Opening weekend for the CIAA had some shining moments as well as some slight short falls. I had a 4-2 opening weekend record and I will be tracking my progress throughout the entire season. Saint Paul's College and Bowie State both came up short on opening day but were within a hair of pulling out the victories. So my hat's off to Bowie State and Saint Paul's for great games played, even though you came up short in the end. Chowan was outmatched against a good Lenoir-Rhyne team, giving the CIAA an 0-3 record against out of conference opponents after opening weekend.
There are still plenty of out of conference games to be played, but the task becomes greater to beat out of conference opponents with tough teams looming.
In conference, was another story altogether. The teams that were supposed to win, won their games in convincing fashion. Elizabeth City, Winston Salem State, and Virginia State all won their games as predicted.
After the opening weekend of CIAA football, there was one thing that was undoubtedly clear, Winston Salem State is NOT a sixth place team, and for any CIAA Coach who faces the Rams this year, Coach Connell Maynor will do his best to let the other coaches know, you have enraged Winston Salem State for even thinking such a thing.
In what was labeled as The Furniture City Gridiron Classic, Winston Salem State thrashed Virginia Union 47-13 by putting on an absolute team clinic on both sides of the ball at AJ Simeon Stadium in High Point, NC. Flying under the radar at QB was UMass transfer, Octavious Hawkins, who threw for 18-23 for 207 yards and two TDs. The passing game was set up nicely by an impressive Rams ground attack and the CIAA rendition of Thunder and Lightning. Nicholas Cooper, Thunder and the bruising back, had 20 carries for 82 yards and 2 TDs, and Kayvonn Spriggs, Lightning and the speedy scat back, had 6 carries for 49 yards and 1 TD. The Ram defense was excellent as well. Virginia Union did not make it into the red zone until 1:03 left in the first half, and on the very next play, Winston Salem State forced a turnover. The Ram defense only allowed 56 yards rushing total against a Virginia Union team that was known for its potent running attack. Look for this Winston Salem State team to make some serious noise this year in the CIAA.
Elizabeth City looked impressive in their first game of the season defeating a pesky Johnson C. Smith team 45-27. QB, Creven Powell threw a 75 yard pass to East Carolina transfer RB, Deronte McNeil as the Vikings led 24-7 at the half. The most impressive player was on defense, DE Malcolm Jenkins finished the game with seven tackles (5 solo, 2 assisted), one (1) sack for a loss of three yards, two (2) and a half tackles for a total of 10 yards, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, two pass breakups and eight (8) QB hurries. Johnson C Smith QB, Ryan Carter also put some great numbers going 23-45-2 for 303 yards in the Golden Bulls loss to the Vikings.
The Trojans of Virginia State were able to handle the Blue Bears of Livingstone 30-6, spoiling the coaching debut of Elvin James. Sophomore QB sensation, Jarred Battle went 15-27 with 148 yards, 1TD pass and 2 TD runs. Virginia State was just short of completing a shutout. With :54 seconds left to play, Livingstone took the ensuing kickoff down to the Virginia State 8 yard line and scored two plays later.
There is only one conference game this week, Virginia Union looks to redeem themselves against a hard-hitting Shaw Bear team. This week, the CIAA will take on four FCS teams, two SAC teams, and one D2 independent team. The CIAA conference will have their hands full this week and their record against out of conference foes will not improve looking at this schedule. However, you must still play the game and in a couple of these games, CIAA teams will have a puncher's chance at pulling out a victory.
The CIAA Game of the Week
Virginia Union at Shaw
Shaw is coming into this game on a mission. There is a sense of unfinished business from last year's heart wrenching loss to Fayetteville State 29-28 that cost Shaw a chance to go to the CIAA Championship game. The reason, a snap sailed long over the punter's head, giving the Broncos of Fayetteville State the victory. Shaw led that game in every statistical category, but gave up five turnovers which sealed their doom. This year, Coach Darrell Asberry will have his team primed and ready for the upcoming season. Senior QB Travis Robinson should be the likely starter at QB, as should Junior TB and Toledo transfer, Raymond Williams. Look for the Bear defense to carry them into contention for the CIAA Championship. Shaw is ranked in several polls including a 5th place ranking in the Heritage Sports Radio Network poll.
Virginia Union was handled soundly last week against Winston Salem. The Panthers were a team coming back this year with a fierce ground attack, but against Winston Salem, the Panthers went away from the game plan and tried to throw the ball. In this business, if you are throwing the ball, you must continue to move the chains and get points, otherwise continually getting three and out will put your defense on the field. The Panthers had two good runs in the first quarter of 13 and 17 yards to the side of 6-8 335 OT David Mims, but stopped running the ball for some reason; and once Winston Salem was up, all the Panthers could really do is throw the ball. This week, Coach Michael Bailey goes against a Shaw Bear team that has a sound defense.
Shaw is determined to get back to the CIAA Championship game, but Michael Bailey and the Virginia Union Panthers will not make it so easy. They seek redemption from last week's slow start. This will be a great game, and the only conference game of the week.
