passing game. Both programs enter 0-3, but only one will emerge with their first win and in a rivalry game, pride means everything.
Winston-Salem State (2-1) vs. Virginia State (1-1) - 1:00 P.M.
Momentum meets redemption in this marquee matchup. Winston-Salem State is riding high after a dominant 51-14 rout of Lincoln (PA), piling up nearly 500 yards of offense while forcing four turnovers. They made their way onto the D2 HBCU Coaches Poll, taking the seventh spot while VSU is one ahead of them at six. Virginia State, last year’s CIAA runner-up, is still reeling from a gut-wrenching overtime loss to Norfolk State but showcased big-play ability with over 300 passing yards and a pair of 100-yard receivers. Their last meeting ended with a Rams walk-off field goal as time expired, and with both teams eager to prove themselves, fans should brace for another nail-biting finish.
Livingstone (1-1) vs. Bowie State (1-1) - 4:00 P.M.
Livingstone returns to action refreshed after a bye, bringing momentum from a 28-17 win over Allen (S.C.) where the defense sparked things with a pick-six and both quarterbacks delivered scoring drives. Bowie State, despite churning out over 200 rushing yards, stumbled in a tough loss at Delaware State but now looks to regroup in the final leg of a demanding three-game road swing. The Bulldogs have owned this matchup in recent years, winning four of the last five, but the Blue Bears are eyeing a statement victory to flip the script.
Virginia Union (2-1) vs. Johnson C. Smith (3-0) - 6:00 P.M.
All eyes will be on Saturday night for what could be the CIAA’s early game of the year. Johnson C. Smith has been the story of the season, starting 3-0 behind key clutch plays like Kelvin Durham’s 49-yard touchdown strike in the final minutes to topple Elizabeth City State last week. Heading into the weekend, The Golden Bulls lead the D2 HBCU Coaches Poll and are ranked No. 21 nationally. Waiting for them is the reigning champion, Virginia Union, eager to rebound after a crushing last-second loss to Edward Waters. The Panthers showcased balance with two rushing scores and two through the air but were stunned by a game-winning field goal in the closing seconds. They also find themselves ranked in both polls, coming in at No. 4 in the D2 HBCU Coaches Poll and holding on to No. 25 nationally. With a 9-2 edge in the series, VUU will look to build “3-peat” momentum, while the Golden Bulls aim to keep their undefeated dream alive.
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, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.