CIAA Football Preview - Week 3

CIAA FOOTBALL 2006: "THE YEAR OF THE QUARTERBACK"
CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - NOVEMBER 11 - DURHAM

The CIAA Football Season, in only Week 3, is already brimming over with excitement. Without question, the story of 2006 thus far is Johnson C. Smith. The Golden Bulls ended a 24-game, three-year losing streak last weekend and then followed it up with a 23-20 upset of Glenville State. This weekend, the Golden Bulls face off against CIAA favorite Bowie State in Charlotte. Other important non-conference games are on the slate as well with Fayetteville State hosting defending South Atlantic Champ Presbyterian and Shaw visiting Carson-Newman.

GAME OF THE WEEK: BOWIE STATE AT JOHNSON C. SMITH: The Golden Bulls have waited a long time for a game like Saturday's contest...a must-win conference contest. After suffering the nation's longest losing streak, JCSU has broken out with a two-game win streak. Last weekend's win over Glenville State was improbable for a couple of reasons. First, Glenville State was 9-2 in ‘05 and second, the Pioneers handled JCSU 33-9 in Charlotte last season. However, this season, the Golden Bull Offense is more potent. Quarterbacks Carlton Richardson and Donja Goodson have revived the JCSU passing attack. WR Marquis Belton is also emerging as one of the conference's best with two touchdown catches early in ‘06. Charlotte will be buzzing this weekend with CIAA favorite Bowie State coming to town. BSU won its opener easily against West Virginia State, 38-0, but will face a fired up, partisan crowd in Charlotte. (6:00 p.m. at Charlotte).

Players to watch:
Bowie State: Lamar Manigo, QB; Durrell York, DL; Miquel Dean, DB.
Johnson C. Smith: Carlton Richardson, QB; Marquis Belton, WR; Brian Vaughan, WR.

PRESBYTERIAN AT FAYETTEVILLE STATE: Fayetteville State has struggled to meet its preseason expectations in 2006. The Broncos were unexpectedly shutout at Wingate and barely squeaked out a win against Virginia Union. QB Jonathan Autry has yet to have a break out game after his 2005 All-CIAA Season. Defensively, the Broncos rose to the occasion in the second half against the Panthers led by DB Donte Wise. Presbyterian, the ‘05 South Atlantic Champ, was shocked last weekend by Charleston Southern. The Blue Hose easily handled FSU last season

35-6 in Clinton, SC. This is the Blue Hose's return trip to FSU. This is a pivotal out-of-conference contest for FSU and one that will affect both teams' regional ranking hopes.

(6:00 p.m. at Fayetteville).

Players to watch:
Presbyterian: Mitch Doolittle, QB; Justin Durant, WR; Chetyuanne Reeder, RB.
Fayetteville State: Jonathan Autry, QB; Amir Holding, RB; Donte Wise, DB.

SHAW AT CARSON-NEWMAN: Shaw will be coming off an emotional loss at North Carolina Central on Sunday. However, this is not the time to let down. National power Carson-Newman will likely be an unfriendly host on Saturday. In spite of its 8-2 record, Carson-Newman missed the playoffs. However, a host of outstanding talent returns for the Eagles. QB Alex Rouse once again leads the Eagle Offense. Shaw exhibited a much more stern defense last weekend against NCCU than the one which gave up 45 points to Carson-Newman in ‘05. QB Jermonty Kimbrough threw for a tough 200 yards against one of the nation's best defenses, NCCU. If Shaw looks to return to its 2004 Championship form, the Bears must prove they can face down the nation's best. (4:00 p.m. at Jefferson City, TN).

Players to watch:
Shaw: Jermonty Kimbrough, QB; Damon Harrison, WR; Reginald Price, DB.
Carson-Newman: Alex Rouse, QB; Stephen Childs, WR; Ricky Harris, RB.

ST. AUGUSTINE'S AT VIRGINIA STATE: Lane, similar to JCSU, was on a two-year losing streak before knocking off Lincoln (MO). The Dragons followed up the win with a 20-16 shocker of St. Aug. The Falcons, coming off of last year's break out 8-2 season, missed the offensive production of QB Darrell Nesbitt and WR Eddie Montgomery. The Falcons will need to improve its offensive production going into their conference opener against Virginia State. The Trojans fell last weekend as well to Norfolk State 29-14 after winning three in a row against the Spartans. Both teams need this win in the worst way so they will not fall behind in their respective divisional races. (6:00 p.m. at Petersburg).

Players to watch:
St. Augustine's: Kevin Jones, LB; Duane Smith, WR; Kente Blount, LB.
Virginia State: Aaron Knight, DL; Jermaine Lafate, OL; Justin Buxton, K.

LENOIR-RHYNE AT NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL: Last season, NCCU escaped Hickory with a 28-21 overtime win. The win helped catapult the Eagles to their #2 seed in the NCAA Playoffs. This season, NCCU will be the prohibitive home favorite against LRC. RB Greg Pruitt will be difficult to handle for the Bears. In its last contest, LRC held off a game Livingstone squad 17-14. However, the offensive firepower of NCCU will be an even greater challenge with receivers Julius McClellan and Charles Futrell on the perimeter. This game has been designated a conference contest for the Eagles and will give them a firm grip of the Western Division lead going into their bye week. (4:00 p.m. at Durham).

Players to Watch:
North Carolina Central: Derrick Ray, LB; Robert Duncan, C; Sam Funches, OL.

CHARLESTON AT ELIZABETH CITY STATE: The Vikings will be coming off an impressive win against Livingstone. QB Rayburn Morris was on his game last weekend passing for a couple of touchdowns. The Vikings are also stout defensively with All-America candidate Maceo Thomas holding down the defensive front. ECSU will look to open its season 2-0 before next weekend's showdown against Fayetteville State. (3:00 p.m. at Elizabeth City, NC).

Players to watch: Rayburn Morris, QB; Maceo Thomas, DL; Greg Moore, DL.

CATAWBA AT LIVINGSTONE: Livingstone had hoped that its showing at Lenoir-Rhyne was proof of good things to come. However, a 26-0 loss to ECSU dashed hopes of starting a winning run. Catawba defeated Winston-Salem State 21-7 in its home opener. Livingstone will hope to get a win over its crosstown rival but Catawba has dominated the series. (6:00 p.m. at Salisbury, NC).

Players to watch: Jason Mitchell, QB; Tyrone Baisden, WR; Steven Williams, QB.

ST. PAUL'S AT GEORGE MASON: St. Paul's suffered an opening day loss at Liberty. The Tigers will hope to bounce back with a positive showing against George Mason.

Players to watch: Greg Toler, DB; Shaun Gutierrez, P; Chris Jackson, OL.