To be the champ, you’ve got to beat the champ. But so far this season, no one has been able to top Fayetteville State in CIAA football.
The Broncos, winners of the last five CIAA Southern Division crowns, took over sole possession of first place in this year’s league race with a 7-0 win over St. Augustine’s. FSU moved to 4-0 in the league with the victory, 4-2 overall.
Johnson C. Smith had been keeping pace with the Broncos, winning its first three CIAA games. But the Golden Bulls stumbled Saturday at Shaw, 21-10. The Bears earned their first league victory. Livingstone improved to 2-2 in the league, slipping past Winston-Salem State 23-21. The Rams also are 2-2 in conference.
Elizabeth City State plays in the Northern Division. The Vikings suffered a 42-20 defeat against Virginia Union on Saturday.
Fayetteville State 7, St. Augustine’s 0
Fayetteville State hasn’t been flashy this season on offense. The Broncos have only been averaging 16.3 points per game in conference play, winning a pair of games on last-second field goals.
One touchdown on Saturday — a 16-yard pass from Demari Daniels to Nig Fitzgerald in the third quarter — stood up in FSU’s latest victory.
The Broncos have been riding their defense. FSU held St. Augustine’s to 48 rushing yards, 189 total yards and only 3.2 yards per play. Dylan Morris led Fayetteville State in stops against the Falcons, earning eight. Elijah Casey had seven.
Coach Richard Hayes team still has to play Johnson C. Smith, Shaw, Livingstone and Winston-Salem State in the division. The championship hasn’t been locked up by any stretch. But getting wins any way possible keeps FSU in the driver’s seat for a sixth straight appearance in the CIAA title game.
Shaw 21, Johnson C. Smith 10
The Shaw Bears put a chink in what has been a magical season for Johnson C. Smith. Quarterback Patrick Blake completed touchdown passes to Ah’shaan Belcher (32 yards) and Navarreo Rorie (51 yards) to rally the Bears from an early 10-0 deficit. Jatoine Fields added a one-yard run for some fourth-quarter icing.
Johnson C. Smith came into the game with the third-stingiest defense in Division II. But Shaw did plenty of harassing of its own, sacking Bulls quarterback Robert Adams five times, picking off two passes and recovering three fumbles.
Saevion Gibbs had two sacks, for 15 yards in losses. Elijah Adams and Noah Gibson each had interceptions.
The Bears overcame three turnovers of their own.
India Pulphous, who made history last week by becoming the first female to kick an extra point in the CIAA, hit all three of her PAT attempts for Shaw.
Reggie Bryant caught a five-yard pass from Adams for the Golden Bulls’ only touchdown. Alejandro Morillo-Garcis kicked a 36-yard field goal. Jaquirius Smith and Jacobe Clement had interceptions for the Golden Bulls.
Livingstone 23, Winston-Salem State 21
One week after surprising Bowie State, Livingstone has itself a win streak. The Blue Bears (2-4 overall) jumped to a 17-0 lead but needed two field goals from Jason Zapata in the final 4:29 to hold off the Rams by 2 points.
Zapata’s first make from 39 yards away pulled Livingstone within a point, 21-20. His second came from 44 yards out with 27 seconds left, put the Bears ahead 23-21 for good. Zapata also had a 50-yarder in the second quarter.
Jymikaah Wells rushed for two short-yardage touchdowns in the opening half for Livingstone.
Gabriel Linen sparked Winston-Salem State with a 52-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter. RJ Mobley caught touchdown passes of two and 14 yards from Daylin Lee to give the Rams a brief lead with 9:19 left in the game.
Virginia Union 42, Elizabeth City State 20
Quinzel Lockhart caught touchdown passes of 95, 41 and four yards in the second half from Donoven Davenport, but the explosive plays weren’t enough for Elizabeth City State. Lockhart’s 95-yard reception broke a school record for longest scoring catch.
Donoven finished with 301 yards passing on the day but also threw four interceptions and was sacked four times.
Virginia Union led 28-7 after a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown by Donald Gatling. Lockhart’s final two TD catches pulled the Vikes within 28-20, but VUU tacked on two late touchdowns to pull away.
Jada Byers had a monster game for Virginia Union, finishing with 246 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Virginia State 44, Bowie State 16
Lincoln (Pa). 52, Bluefield State 44
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