A Quick Preview of Saturday's Schedule of Games
Chowan at UVA-Wise, 12:00 PM
The Hawks are led offensively by a trio of preseason All-CIAA selections in quarterback Bryce Whitt, running back Tyrell Freeman, and offensive tackle Donald Boone, the conference's lone AFCA All-American selection last season. Chowan led the CIAA in total offense last season at over 500 yards per game and finished in scoring at over 41 points per contest. They'll travel to Wise, Virginia to open their season against UVA-Wise.
GAME PREVIEW: https://gocuhawks.com/news/2019/9/5/cu-football-week-one-top-offense-vs-top-defense.aspx
Bowie State at American International College, 12:00 PM
Bowie State will begin their journey to repeat as CIAA Champions on Saturday as they take the conference's longest road trip this week to Springfield, MA to face off with the Yellow Jackets of American International College. The Bulldogs defense led the CIAA in sacks last season and will feature 2018 CIAA Defensive Rookie of the Year and preseason All-American Joshua Pryor, who finished with a league-leading 9.5 sacks.
Saint Augustine's at Lenoir-Rhyne, 6:00 PM
SAU will travel to Hickory, NC on Saturday evening to face nationally-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne at Moretz Stadium. Preseason All-CIAA linebacker Joseph Harris, one of the league's top returning tacklers, will lead a Falcon defense looking to upset the Bears, who rank as high as eighth nationally in some preseason top 25 polls.
GAME PREVIEW: http://www.saintaugfalcons.com/news/2019/9/5/sau-football-visits-nationally-ranked-lenoir-rhyne-in-season-opener-saturday-game-notes.aspx
Shaw at Campbell, 6:00 PM
The Bears will also hit the road as they take on Division I FCS opponent Campbell in Buies Creek, NC under the lights. Led by reigning CIAA Defensive Player of the Year Devon Hunt, Shaw will look to pull off an upset over the Camels, who defeated the Bears 42-0 last season, in a game that'll be televised on ESPN+.
GAME PREVIEW: https://www.shawbears.com/sports/fball/2019-20/releases/20190904r775tc
Virginia Union at Hampton, 6:00 PM
Quietly receiving some preseason national pub from a few prognosticators across the country, Virginia Union will also look to be upset-minded as they travel to Hampton, VA to face off against Division I FCS Hampton in a game that'll be shown on ESPN+. The Panthers had a league-high six preseason All-CIAA selections, including one of the nation's top running backs Tabyus Taylor and a trio of defenders in Taj Conway, Quantaye Battle, and Sterling Hammond. They'll look to be sound on both sides of the ball again after leading the CIAA in both scoring offense and defense last season.
Virginia State at Norfolk State, 6:00 PM
A pair of old CIAA and in-state rivals will do battle as Virginia State makes the short trip to Norfolk, VA to take on Norfolk State in the Atlantic Union Bank Battle of the States. The Trojans, led by preseason All-CIAA pick Frank Ball, will look to pull off an upset against their Division-I opponent from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), a feat they pulled off back in 2017 when they finished the regular season undefeated on their way to a CIAA Championship and playoff berth.
GAME PREVIEW: https://govsutrojans.com/news/2019/9/5/vsu-football-prepares-to-take-on-nsu-spartans.aspx
Winston-Salem State at UNC-Pembroke, 7:00 PM
A game originally slated for Thursday night but moved to Saturday due to Hurricane Dorian, Winston-Salem State will hit the road to take on the Braves of UNC-Pembroke. The Rams will rely on a defense that returns five starters and finished third in the CIAA in total defense, second in scoring defense, and led the league in interceptions, including a nation-leading 11 picks from preseason All-CIAA safety Daryus Skinner.
GAME PREVIEW: https://www.wssurams.com/sports/m-footbl/2019-20/releases/20190902uei8rv
Livingstone at Clark-Atlanta, 7:00 PM
Yet another CIAA team on the road this week, Livingstone will travel down to Georgia to take on Clark-Atlanta in the heart of the Atlanta University Center. Despite their losing record, the Blue Bears finished 2018 as the CIAA's top unit in rushing defense and total defense led by returning senior Daventa Adams, who was second in the league with nine sacks. Adams, who also ranked among league leaders in tackles for loss, will look to lead Livingstone to their first opening day win since 2015 while also playing in his hometown of Atlanta. The Blue Bears are determined to reverse their fortunes as evidenced by Livingstone quarterback Miles Hayes' unique interview with Steven Gaither of HBCU Gameday late Thursday after watching Commemorative Classic rival Johnson C. Smith, where he made it clear that the Blue Bears "want all the smoke" and intend to prove doubters wrong this season.
Benedict at Fayetteville State, 8:00 PM
The lone CIAA team playing at home this weekend, Fayetteville State will host Benedict at Luther Nick Jeralds Stadium on Saturday Night. The reigning CIAA Southern Division Champions will rely heavily on one of the CIAA's top playmakers in running back Stevie Green and preseason All-CIAA special teams duo Brandon Smith (kick returner) and Tyeous Sharpe (punt returner). The Broncos will also lean on a defense that finished second in rushing defense and fourth in total defense in the CIAA as they look to return to their third CIAA Championship game in as many seasons.