CIAA Preview Week Four

The Road to Charlotte and the CIAA Football Championship
"Returning to Charlotte after 25 Years"
The Championship Game - November 10

September 12, 2007

WEEK 4- CIAA TEAMS LOOK TO REBOUND IN FINAL WEEK OF INTERCONFERENCE PLAY

Hampton, VA - Last weekend was a tough one for the CIAA. However, the season must go on. Teams will have to lick their wounds and prepare for battle in Week 4. The conference season looms, however, all unfinished business outside of the league must be handled this weekend. The South Atlantic Conference has humbled the CIAA thus far in preseason. However, four contests between the two leagues will close out the nonconference season.

GAME OF THE WEEK: FAYETTEVILLE STATE AT CATAWBA: After their 34-26 loss to Wingate, FSU fans were optimistic that the Broncos may be able to bounce back from a dismal 2006. However, the Broncos laid an egg at North Carolina Central. QB Brian Hardy returns to provide a jolt to an FSU offense that was shutout against NCCU. However, Hardy played well against Wingate before suffering a concussion. The injury forced him to sit the next game. Defensively, the Broncos held up well against the Eagles. However, powerful Catawba will provide an even greater challenge to FSU. QB Brad Roach has been fantastic in wins over Elizabeth City State and Livingstone. He will look to complete his distinguished Indian career undefeated against the CIAA. FSU's title chances took a big hit when WR Daryl Barnett suffered a season-ending knee injury. Someone will have to take up the slack offensively. RB Richard Medlin has played well for the Broncos, however, he will need help from QB Hardy and the passing game. Catawba, one of the SAC favorites, looks to continue holding its CIAA opponents to a single touchdown (ECSU, 34-7; Livingstone 48-7). (7:00 p.m. at Salisbury, NC).

Players to watch: (Catawba: QB Brad Roach; DL Ron Ellington; RB Jamelle Cuthberson).(Fayetteville State: QB Brian Hardy; RB Richard Medlin; WR Bobby Wilder).

VIRGINIA UNION AT LIVINGSTONE: The lone undefeated CIAA team will look to continue their high-flying ways at Salisbury. VUU easily handled Central State 37-20 last weekend. QB Lamar Little has already accumulated 500 yards in total offense and will look to pad his numbers against a Livingstone team that is giving up 44.5 points per contest. WR Michael Hampton and Jarad Taylor provide a strong one-two receiving punch for the Panthers. QB Steven Williams will look to lead Livingstone as they open up their home schedule. RB Rashad Flucker leads the way for the Blue Bears on the ground. VUU should expect a battle, however. The Panthers escaped with a 14-12 win in Richmond last season against Livingstone.  This is the conference opener for the CIAA regular season. (6:00 p.m. at Salisbury, NC).

Players to watch: (Virginia Union: QB Lamar Little; WR Michael Hampton; DB D.J. Spellmon).(Livingstone: QB Steven Williams; DB Lionel Vincent; RB Rashaad Flucker).

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL VS. ELIZABETH CITY STATE: This is a rematch of last year's exciting CIAA Championship Game won by NCCU 17-14. Both teams hope to recreate the magic of 2006 in the bright lights of New York City. After starting their 2007 campaign 0-2, the Vikings look to jumpstart their season with a win over the Eagles. The 2007 CIAA favorites have yet to get their offense on track. QB Curtis Rich who lit up the airways last season has yet to throw a touchdown pass. RB Brandon Fields has not broken out as well. Defensively, ECSU will have its hands full with NCCU QB Stafford Brown. The Vikings look to end their nonconference season on a high note. This is the Whitney Young Classic. (2:00 p.m. at East Rutherford, NJ).

Players to watch: (Elizabeth City State: QB Curtis Rich; RB Brandon Fields; DB Justin Hamilton).

ST. AUGUSTINE'S AT CARSON-NEWMAN: The Eagles are arguably Division II's best team with an impressive win at I-AA Tennessee-Chattanooga on their resume. St. Aug's defense came to play last week holding NCCU to a measly six points. The DL tandem of Marcus Crump and Alex Hall is one of Division II's best. The problem is, the offense has only scored nine points in two games. Getting the offense untracked will be a difficult task against Carson-Newman. DL Andre Reese and LB Eric Rice lead a formidable Eagle Defense. QB Brandon Franklin will have to make some plays in order for St. Aug to hang in there. (1:00 p.m. at Jefferson City, TN)

Players to watch: (Carson-Newman: QB Alex Good; LB Eric Rice; DL Andre Reese). (St. Augustine's: QB Brandon Franklin; DL Alex Hall; DL Marcus Crump).

MOREHOUSE AT SHAW: The Bears won impressively at Miles in Week One. After a week off and facing Edward Waters, the Bears seemed poised for a 2-0 start. However, their domination of Edward Waters came to an end with a disappointing 31-30 defeat. The Bears look to get back on track against SIAC Rival Morehouse this weekend. RB Raymond Williams will lead the Shaw offensive attack. (4:00 p.m. at Raleigh, NC).

Players to watch: (Shaw: QB Matthew Stevenson; RB Raymond Williams; Tomarcio Levy).

JOHNSON C. SMITH AT CHARLESTON SOUTHERN: Johnson C. Smith will face their second I-AA opponent on the road this weekend. Charleston Southern has suffered two difficult opening season losses against the Citadel and Wofford. JCSU dropped its first road game of the season at Savannah State 24-10. Offensively, QB Carlton Richardson will need to restart the offense to help support the JCSU Defense. (1:30 p.m. at Charleston, SC).

Players to watch: (JCSU: QB Carlton Richardson; RB Marco Kirven; DB De'Audra Dix).

ST. PAUL'S AT TUSCULUM: St. Paul's won a squeaker against Chowan 33-32. The Tigers look to continue their winning ways at Tusculum. Last season, the Pioneers knocked off the Tigers 28-0. QB Dessein Jean led an impressive offensive output at Chowan. QB Corey Russell returns for the Pioneers. (1:30 p.m. at Greeneville, TN).

Players to watch: (St. Paul's: QB Dessein Jean; WR Morris Sadiq; DB Gregory Toler).

SLIPPERY ROCK AT BOWIE STATE: The Bulldogs have dropped two tough contests on the road. The Bulldogs look to get in the win column against their PSAC rival Slippery Rock.(1:00 p.m. at Bowie, MD).

Players to watch: (Bowie State: OL Jerrick Jeffreys; DL Sherman White; QB Jason Scott).