CIAA Football Preview-Week 5: CIAA CONFERENCE SEASON BEGINS

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

WEEK 5 - CIAA CONFERENCE SEASON BEGINS

September 19, 2007

Hampton, VA - After a tough nonconference season, CIAA teams hope to right the ship during conference play. Only Virginia Union remains undefeated, and the rest of the CIAA is looking up at the Panthers. However, interesting interconference matchups are set for the weekend.

GAME OF THE WEEK: SHAW VS. ELIZABETH CITY STATE (Down East Classic): The Down East Classic is always one of the season's exciting events. This year, both Shaw and Elizabeth City State will be looking for turnarounds. ECSU has started off 0-3 and must begin winning if they look to return to the playoffs. Offensively, the Vikings have struggled. They have yet to score multiple touchdowns in a game this season. QB Curtis Rich, who tossed 21 touchdowns in 2006, has been shutout in that category this season. RB Brandon Fields, who rushed for nearly 1,000 yards last season, has yet to crack the century mark in any game this season. In order for ECSU to untracked offensively, both Rich and Fields must lead the turnaround. After Shaw's win at Miles, many were optimistic about the Bears' chances in the CIAA. However, consecutive defeats to Edward Waters and Morehouse have dimmed hopes. If either the Bears or the Vikings look to be playing on November 10 and beyond, the winning must begin on Saturday. (2:00 p.m. at Rocky Mount, NC).

Players to watch: (Shaw: QB Matthew Stevenson; RB Raymond Williams; DB Tomarcio Levy).
(Elizabeth City State: QB Curtis Rich; RB Brandon Fields; DB Justin Hamilton).

BOWIE STATE AT FAYETTEVILLE STATE: Both Bowie State and Fayetteville State, tabbed as Divisional Contenders, are winless and stumbling. The Bulldogs and the Broncos were both handled easily in defeat. The Broncos were competitive in their first contest against Wingate but have been outmanned against both North Carolina Central and Catawba. Bowie State has suffered tough defeats as well against formidable opponents. Like ECSU and Shaw, both FSU and Bowie State's backs are against the wall. (6:00 p.m. at Fayetteville, NC).

Players to watch: (Bowie State: OL Jerrick Jeffreys; DL Sherman White: QB Jason Scott). (Fayetteville State: QB Brian Hardy; RB Richard Medlin; WR Bobby Wilder).

JOHNSON C. SMITH AT ST. AUGUSTINE'S: The Golden Bulls are looking to recapture the magic of 2006. However, tough losses at Charleston Southern and Savannah State have JCSU sitting at 1-2 on the season. St. Augustine's has struggled offensively and got handled at Carson-Newman. Last season, JCSU suffered its only home loss of the season 15-9 to the Falcons. (1:30 p.m. at Raleigh, NC).

Players to watch: (Johnson C. Smith: QB Carlton Richardson; RB Marco Kirven; DB De'Audra Dix). (St. Augustine's: DL Alex Hall; DL Marcus Crump; QB Brandon Franklin).

VIRGINIA UNION AT ST. PAUL'S: The Panthers have been the lone brightspot in the CIAA thus far. QB Lamar Little has accumulated 799 yards in total offense and eight total touchdowns. The Panthers look to remain undefeated this season. (1:30 p.m at Lawrenceville, VA).

Players to watch: (Virginia Union: QB Lamar Little; WR Michael Hampton; DB D.J. Spellmon). (St. Paul's: QB Dessein Jean; WR Morris Sadiq; DB Gregory Toler).

VIRGINIA STATE AT LIVINGSTONE: This game will be played in Salem, Virginia. Both the Trojans and the Blue Bears look to get in the win column this week. (1:00 p.m. at Salem, VA).

Players to watch: (Virginia State: QB Michael Terry; RB Nick Fleming; WR Brandon Crump). (Livingstone: QB Steven Williams; DB Lionel Vincent; RB Rashaad Flucker).