WEEK 6 – UPSETS IN WEEK 5 SET THE STAGE FOR THE BEGINNING OF DIVISIONAL PLAY

 "Celebrating 10 years: The Return of the Original
Conference Championship Game"
The Championship Game - November 7 - Durham, NC

WEEK 6 - UPSETS IN WEEK 5 SET THE STAGE FOR
THE BEGINNING OF DIVISIONAL PLAY  

Hampton, VA - In 2000, the CIAA brought back its Championship Game after a ten-year hiatus. This week, we will look back at the 2004 Championship Game when Shaw knocked off two-time defending Champ Fayetteville State to win its first title in 57 years.

Last week, upsets ruled the air as the two western divisional favorites were knocked off. The East, which appeared to be Elizabeth City State's to lose, is now appearing to be a knockdown, drag out fight to the finish.

ELIZABETH CITY STATE AT VIRGINIA STATE: Last Saturday's upset of Fayetteville State by Virginia State sent reverberations throughout the conference. First, it allowed Virginia State to remain in the race for the Eastern title. Also, with Shaw's loss, FSU had the chance to take control of the West. However, the Broncos now sit in a four-way tie for first place at the midseason mark. The Vikings ("the cardiac kids") won their second in a row on the last play of the game. Justin Hamilton's block of a potential game-winning field goal by St. Aug preserved a 29-27 victory. ECSU played without its star wideout Dexter Manley and was held to a season-low 172 yards by St. Aug. It appears Manley will be available for Saturday's critical contest, as will his whopping 32.7 yards per catch. Virginia State used big-play turnovers to knock off the Broncos in Fayetteville.

First, Alfred Ngauja returned a fumble for 95 yards and a touchdown. Kevin Allen followed up his teammate's heroics with a 58 yard interception return for a touchdown. The Vikings will be looking to win their fourth straight over the Trojans. VSU will be wanting to show the world that they are for real. (6:00 p.m. at Ettrick, VA).

Players to watch: (ECSU: DB Justin Hamilton; RB Cedric Blacknall; QB Creven Powell).

(VSU: QB Leonard Johnson; DL Brandon Fortune; DB Kevin Allen).

SHAW AT ST. AUGUSTINE'S: This crosstown rivalry has been unpredictable. Last year, St. Aug knocked off the two-time defending champ, 27-16. This year, Shaw enters the contest with its hopes of an undefeated season shattered by Bowie State. The Bulldogs knocked off Shaw 31-24 in double overtime. Now, the Bears' complete focus must be on the schedule. The next two contests could very well determine their season. First, it's their Raleigh rival St. Aug, then next week it's Western nemesis Fayetteville State. QB Joaquin Green has played like one of the conference's best as a freshman. He has thrown for 11 TDs already in 2009. He will need to score points to keep up with Shaw's potent offense which averages close to 40 per contest. Shaw is looking for leadership from RB Raymond Williams. In spite of St. Aug's 1-4 record, they are still in contention in the West because at 1-1 in the conference, they are tied for first in the West. (1:30 p.m. at Raleigh).

Players to watch: (Shaw: QB Brandon Landers; RB Raymond Williams; WR De'Andre Okonji).

JOHNSON C. SMITH AT LIVINGSTONE: The First Annual Commemorative Classic pits the Golden Bulls against 115-year old rival Livingstone. The Golden Bulls earned a much needed 24-20 win over St. Paul's. Entering divisional play, JCSU can look to staying in contention in the West if it can beat the Blue Bears. QB Ryan Carter has been a dual threat, passing for 670 yards and rushing for another 406. Livingstone is led by QB Steven Williams with 666 yards passing. The Blue Bears suffered a tough home game loss to Lincoln. The Golden Bulls will also look to RB Dedric Anderson to help the offensive cause. (1:00 p.m. at Salisbury, NC).

Players to watch: (JCSU: QB Ryan Carter; RB Dedric Anderson; WR Jeremy Franklin).

(Livingstone: QB Steven Williams; WR Chris Peoples; RB Marcel Roberson).

FAYETTEVILLE STATE AT CHOWAN: This is a must win for the Broncos to stay in the west division race; and a game Chowan will be ready. After a long road trip, the Hawks return home for the first time in over a month. Chowan has had a couple of close calls, but no wins to show for its hard work. The Hawks boast arguably the top passer in the league in CJ Westler. He accounts for over 307 yards of offense per contest. His receivers Robert Holland and Kevin Robledo are the most diminutive pair in the league. The Broncos lost their third straight home contest of the season against VSU. They have been their own worst enemy with turnovers and penalties plaguing them throughout the season. RB Richard Medlin had his first 100 yard rushing day of the season against the Trojans. He will need to reach his 2008 level of consistency in order for the Broncos to capture their first western division crown since 2004. (6:00 p.m. at Murfreesboro, NC).

Players to watch: (FSU: RB Richard Medlin; QB Ben Williams; K Austin Turner).

(Chowan: QB CJ Westler; WR Robert Holland; WR Kevin Robledo).

VIRGINIA UNION AT ST. PAUL'S: Two straight CIAA wins propelled the Panthers into first place in the East. The Panthers will be looking to get revenge against St. Paul's who upset VUU in 2008. VUU has been led by new QB Cheston Hickman. He passed for 445 yards and four touchdowns in his first two games as a starter. RB Alexander Stevens has filled in for Taurian Donaldson who was lost for the season. The Panthers open the eastern division schedule with St. Paul's and Lincoln, but close with Virginia State, Bowie State and Elizabeth City State. Their work is certainly ahead of them. (1:00 p.m. at South Hill, VA).

Players to watch: (VUU: QB Cheston Hickman; RB Alexander Stevens; LB Hurley Hemphill).

(St. Paul's:  RB Todd Shelton; WR Emory Addison; QB Alwan Lee).

BOWIE STATE AT LINCOLN: Bowie State shook up the CIAA world by ending Shaw's hopes of an undefeated season. RB Rodney Webb has been outstanding this season averaging 124 yards per contest. He is certainly a leading candidate for offensive player of the year. Lincoln won its first contest against a CIAA opponent since its return to Division II play. The Lions knocked off Livingstone 10-0. (1:00 p.m. at Lincoln University, PA).

Remembering the Championship Game:
A Look Back at the Last 10 years

The 2004 Championship Game: November 6, 2004

Durham, NC - The Bears' nation-leading defense held the Broncos to 192 yards of total offense, leading Shaw to a 10-7 victory over two-time defending Champ FSU. The Broncos started off the first quarter with a bang. Daryl Bright caught a seven-yard Jonathan Autry pass to open up the scoring and the Broncos appeared on their way to a third straight CIAA crown. The first quarter score would be FSU's only one of the day.

The suffocating Bear defense answered with a 31-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown to close the first quarter. The score would remain locked at 7-7 going into halftime.

The Bears added a 21-yard field goal in the third quarter, which would stand. The Broncos attempted a last-minute winning drive, moving all the way to the Shaw 30. However, Shaw would not allow the Bronco offense to penetrate any further.

This ended FSU's Championship Run after three straight title appearances. Shaw's title run was just beginning. This was the first of the Bears' three championship game wins (2007 and 2008).