CHARLOTTE, N.C. (September 22, 2025) – Week Three of CIAA football brought statement wins, late-game drama, and movement in the early standings. Here’s how it all went down across the conference:
No. 21 Virginia Union 28, Johnson C. Smith 10
Virginia Union seized control of the Willard Bailey Classic and handed Johnson C. Smith its first loss. Curtis Allen scored four rushing touchdowns and finished with 108 yards as the Panthers scored in every quarter. Quarterback RJ Rosales threw for 136 yards, and Ricky Key Jr. added 64 yards as VUU opened conference play with a convincing win in Richmond.
Johnson C. Smith’s scoring came in the second quarter on a two-yard run by quarterback Kelvin Durham and a 28-yard field goal just before halftime. The result moves VUU to 2-1 and JCSU to 3-1. Following the win, Virginia Union climbed to No. 21 in the national Division II rankings.
Shaw 36, Lincoln (PA) 21
Shaw notched its first victory under head coach Lamar Manigo with a composed road win at Lincoln. Freshman quarterback Alexander Marsh, the CIAA Rookie of the Week, passed for 165 yards with two touchdowns and added a rushing score as the Bears built a 22–0 lead midway through the third quarter. Running back Trey Thorpe powered the finish with 113 rushing yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns, while Defensive Back of the Week Jaden Perkins had two interceptions and several key tackles to halt Lincoln’s late rally.
Lincoln fought back behind quarterback Hamas Duren, who went 23-of-43 for 269 yards and two touchdowns, trimming the deficit to one possession before Shaw closed it out late. The Bears’ defense also added a safety to secure their first CIAA win of 2025.
No. 25 Virginia State 34, Winston-Salem State 33
Virginia State rallied from a halftime deficit with a decisive third quarter to win by one at Bowman-Gray Stadium. Quarterback of the Week Rahsaan Matthews Jr. threw four touchdown passes and finished with 137 yards through the air, while Offensive Back of the Week Brandon Rose rushed for 124 yards as the Trojans totaled 404 yards on 64 plays.
Winston-Salem State generated 470 yards of offense, including 338 passing yards from Daylin Lee, and mounted a late push that came up just short. Virginia State’s opportunistic defense and special teams helped swing momentum out of halftime to secure a 2-1 start. The win propelled the Trojans into the national Division II rankings at No. 25.
Livingstone 17, Bowie State 16
Livingstone returned from a bye and edged Bowie State in Salisbury. Elijah Alexander tossed two second-quarter touchdowns (to Ronald Lindsey and Tavion Jackson), and Jason Zapata drilled a 43-yard field goal just before halftime to make it 17-10. The Blue Bears sealed it with a late goal-line stand after Bowie State’s fourth-quarter touchdown was followed by an unsuccessful two-point try.
Livingstone’s defense was relentless, led by Defensive Lineman of the Week Kenyon Garner, who recorded four of the team’s five sacks and consistently pressured the Bulldogs’ backfield. That effort preserved the one-point margin and gave Livingstone a crucial 1-0 start to CIAA play.
Fayetteville State 51, Elizabeth City State 8
Fayetteville State opened CIAA play in dominant fashion, rolling past Elizabeth City State in the Down East Viking Classic. Quarterback Demari Daniels led the way with 255 passing yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing score, as the Broncos built a 31-8 halftime lead and never looked back.
The Broncos’ performance was powered by multiple weekly honorees, including Offensive Lineman of the Week Benjamin Hicks, who helped pave the way for 454 yards of offense, Linebacker of the Week Matthew Leach, who led a defense that forced four turnovers, and Special Teams Player of the Week John Hernandez-Vargas, who was perfect in the kicking game. Fayetteville State closed the game with 20 unanswered points to secure its first win of the season and improve to 1-0 in conference play. The annual Down East Viking Classic was played this year in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
CIAA WEEK THREE TAKEAWAYS
WEEK THREE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Quarterback – Rahsaan Matthews, Virginia State
Matthews orchestrated Virginia State’s comeback win with four touchdown passes and 137 passing yards in a high-pressure road environment. His poise in the pocket and ability to finish drives in the red zone fueled the Trojans’ decisive third-quarter surge. Matthews’ performance moved VSU to 2-1, solidifying his role as a leader on offense.
Offensive Lineman – Benjamin Hicks, Fayetteville State
Hicks anchored an offensive line that paved the way for 454 total yards in Fayetteville State’s rout of ECSU. His physical presence and consistent protection allowed quarterback Demari Daniels to throw for 255 yards and three touchdowns without being sacked. Hicks’ dominance at the line of scrimmage helped FSU control the tempo and close out the game with 20 unanswered points.
Receiver – Xayden Watson, Fayetteville State
Watson was a reliable target for the Broncos’ offense, hauling in multiple key receptions to keep drives alive. His route running created separation against ECSU’s secondary and set up scoring opportunities throughout the first half. Watson’s consistency contributed to FSU’s balanced attack in their first CIAA win of the season.
Defensive Back – Jaden Perkins, Shaw
Perkins was a ballhawk in Shaw’s first win of the season, recording two interceptions to stifle Lincoln’s comeback bid. He also contributed several tackles in the open field, showcasing his versatility in coverage and run support. Perkins’ takeaways were critical in sealing the Bears’ first conference victory under Coach Lamar Manigo.
Linebacker – Matthew Leach, Fayetteville State
Leach was everywhere for the Broncos, racking up tackles and playing a key role in limiting ECSU to just six first downs. His instincts allowed him to sniff out running plays before they developed, forcing ECSU into difficult third-down situations. Leach’s defensive leadership set the tone for a unit that forced four turnovers on the day.
Defensive Lineman – Kenyon Garner, Livingstone
Garner dominated the trenches with four of Livingstone’s five sacks in their narrow 17-16 win over Bowie State. His pressure consistently disrupted the Bulldogs’ passing game and forced rushed throws in critical moments. Garner’s performance anchored a defensive effort that held firm on a late goal-line stand to preserve the one-point victory.
Special Teams – John Hernandez-Vargas, Fayetteville State
Hernandez-Vargas was automatic on special teams, converting extra points and executing in the kicking game to keep FSU’s offense rolling. His consistency provided confidence to the Broncos’ scoring drives, ensuring points were maximized after every touchdown. Hernandez-Vargas’ performance helped FSU maintain momentum in their dominant win.
Offensive Back – Brandon Rose, Virginia State
Rose was the workhorse for the Trojans, rushing for 124 yards on a night where VSU needed every yard to edge Winston-Salem State. His physical running style wore down the Rams’ defense and complemented Matthews’ passing attack. Rose’s ability to move the chains was critical to VSU’s time of possession advantage in the second half.
Rookie – Alexander Marsh, Shaw
Marsh delivered a breakout performance with 165 passing yards, two touchdowns through the air, and a rushing score in Shaw’s road victory. The freshman showed composure beyond his years, guiding the Bears to a 22–0 lead by the third quarter. Marsh’s dual-threat ability energized the offense and provided Shaw with a glimpse of its future under center.
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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