CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - NOVEMBER 11 - DURHAM

August 23, 2006 

One of college football’s most anticipated matchups occurs Saturday as defending CIAA Champion North Carolina Central hosts three-time defending SIAC Champ Albany State. Albany State, arguably the finest program in black college football over the past three seasons, has been picked to win their fourth SIAC title by media and coaches. Also, Fayetteville State travels to Wingate in another important interconference matchup. Livingstone, Johnson C. Smith and St. Paul’s also open up their seasons on the road.

GAME OF THE WEEK: ALBANY STATE AT NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL:

The first ever "CIAA-SIAC Challenge" is the most anticipated season opener in years for both conferences. While both conferences squared off at season’s end at the annual Pioneer Bowl, this will be the first time that the CIAA and SIAC Champions have met on the field since the 2003 Pioneer Bowl in Atlanta. In that contest, Albany State handled Fayetteville State, 52-30. Last season, NCCU finished 10-2 winning its first CIAA Championship since 1980. The Eagles have compiled an impressive 18-4 record since 2004. The Golden Rams have been even more impressive since 2003 with a whopping 29-5 combined record including 11-1 in 2004. In 2004, the Golden Rams held the number-one ranking in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Poll all season before falling 38-24 to eventual national champion Valdosta State in the NCAA Quarterfinals. Both programs have been ranked high in preseason polls. Lindy’s ranks Albany State fourth nationally in its preseason poll, while Street & Smith’s ranks the Eagles third nationally in its preseason poll. Both schools return All-America candidates. NCCU returns RB Greg Pruitt (1,172 yards rushing), and OL Robert Duncan. Albany State returns DL Alton Pettway (9 sacks) and CB Marcus Jefferson (5 interceptions). The game winner will have a leg up on the top ranking in the Southeast Region later in the year. (6:00 p.m. at Durham).

Players to watch: Albany State: DL Alton Pettway; DB Marcus Jefferson; OL Micheal Livingston.

North Carolina Central: Greg Pruitt, RB; Brandon Gilbert, K; Derrick Ray, DB; WR Julius McClellan.

FAYETTEVILLE STATE AT WINGATE: The Broncos ended last season on an offensive roll averaging a jaw-dropping 44 points per contest. FSU scored 48 points against the number-one ranked defense in Division II, St. Augustine’s, in their ninth game of last season. The Broncos return All-CIAA Quarterback Jonathan Autry and his full compliment of receivers. However, FSU must return to its once-dominant defensive ways if it wants to win the Western Division. The Broncos will be challenged by a talented Wingate team which placed 11 players on the All-South Atlantic Conference preseason team. The Bulldogs return 17 starters from last season’s 5-5 team. A win Saturday for the Broncos will give a jolt to their regional rankings hopes. (1:30 p.m. at Wingate, NC).

Players to watch: Fayetteville State: QB Jonathan Autry; DB Anthony Hicks; DB Donte Wise.

Wingate: Dan Brooks, WR; Chris Conklin, TE; David Jones, DB; Tee Overman, DL.

JOHNSON C. SMITH VS. EDWARD WATERS: Much has been written about the Golden Bulls’ 24 game losing streak. All superlatives used to describe JCSU’s three-year streak, have been used. However, with an infusion of new talent, through high school recruits and college transfers, the Golden Bulls believe their winning ways are right around the corner...as in Saturday. JCSU will meet Edward Waters (3-7 in ‘05) in a neutral site contest in Greenville, SC and believe that the streak stops on August 26. Offensive stars Marquis Belton and QB Donja Goodson (sat out ‘05) return to bolster the Golden Bull scoring punch. (4:00 p.m. at Greenville, SC).

Players to watch: Johnson C. Smith: Marquis Belton, WR; Donald Haynesworth, DL; Donja Goodson, QB.

LIVINGSTONE AT LENOIR-RHYNE: Livingstone struggled in 2005 with only one win over rival Johnson C. Smith. However, The Blue Bears have infused some talent in their lineup and look to move out of the CIAA cellar. QB Jason Mitchell returns as does RB Tyrone Baisden to lead the Blue Bears’ offensive attack. Lenoir-Rhyne, picked last in the South Atlantic, was better than their 5-5 record in 2005. The Bears took North Carolina Central to overtime before falling 28-21. DL Benjamin McDowell will lead a formidable defensive attack for LRC. The Blue Bears will look to win their first road non-conference contest in several seasons. (7:00 p.m. at Hickory, NC).

Players to watch: Livingstone: Jason Mitchell, QB; Ryan Goings, DB; Tyrone Baisden, RB.

ST. PAUL’S AT LIBERTY: St. Paul’s was the surprise of the CIAA last season finishing with an impressive 4-6 record. The Tigers were in contention in the Eastern Division until the final week of the season. This season, however, St. Paul’s will not sneak up on anyone. I-AA Liberty will be a tough out for the Tigers. (7:00 p.m. at Lynchburg, VA).

Players to watch: Flordell Kissee, OL; Jerome Mann, DB; Greg Toler, DB.