CIAA Football Preview - Week Two

The Road to Durham and the CIAA Football Championship
"Bringing the Championship Game back to the Triangle"
The Championship Game - November 8

WEEK 2 - INTERSECTIONAL MATCHUPS HIGHLIGHT WEEK 2

September 3, 2008 

The CIAA enjoyed a weekend of highs and lows during the first weekend of the season. Fayetteville State and St. Augustine's knocked off North Carolina Central and Catawba respectively. However, both Johnson C. Smith and Virginia State lost to MEAC rivals North Carolina A&T and Norfolk State. Key intersectional matchups between Bowie State and Shepherd as well as Elizabeth City State facing off against Catawba highlight Week 2.

GAME OF THE WEEK: BOWIE STATE AT SHEPHERD: Bowie State got off to an exhilarating start to the '08 season lighting up the scoreboard for 51 points. Tailbacks Tariq Jones and Rodney Webb rushed for a combined 149 yards and QB Jason Scott added 167 yards passing to lead a balanced attack against Cheyney. However, the going will be a lot tougher against perennial power Shepherd. The Rams are currently ranked #13 nationally and are 32-4 over the past three seasons. The Bulldogs will have to be more stout defensively against Shepherd. RB Jimmy Sutch is a threat on the ground and QB Tyler Lazear passed for 1587 yards in 2007. The CIAA has been moved to the East Region so this is an important regional matchup. (1:00 p.m. at Shepherdstown, WV).

Players to watch: (Bowie State: QB Jason Scott; RB Rodney Webb; WR Anthony Howe)  (Shepherd: RB Jimmy Sutch: QB Tyler Lazear; WR Ryan Lavin).

ELIZABETH CITY STATE AT CATAWBA: Elizabeth City State matched Bowie State's 51 point output and more by scoring 55 points of their own. Curtis Rich passed for 276 yards and three touchdowns in their 55-3 win over Chowan. The three TD passes bested his '07 output for the entire season. WR Dexter Manley also had a career day with 203 yards receiving and two TDs. Defensively, ECSU held Chowan to just three points in their CIAA football debut. Veteran DL Todd Irving led the way with a sack and two tackles for losses. Catawba suffered its first loss to a CIAA opponent when St. Augustine's knocked them off 14-7. The Vikings will look to keep their CIAA losing streak alive. (7:00 p.m. at Salisbury, NC).

Players to watch: (ECSU: DL Todd Irving; QB Curtis Rich; RB Dennis Hamilton)
(Catawba: OL Terrence Crosby; OL Hunter Carnes; DL Melquann Farr).

FAYETTEVILLE STATE AT PRESBYTERIAN: The Broncos' win over North Carolina Central was important for several reasons. First, they ended a three-game losing streak to their former conference rival and it was their first win over a Division I opponent. The Broncos' Defense was impressive against NCCU forcing five turnovers and scoring off a 79-yard fumble return and lateral. QB Ben Williams stepped in for Bryan Hardy and looked sharp passing for 12-16 and 123 yards. RB Richard Medlin added 95 yards rushing. Defensively, LB Terrel Allen led a strong defensive effort for FSU. However, Presbyterian will be a more difficult test for FSU. The Blue Hose lost to Wofford 38-21 in their season opener. QB Tim Webb passed for 351 yards including his favorite targets Terrence Butler and S.J. Werrell in the attack. LB Antwon Thomas leads the Blue Hose defensively. (1:30 p.m. at Clinton, SC).

Players to watch: (Fayetteville State: LB Terrel Allen; DB Jeff Gowdy; RB Richard Medlin).  (Presbyterian: QB Tim Webb; LB Antwon Thomas; WR Terrence Butler).

WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN AT VIRGINIA UNION: The Panthers' high-powered offense was grounded at East Stroudsburg. The 11 points scored by VUU was its lowest offensive output in the Lamar Little era. The Panthers will look to get Little untracked and back to his '07 form. Offensively, VUU will need to get the offense back to its balance of running and throwing. Defensively, the Panthers played well holding ESU to 14 points. They will need to maintain that consistency. The Bobcats lost their season opener to Southern Connecticut. (4:00 p.m. at Richmond).

Players to watch: (West Virginia Wesleyan: RB Aaron Echard; QB Harry Lorusso; WR William Schiefelbein).
(Virginia Union: QB Lamar Little; WR Michael Hampton; LB Brandon Smith).

ST. AUGUSTINE'S AT CHARLESTON (WV): St. Aug pulled off the upset of the weekend knocking off #14 Catawba in Salisbury. The Falcons held the Indians to a mere touchdown in their 14-7 victory. Veteran QB Anthony Brown threw for only 88 yards but managed the game well. He kept the Falcons out of harm's way with turnovers. He will need to keep up his level of play as well as his defensive teammates to win at Charleston. The Golden Eagles fell to Tusculum 40-0 and will look to bounce back at home against the Falcons. (1:00 p.m. at Charleston, WV).

Players to watch: (St. Aug: QB Anthony Brown; WR Lendell Brown; DL Marcus Kennedy).  (Charleston: QB DeRante Hunter; WR Terrance Spencer).

JOHNSON C. SMITH AT VIRGINIA STATE: Both the Golden Bulls and the Trojans suffered disappointing losses in their season openers. JCSU will need QB Carlton Richardson to ignite the offense. He will look to his favorite receiver, Jeremy Franklin, to assist him. VSU RB Taron Hampton, ran for 122 yards but got little support from the passing game. (6:00 p.m. at Ettrick).

Players to watch: (JCSU: QB Carlton Richardson; WR Jeremy Franklin; RB Kevin Allen). (VSU: RB Taron Hampton; QB Leonard Johnson; P Brian Berry).

SHAW AT EDWARD WATERS: Shaw fought well in the first half of their contest at Albany State. The Bears actually led just before halftime. However, disaster struck for the Bears when ASU returned a 65-yard punt for a touchdown to close out the half. The Rams then commenced to shutting out the Bears the rest of the way. Shaw should have an easier time against Edward Waters, but can take nothing for granted after dropping a 31-30 contest to EWC in '07. This game is scheduled to take place at 5 p.m. However, Hurricane Hannah may affect game time in Jacksonville, FL. (5:00 p.m. at Jacksonville, FL).

Players to watch: (Shaw: RB Aaron Ellison; WR/PR Robert Brown; DL Louis Ellis).

CHOWAN AT ST. PAUL'S: Chowan had a tough opener at ECSU, falling 55-3. Things will not get any easier as they must travel to play a tough St. Paul's team. QB CJ Westler will look to his favorite targets WRs James Fox and Eddie Coard. St. Paul's lost a tough opener to Wingate 34-10. (1:30 p.m. at Petersburg, VA- Cameron Field).

Players to watch: (Chowan: QB CJ Westler; WR James Fox; WR Eddie Coard).
(St. Paul's: DB Gregory Toler; LB Clinton Gee; RB Jermaine Williams).

LIVINGSTONE AT SAVANNAH STATE: The Blue Bears lost a tough opener to Concordia 26-21. They must now prepare for Savannah State, who opened their season with a 20-7 loss against Jacksonville U. (7:00 p.m. at Savannah, GA).

Players to watch: (Livingstone: RB Rashaad Flucker: DL Ryan Reese).