Prediction: Shaw 28 Virginia Union 17
CIAA-v-Out of Conference
Fayetteville State at UNC Pembroke, Two River Classic
When you think of heated rivalries, you can now throw Fayetteville State versus UNC Pembroke in the mix. The two teams played a barn burner last year in which Pembroke pulled out the victory in Double OT thriller 41-34. Pembroke Coach, Pete Shinnick, has built a solid program going into his fourth year, amounting a record of 22-10 (.788). Last year, Pembroke ran for 300 plus yards on Fayetteville State as two Pembroke RBs had over 100 yards. This year, Pembroke returns 25 seniors from a team that last year went 9-2 and a D2 Playoff appearance. Pembroke is ranked in every D2 poll published and is ranked #24 on the D2Football.com poll. RB Travis Daniels should be a force to deal with this season and also QB Cory Smith. Look for Pembroke to have another great season.
The reigning CIAA champs open their season with the most brutal first four games in all of D2, and this weekend's matchup against Pembroke is a clear indication that Fayetteville State is taking the approach, "if you want to be the best, you have to play the best,"and Coach Kenny Phillips does not back away from anyone. He loves to be on top of the mountain and this will be a tough mountain to climb. However, this is a new look for the Bronco team, gone are last year's QBs Ben Williams and Tyler Hostler, gone are RB Calvin Harris and LB Marcos Esquivel. But the reigning champs don't rebuild, they reload. In steps, Wyoming transfer, QB Robert Benjamin, who last year was the starting QB when Wyoming played Texas. Yes, Texas! The team that played for the BCS national championship and Benjamin held his own. RB Richard Medlin returns to have a breakout senior season and pro football prospect DE Darius Powell. CIAA Special Teams Player of the Year, Austin Turner, is the best kicker in the History of Fayetteville State, and he should be a difference-maker in every game. Coach Phillips has amounted a 64-44 (.613) record while coaching Fayetteville State. Behind every great coach, there's also a great recruiting coordinator, and lots of credit, must be given to David Bowser, who works into the wee hours in order to reload talent. If the Broncos can win their first four games, this team is destined to make history.
Look for this game to come down to the wire again, as this history tends to repeat itself. The history I'm talking about here is the unranked road team, going into a hostile environment, playing against a ranked team with lots of seniors returning. Last year, Fayetteville State was ranked, had all the seniors returning, and was playing at home. I'm predicting the upset.
Prediction: Fayetteville State 31 Pembroke 28
Elizabeth City at Central Arkansas
Elizabeth City travels to Conway, AR for a Thursday Night Game against FSC Central Arkansas team that graduated 25 seniors. Elizabeth City looks great in their season opener, but Central Arkansas has too much firepower. Look for this game to be competitive in the first half, and Central Arkansas to pull away late.
Prediction: Central Arkansas 42 Elizabeth City 17
Johnson C Smith at North Carolina Central
Johnson C Smith QB Ryan Carter put up some good numbers in the opening weekend, and he should continue to improve against a familiar opponent, North Carolina Central. These two play on Thursday night in Durham in what should be a tune up game for Central's MEAC schedule.
Prediction: North Carolina Central 35 Johnson C Smith 14
Winston Salem State at North Carolina A&T, I-40 Showdown
Interstate 40 separates these two schools which are 30 miles apart. Winston Salem, coming off a huge victory last week, plays former MEAC rival North Carolina A&T. Winston Salem's offense is hitting on all cylinders and these two schools do not like each other. There will be some trash talking going on in this game, especially coming from A&T for the Rams leaving the conference. All records are out and pre-season hype is out the window for this game. Look for Maynor to keep A&T off balance.
Prediction: Winston Salem 17 North Carolina A&T 14
Chowan at The Citadel
Chowan did not look good in its season opener against D2 Lenoir Rhyne. This weekend, they are taking another step up against FCS The Citadel. I hope they tighten up their chin straps and no one gets injured in this game because it will not be pretty. This is a nice paycheck for the athletic department at the cost of its players. The game could be out of control by halftime. Heaven help them. Yikes!
Prediction: Citadel 56 Chowan 0
Bowie State at Morgan State
Bowie fell short this past weekend in a game I felt they could win. This Bowie team has a lot of talent, and if they play up to their potential, they could make some noise. This week's opponent is FCS Morgan State of the MEAC. The two schools are just 33 miles apart. This game will be a closer than anticipated contest.
Prediction: Morgan State 28 Bowie 21
Livingstone at Newberry
Coach Elvin James coaching debut was one he just wants to put behind him. This week he is playing a formidable opponent in Newberry of the tough SAC conference. Things do not get any easier for Coach James and the Livingstone Blue Bears.
Prediction: Newberry 42 Livingstone 7
St. Augustine's at Catawba
If History was to repeat itself, St. Augustine's would drive down to Salisbury, control the ball, and pull out a victory like they did two years ago. Last year, Catawba had a terrible season once QB Cameron Sexton went down for the season. Which Catawba team will show up?
Prediction: Catawba 21 St. Augustine's 20
Lincoln (PA) at Cheyney
This game will be played on Sunday. The two Pennsylvania schools are heated rivals and they constantly argue who is the first ever HBCU? While Cheyney was established in 1837 and Lincoln in 1854, Cheyney did not begin to offer college degrees until the 1930s, giving the distinct notion to Lincoln, as the first HBCU. But don't you dare tell a Cheyney graduate they are not the first ever HBCU. Look for the Roar to be restored, in game one, for Lincoln.
Prediction: Lincoln 27 Cheyney 21
I appreciate all the feedback I received in my week one article. If you have any questions or comments, please email me at: gilberto.alvarado@d2football.com
|
