CIAA FOOTBALL WEEKLY RECAP: UNBEATEN LEADERS CONTINUE THEIR RUN AS WEEK 6 DELIVERS DOMINANT VICTORIES AND BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCES
Virginia State and Johnson C. Smith remain unbeaten in conference play, Bowie State extends winning streak, and Elizabeth City State earns first victory of the season
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (October 12, 2026) – Week 6 of CIAA® football featured another exciting weekend of conference competition as Virginia State and Johnson C. Smith continued their undefeated runs in league play, Bowie State extended its winning streak to three games, and Elizabeth City State secured its first victory of the season.
Virginia State improved to 5-0 in conference action with a commanding victory over Livingstone, while Johnson C. Smith moved to 4-0 in CIAA play following a dominant performance against Shaw. Bowie State recorded its first shutout of the season, and Elizabeth City State delivered one of the weekend's most impressive special teams performances.
Bluefield State, Virginia Union and Fayetteville State had bye weeks.
WEEK 6 GAME RECAPS
Virginia State 59, Livingstone 7
Virginia State continued its dominant run through CIAA play with a commanding 59-7 victory over Livingstone on Saturday at Rogers Stadium. The Trojans improved to 6-1 overall and remained unbeaten in conference action at 5-0, while the Blue Bears fell to 2-5 overall and 2-4 in the CIAA. Seven different Virginia State players reached the end zone as the Trojans exploded for 632 yards of total offense, including 398 passing yards and 234 rushing yards.
Quarterback Rahsaan Matthews Jr. delivered another outstanding performance, completing 18-of-27 passes for 302 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions while adding 54 rushing yards. Kevin Gayles led the scoring attack with two touchdown receptions, while Ajenavi Byrd hauled in four passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. Jaylen Pretlow added six receptions for 59 yards and a score, and TJ Mordecai contributed 75 rushing yards.
Defensively, Virginia State limited Livingstone to just 172 total yards and forced two turnovers. Amir Mateo recorded two interceptions, while Raja'ee Jones led the Trojans with eight tackles. Donzell Jones-Teal and Rikieh Hopkins each added a sack. Javen Parker led Livingstone's rushing attack with 41 yards.
Johnson C. Smith 49, Shaw 6
Johnson C. Smith continued its unbeaten run through CIAA play with a commanding 49-6 victory over Shaw on Saturday in Charlotte. The Golden Bulls improved to 5-1 overall and 4-0 in conference action, while the Bears fell to 4-3 overall and 2-3 in the CIAA.
Quarterback Damien Mazil accounted for five touchdowns, throwing four touchdown passes and adding a rushing score. Mazil connected with Fabian Duncan for a 45-yard touchdown on the opening drive before Duncan added a two-yard rushing touchdown. Mazil also found Kamarro Edmonds for a 24-yard score, Reginald Daniel for a 57-yard touchdown and Brian Lane for a 13-yard score. Backup quarterback Parker McQuarrie added a 15-yard touchdown pass to Christian Rutledge in the fourth quarter.
Defensively, the Golden Bulls held Shaw to just six points, with Vincent Hill leading the way with a game-high 11 tackles. Fabian Diggs provided Shaw's lone touchdown on a 23-yard run in the third quarter, but Johnson C. Smith maintained control throughout the contest to secure its fourth consecutive conference victory.
Bowie State 21, Winston-Salem State 0
Bowie State extended its winning streak to three games with a 21-0 shutout victory over Winston-Salem State on Saturday at Bowman-Gray Stadium. The Bulldogs improved to 3-3 overall and 3-0 in CIAA play, while the Rams fell to 0-6 overall and 0-4 in conference action.
After a scoreless first half, Bowie State scored 21 unanswered points and relied on a dominant defensive performance to secure its first shutout of the season.
Maximus Jones led the Bulldogs' rushing attack with 76 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, while Jaylin Solomon broke the scoreless tie with a 19-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Bowie State finished with 219 rushing yards, but its defense provided the game's biggest plays, forcing six turnovers, including three interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
Michael Thompson III delivered a standout performance with five tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown. Ashton Mayeux led the Bulldogs with 10 tackles, while Aaron Anderson and Khalil Travers each recorded an interception.
