CIAA Football Weekly Recap: Big Performances Highlight Week 2 Action
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Week 2 of the 2026 CIAA® football season featured conference victories, overtime drama and standout performances across the league as teams continued to build momentum heading deeper into conference play. Johnson C. Smith, Shaw, Virginia Union and Livingstone earned victories, while several programs battled Division I and nationally recognized opponents during the weekend.
Johnson C. Smith 31, Winston-Salem State 6
Johnson C. Smith improved to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in CIAA play with a commanding 31-6 victory over Winston-Salem State on Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium. The Golden Bulls held the Rams scoreless through the first three quarters while building a 24-0 advantage. Damien Mazil threw two touchdown passes to Brian Lane, including a 70-yard fourth-quarter strike, as Lane finished with 101 receiving yards. Fabian Duncan powered the rushing attack with 164 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, JCSU limited Winston-Salem State to one fourth-quarter score. Jamaris Stevens led the Golden Bulls with 10 tackles, a tackle for loss and a sack while adding a 57-yard interception return. Winston-Salem State's Jayvion Danzy scored on a two-yard run late in the fourth quarter before Christian Rutledge answered with a four-yard touchdown to secure JCSU's fourth consecutive victory over the Rams.
Up Next: Johnson C. Smith returns home to host Fayetteville State on Saturday, September 19, at 1 p.m. at the Irwin Belk Complex.
Valdosta State 38, Fayetteville State 9
Fayetteville State suffered its first loss of the season, falling 38-9 to Valdosta State on Saturday at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium. The Broncos moved to 2-1 after Valdosta State capitalized on three Fayetteville State turnovers, including two fumble returns for touchdowns. Quarterback Jamir Dismukes completed 12-of-25 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown, while Marcus Fleming caught four passes for 61 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown reception.
Defensively, Ryan Debow led the Broncos with a game-high 16 tackles, while Kadynce Watson added eight. Christopher Bentley recorded seven tackles and Fayetteville State's lone interception. The Broncos pulled within 21-9 in the third quarter before Valdosta State responded with 17 unanswered points to secure the victory.
Up Next: Fayetteville State travels to Charlotte to face Johnson C. Smith in CIAA action on Saturday, September 19, at 1 p.m.
Shaw 34, Ferrum 28 (OT)
Shaw improved to 2-1 with a thrilling 34-28 overtime victory over Ferrum on Saturday at Durham County Memorial Stadium. The Bears totaled 559 yards of offense, including 272 rushing and 287 passing yards. Quarterback Alexander Marsh completed 18-of-29 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, while Fabian Diggs powered the ground game with 178 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
After Ferrum took a 28-25 lead with 1:10 remaining in regulation, Shaw drove 58 yards to set up Benjamin Turner's 33-yard field goal as time expired, forcing overtime. The Bears' defense kept Ferrum off the scoreboard on its overtime possession before Marsh delivered the game winner with a three-yard touchdown run.
Up Next: Shaw hosts Lincoln University (Pa.) in CIAA action on Saturday, September 19, at 1 p.m. at Durham County Memorial Stadium.
Virginia Union 34, Chowan 19
Virginia Union improved to 2-1 with a 34-19 road victory over Chowan on Saturday in Murfreesboro, North Carolina. The Panthers produced 505 yards of total offense, including 251 rushing yards and 254 through the air. Quarterback RJ Rosales completed 13-of-22 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns, while Montrell Wright led the receiving attack with five catches for 157 yards and a score. Ramon Brown paced the ground game with 105 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
Defensively, Virginia Union recorded three sacks and eight pass breakups. Ahmad Ross led the Panthers with 10 tackles, while Jessiah Gildersleeve added four pass breakups. Virginia Union carried a 21-13 advantage into halftime and extended its lead to 31-13 in the third quarter.
Up Next: Virginia Union returns home to host Bluefield State in CIAA action on Saturday, September 19, at 6 p.m. at Hovey Field.
Delaware State 21, Bowie State 6
Bowie State fell to 0-2 following a 21-6 road loss to Division I Delaware State on Saturday at Alumni Stadium. The Bulldogs remained within striking distance throughout the first half, trailing just 7-0 at the break, before finding the end zone in the third quarter when Kyle Hawkins connected with Konner Blount-Foster for a 31-yard touchdown. Bowie State finished with 287 yards of total offense and controlled possession for more than 33 minutes.
