CIAA FOOTBALL WEEK 7 RECAP: UNBEATEN CONTENDERS CONTINUE CHAMPIONSHIP PUSH AS CONFERENCE RACE HEATS UP
Virginia State, Virginia Union and Johnson C. Smith remain undefeated in CIAA play, while Winston-Salem State celebrates its first victory of the season

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (October 19, 2026) – Week 7 of CIAA® football delivered dominant offensive performances, important conference victories and a milestone win as the race toward the 2026 CIAA Football Championship continues to intensify.
Virginia State remained undefeated in conference play following a 76-13 victory over Shaw, while Virginia Union extended its winning streak to six games with a commanding 48-7 win over Bowie State. Johnson C. Smith continued its unbeaten conference run with a 40-6 Homecoming victory over Lincoln (Pa.), setting the stage for a competitive final stretch of the regular season.
Fayetteville State also celebrated Homecoming with a decisive victory over Elizabeth City State, while Winston-Salem State secured its first win of the season and the first victory under head coach Tory Woodbury.
Livingstone College had a bye week.

WEEK 7 GAME RECAPS

Virginia State 76, Shaw 13
Virginia State continued its dominant run through CIAA competition with a commanding 76-13 victory over Shaw on Saturday at Durham County Memorial Stadium. The Trojans improved to 7-1 overall and 6-0 in conference play, while the Bears fell to 4-4 overall and 2-4 in the CIAA. Seven different Virginia State players scored touchdowns as the Trojans accumulated 598 yards of total offense and scored 35 points in the second quarter alone.
Quarterback Rahsaan Matthews Jr. delivered another outstanding performance, completing 17-of-23 passes for 305 yards and five touchdowns without an interception while adding 33 rushing yards and a score. Brandon Rose accounted for three touchdowns, including two rushing scores, while Jaylen Pretlow recorded five receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns. Armon Fields added 94 receiving yards and a touchdown, and TJ Mordecai contributed 62 rushing yards and 43 receiving yards with a score. Virginia State averaged 10.3 yards per play and converted seven of its 10 third-down opportunities.
Defensively, the Trojans recorded six sacks and nine tackles for loss while forcing two turnovers and holding Shaw to 280 total yards. Mustapha Coly contributed a sack and forced fumble, while Tristan McCall and Brandon Rose each recovered a fumble. Shaw quarterback Alexander Marsh threw for 161 yards and a touchdown, while Trey Thorpe led the Bears with 67 rushing yards. Virginia State closed the contest with 21 unanswered points.
Up Next: Virginia State has a bye week this upcoming week.

Virginia Union 48, Bowie State 7
Virginia Union continued its impressive run through CIAA competition with a commanding 48-7 victory over Bowie State on Saturday in Bowie, Maryland. The Panthers extended their winning streak to six games, improving to 6-1 overall and 5-0 in conference play. Virginia Union dominated from the opening quarter, building a 31-0 halftime advantage and scoring in all four quarters.
Quarterback RJ Rosales delivered an efficient performance, completing 13-of-15 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Rosales connected with Juelz Cooper and Montrell Wright for touchdown receptions, while Ramon Brown added two rushing touchdowns and 76 yards on seven carries. Travon Tensley led the Panthers' ground attack with 124 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries as Virginia Union accumulated 428 yards of total offense.
Defensively, the Panthers limited Bowie State to just 137 total yards, including 45 passing yards, while recording four sacks. The Bulldogs broke through with their lone touchdown early in the fourth quarter, but Virginia Union responded immediately when Zyaire Tart returned the ensuing kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown. Freshman kicker Gage Miller connected on both field-goal attempts and converted all six extra points.
The victory strengthened Virginia Union's position in the CIAA championship race, while Bowie State fell to 3-2 in conference competition.
Up Next: Virginia Union returns home for Homecoming 2026 against Shaw on Saturday, October 24, at 1 p.m. at Hovey Field in Richmond, Virginia.

Johnson C. Smith 40, Lincoln (Pa.) 6
Johnson C. Smith continued its undefeated run through CIAA competition with a commanding 40-6 Homecoming victory over Lincoln (Pa.) on Saturday in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Golden Bulls improved to 6-1 overall and 5-0 in conference play, celebrating in front of their home crowd with a balanced offensive attack and another impressive performance from quarterback Damien Mazil.
Mazil threw four touchdown passes, connecting with Reginald Daniel for scoring strikes of 36 and 53 yards and Brian Lane for touchdowns of 28 and 16 yards. Alexis Rosario-Beltran opened the scoring with a 41-yard field goal and added a 43-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, while Kamarro Edmonds contributed a three-yard rushing touchdown. Johnson C. Smith built a 23-6 halftime advantage before outscoring Lincoln 17-0 in the second half to secure its fifth consecutive conference victory.
Lincoln (Pa.) found the end zone in the second quarter to briefly cut into the deficit, but the Golden Bulls responded with two touchdown passes before halftime and maintained control throughout the second half. Johnson C. Smith's defensive effort held the Lions scoreless over the final two quarters, securing the 34-point Homecoming victory.
Up Next: Johnson C Smith University will hit the road to Bowie, MD on Saturday, October 24, at 1 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium.
 