Winston-Salem State battled through a scoreless first half but struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities, finishing 0-for-2 in the red zone. The Bulldogs limited the Rams to 223 total yards, including just 85 passing yards, and converted turnovers into 14 points.
Up Next: Bowie State returns home to host Virginia Union on Saturday, October 17, at 1 p.m. for Gold Rush Day.
Elizabeth City State 35, Lincoln (Pa.) 21
Elizabeth City State earned its first victory of the season with a 35-21 win over Lincoln (Pa.) on Saturday at Roebuck Stadium. The Vikings improved to 1-5 overall and 1-3 in CIAA play, while the Lions fell to 1-5 overall and 1-3 in conference action.
Elizabeth City State jumped out to a commanding 21-0 first-quarter lead behind an explosive special teams performance and never surrendered its advantage.
Terrance Holland opened the game with a 91-yard kickoff return touchdown before hauling in a 40-yard touchdown reception from Troy Smith. The Vikings also capitalized on two blocked punts, with Kayvawn Simms Rogers recovering the first in the end zone for a touchdown and Nazir Vines recovering the second for another score.
Andrew Davis powered the ground attack with 110 rushing yards and a touchdown on nine carries as Elizabeth City State finished with 275 rushing yards.
Defensively, the Vikings recorded six sacks and 15 tackles for loss, led by Alex Williams with two sacks.
Lincoln continued to battle, with Kyrie Tyson recording 10 receptions for 147 yards and two touchdowns, while Mikal Davis threw for 288 yards and two scores. Sahaaj Bennett led the Lions defensively with 10 tackles, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery.
CIAA FOOTBALL WEEKLY HONORS
The CIAA has announced its Football Weekly Honors following Week 6 of the 2026 season. The weekly honors are voted on by the CIAA Sports Information Directors Association (SIDA).
Quarterback of the Week: Damien Mazil, Johnson C. Smith
Offensive Back of the Week: Andrew Davis, Elizabeth City State
Receiver of the Week: Kyrie Tyson, Lincoln (Pa.)
Offensive Lineman of the Week: Tyleek McCoy, Virginia State
Defensive Lineman of the Week: Alex Williams, Elizabeth City State
Linebacker of the Week: Vincent Hill, Johnson C. Smith
Defensive Back of the Week: Sahaaj Bennett, Lincoln (Pa.)
Special Teams Player of the Week: Terrance Holland, Elizabeth City State
Rookie of the Week: Andrew Davis, Elizabeth City State
Elizabeth City State led the conference with four weekly honors, highlighted by Andrew Davis earning both Offensive Back and Rookie of the Week recognition. Johnson C. Smith and Lincoln (Pa.) each earned two selections, while Virginia State received one.
ROAD TO THE 2026 CIAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
The race toward the 2026 CIAA Football Championship continues to intensify as the conference enters the second half of the regular season.
Virginia State remains undefeated in CIAA competition at 5-0, while Virginia Union, which had a bye this week, stands at 4-0. Johnson C. Smith also remains unbeaten in conference play at 4-0 following its decisive victory over Shaw.
Bowie State has emerged as another team to watch, winning three consecutive games to improve to 3-1 in conference action.
The October 17 schedule features an important matchup as Virginia Union travels to Bowie State, with both programs looking to strengthen their positions in the conference race.
The 2026 CIAA Football Championship Weekend will bring together the conference's top teams in Durham, North Carolina, in November as programs compete for conference honors and championship recognition.
Fans are encouraged to follow the race throughout the regular season and secure their tickets for championship weekend. For championship updates, tickets and additional information, visit TheCIAA.com.
TUNE IN TO THE CIAA FOOTBALL COACHES LIVE SHOW with "Matisse in the Morning"
Keep up with all the action across the conference by joining us every Monday at 9 a.m. ET for “Matisse in the Morning,” the CIAA Football Coaches Live Show!
Hear directly from CIAA head football coaches as they recap the weekend's biggest moments, discuss standout performances and preview upcoming matchups on the road to the 2026 CIAA Football Championship.
Fans, alumni, students and supporters are invited to join the conversation live each Monday.
Register to watch: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uy17wDnySiKfPnnA7060-g
Media Contact
Matisse S. Lee
Senior Associate Commissioner, Communications & Marketing, Special Projects / SWA
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
mlee@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.
For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.