Defensively, the Bulldogs kept Delaware State out of the end zone on three of its six red-zone opportunities. Ashton Mayeux led Bowie State with 11 tackles, including seven solo stops, while Khalil Travers recorded a fourth-quarter interception. Three empty red-zone possessions ultimately hurt the Bulldogs' comeback effort.
Up Next: Bowie State remains on the road to face Alabama A&M University on Saturday, September 19, at 6 p.m. CT in Huntsville, Alabama.
Mississippi Valley State 31, Lincoln (Pa.) 20
Lincoln (Pa.) mounted a strong second-half rally but fell 31-20 to Mississippi Valley State in the Chicago Football Classic at Soldier Field. The Lions finished with 345 yards of total offense and 22 first downs. Lorenzo Robinson led the way with 118 rushing yards and a touchdown while adding 48 receiving yards and another score.
After trailing 17-7 at halftime, Lincoln scored twice in the third quarter to pull within 24-20. Defensively, Brandon Robinson led the Lions with 11 tackles, while Brosnan Dukes added eight tackles and an interception. Dayone Fitch recorded two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss as Lincoln's defense forced three turnovers.
Up Next: Lincoln travels to face Shaw in CIAA action on Saturday, September 19, at 1 p.m. at Durham County Memorial Stadium.
Livingstone 44, Bluefield State 30
Livingstone earned its first victory of the season with a 44-30 win over Bluefield State on Saturday in Bluefield, West Virginia. The Blue Bears used explosive plays in all three phases, including a 92-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Malachi Adkins and a 65-yard punt return for a score by Ca'Lique Cunningham.
Bluefield State rallied to tie the game at 30-30 early in the fourth quarter before Livingstone responded. Brandon Edinburgh Jr. connected with Davyn Reid for a 71-yard touchdown with 5:28 remaining to put the Blue Bears back in front. Livingstone's defense sealed the victory when Velson Seide returned an interception 95 yards for a touchdown in the final minute.
Up Next: Livingstone returns home to host Winston-Salem State in CIAA action on Saturday, September 19, at 6 p.m.
South Carolina State 66, Virginia State 0
Virginia State suffered its first loss of the season, falling 66-0 to Division I South Carolina State on Saturday night in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The Trojans moved to 2-1 after opening the season with consecutive victories. Brandon Rose led Virginia State's rushing attack with 51 yards on five carries, while Vincent Ordenes recorded two receptions for 19 yards.
South Carolina State finished with 480 yards of total offense while limiting Virginia State to 114. The Trojans held the Bulldogs to 198 passing yards but struggled to sustain drives offensively, converting 2-of-11 third-down opportunities.
Up Next: Virginia State travels to Elizabeth City State for CIAA action on Saturday, September 19, at 1 p.m.
Elizabeth City State
Elizabeth City State had a bye this week and returns to action Saturday, September 19, when the Vikings host Virginia State at 1 p.m.
CIAA Football Weekly Honors
The CIAA has announced its Football Weekly Honors following Week 2 of the 2026 season. The weekly honors are voted on by the CIAA Sports Information Directors Association (SIDA).
Quarterback of the Week: Alexander Marsh, Jr., Shaw University
Offensive Back of the Week: Fabian Diggs, Shaw University
Receiver of the Week: Brian Lane, Johnson C. Smith University
Offensive Lineman of the Week: Savion Moore, Virginia Union University
Defensive Lineman of the Week: Joshua Jackson, Livingstone College
Linebacker of the Week: Jamaris Stevens, Johnson C. Smith University
Defensive Back of the Week: Ryan Debow, Fayetteville State University
Special Teams Player of the Week: Gage Miller, Virginia Union University
Rookie of the Week: Alexis Rosario-Beltran, Johnson C. Smith University
Road to the CIAA Football Championship
With another week of action complete, the road to the 2026 CIAA Football Championship continues as conference matchups take on greater importance and teams battle for position in the championship race.
The 2026 season will culminate with the CIAA Football Championship weekend, bringing together the conference's top teams for an opportunity to compete for the CIAA crown.
Fans are encouraged to continue following their teams throughout the season and support the road to championship weekend. Visit TheCIAA.com for championship and ticket information.
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.