Around the Web: Eagles are flying high in unpredictable CIAA

Eagles are flying high in unpredictable CIAA

 
Rachel Carter, News and Observer Staff Writer

Football is unpredictable, but in the CIAA, it's getting a little ridiculous. Conference favorite Fayetteville State is 0-2 in CIAA play. N.C. Central is undefeated with quarterback Adrian Warren firmly on the bench. Johnson C. Smith and Livingstone actually have won games.
Who knows what's going to happen this weekend? Here's a quick update on the CIAA.

N.C. CENTRAL

The Eagles (4-0, 2-0 CIAA) have positioned themselves as the favorites for the CIAA championship. In their first four games, the Eagles have embarrassed three nonconference opponents and topped Shaw. Saturday, N.C. Central survived Southern's 20-point fourth quarter to get its first win ever over a Division I-AA SWAC team.

And the Eagles are doing it all without Warren. Before the season, Warren quit football, only to change his mind the week of NCCU's first game. The senior quarterback, who led N.C. Central to the league title last season, has made only brief appearances because redshirt freshman Stadford Brown has performed ably.

Brown leads the CIAA with 214.2 passing yards per game and has completed 56.5 percent of his passes.

N.C. Central is at Bowie State on Saturday in a rematch of the 2005 CIAA championship game.

ST. AUGUSTINE'S

The Falcons (1-3, 1-1) are struggling despite another strong defense. St. Aug's showed how talented it can be in its 24-14 loss to Division II power Carson-Newman, but penalties and mistakes keep the Falcons from closing out wins. St. Aug's is losing 127.8 yards per game in penalties.

The Falcons have to score more. They recently made sophomore Brandon Franklin the starting quarterback, and they're the worst in the league with 42.2 rushing yards a game.

SHAW

The Bears (1-3, 0-1) had a brutal opening month with games against N.C. Central, Carson-Newman and Division I-AA Maine. Their win came against Edward Waters, an NAIA team, and they won only 26-20. First-year coach Darrell Nesbitt said the defense has been consistent, but the offense is finally coming together.

The Bears have to stop turnovers. They have thrown eight interceptions and lost six fumbles.

SATURDAY'S GAMES

N.C. Central at Bowie State, 1 p.m.

Elizabeth City State at St. Augustine's, 1 p.m.

Fayetteville State at Virginia State, 1:30 p.m.

Johnson C. Smith at St. Paul's, 1:30 p.m.

Shaw at Livingstone, 6 p.m.

Virginia Union at Central State, 1 p.m.

BY THE NUMBERS

0 - Conference wins this season for Fayetteville State, the preseason pick to win the Western Division

2 - Combined conference wins for Elizabeth City State, Livingstone and Johnson C. Smith for 2005 season

3 - Combined conference wins for Elizabeth City State, Livingstone and Johnson C. Smith this season

5 - Overtimes needed by Johnson C. Smith to defeat Virginia Union 40-37 on Saturday

50,000 - Dollars donated by Willie E. Gary, chairman of Shaw's Board of Trustees, to rival St. Augustine's

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