Fayetteville State 43, Elizabeth City State 7
Fayetteville State celebrated Homecoming with a commanding 43-7 victory over Elizabeth City State on Saturday at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The Broncos improved to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in CIAA play, while the Vikings fell to 1-7 overall and 1-5 in conference action. After surrendering an early touchdown on a 52-yard fumble return, Fayetteville State responded with 43 unanswered points to secure the conference victory.
Quarterback Jamir Dismukes led the Broncos' offensive attack, completing 18-of-22 passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Dismukes connected with Unique Kelly, Marcus Fleming and Calvin Parker for touchdowns, while freshman running back Malik Fuller contributed 73 rushing yards and a score. Fleming finished with a team-high seven receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown as Fayetteville State accumulated 357 yards of total offense.
Defensively, the Broncos limited Elizabeth City State to just 73 total yards and six first downs. Zyking Patillo recorded two interceptions, including a 50-yard return for a touchdown, and blocked a punt. Osirus Rhodes added six tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack as Fayetteville State finished with four sacks.
Elizabeth City State's defense provided the Vikings' lone touchdown on the opening possession, while John Earley led the team with eight tackles. Jordan McClure contributed 58 passing yards, but the Vikings struggled to establish offensive momentum against the Broncos' defense.
Up Next: Fayetteville State travels to Bluefield State on Saturday, October 24, for a 2 p.m. kickoff.

Winston-Salem State 43, Bluefield State 14
Winston-Salem State earned its first victory of the 2026 season with a commanding 43-14 win over Bluefield State on Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium. The Rams improved to 1-6 overall, while Bluefield State fell to 0-6. The victory also marked the first win for Winston-Salem State head coach Tory Woodbury at the helm of the Rams.
The Rams delivered their strongest rushing performance of the season, accumulating 340 yards on the ground and four rushing touchdowns. Jayvion Danzy led the offensive attack with a season-high 182 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries, including scoring runs of 39 and 64 yards. Quarterback Brayden Jeffries completed 7-of-10 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown, connecting with Jayden Grimes, who finished with three receptions for 101 yards and a score. C'Quarhion Mitchell and Jamison Funderburk also added rushing touchdowns.
Defensively, Winston-Salem State recorded a season-high five sacks and forced two turnovers while limiting Bluefield State to just 83 rushing yards. Mecca Carr-Bordeaux led the defensive effort with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble, while Christopher McCorkle returned a fumble 59 yards for a touchdown. Zymiere Dempsey-Freeman added an interception as the Rams scored 27 unanswered points across the second and third quarters to take control of the contest.
Bluefield State cut an early 9-0 deficit to 9-6 in the second quarter and added another touchdown in the fourth, but Winston-Salem State's rushing attack and defensive pressure proved too much.
Up Next: Winston-Salem State travels to Lincoln (Pa.) on Saturday, October 24, for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

CIAA FOOTBALL WEEKLY HONORS
The CIAA Football Weekly Honors for Week 7 of the 2026 season will be announced following voting by the CIAA Sports Information Directors Association (SIDA).
Quarterback of the Week: Rahsaan Matthews Jr. (Virginia State) 
Offensive Lineman of the Week: Christian Solomon (Virginia Union)
Receiver of the Week: Montrell Wright (Virginia Union)
Defensive Back of the Week: Zyking Patillo (Fayetteville State)
Linebacker of the Week: Ahmad Ross (Virginia Union)
Defensive Lineman of the Week: Osirus Rhodes (Fayetteville State)
Special Teams Player of the Week: Vy'Sean Royster (Virginia State) 
Rookie of the Week: Zyking Patillo (Fayetteville State) 
Offensive Back of the Week: Jayvion Danzy (Winston-Salem State)
 
ROAD TO THE 2026 CIAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
With the regular season entering its final stretch, the race toward the 2026 CIAA Football Championship continues to intensify as three programs remain undefeated in conference competition.
Virginia State leads the conference at 6-0 following its commanding victory over Shaw, while Virginia Union and Johnson C. Smith remain close behind at 5-0 in CIAA play.
Virginia Union extended its winning streak to six games with a decisive victory over Bowie State, while Johnson C. Smith continued its unbeaten conference run with a Homecoming victory over Lincoln (Pa.).
The championship picture will become even more interesting as Virginia State prepares to travel to Johnson C. Smith on October 31 for a matchup with significant implications for the conference standings.
The 2026 CIAA Football Championship Weekend will feature a four-team format, beginning with Friday Night Blitz, featuring the No. 3 and No. 4 teams, followed by Saturday's championship matchup between the No. 1 and No. 2 teams.
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 “MATISSE IN THE MORNING”: CIAA FOOTBALL COACHES LIVE SHOW
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.