The CIAA Championship Game 1970-2005:
"Celebrating the Birth of an Original"
The Championship Game - November 5 - Durham

WEEK 5 - BATTLE OF THE UNBEATEN!!

For the first time since 1988, three CIAA teams are unbeaten at the season's halfway mark. Bowie State, North Carolina Central and St. Augustine's all survived their nonconference slates and their conference openers. However, at least one of the unbeaten trio will fall from the ranks this weekend. Also, the last weekend of cross-divisional play features some exciting matchups.

GAME OF THE WEEK: BOWIE STATE AT NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL: In spite of their unblemished record, the Bulldogs have remained under the radar screen. Impressive wins at Morgan State and West Virginia State have still given BSU little fanfare. In spite of their national ranking (tenth in the Sheridan Poll), BSU is still looking for a signature win. Thus a win at NCCU would provide the perfect tonic. Meanwhile, the Eagles have been flying high in Durham. Wins against NC A&T, Lenoir-Rhyne, and Shaw have propelled the Eagles into the national spotlight (fourth in the Sheridan Poll). The trifecta of QB Warren, RB Pruitt, and WR Ross have been almost unstoppable. Warren, the reigning league MVP, has been outstanding and is one of the nation's top signal-callers. Pruitt provides much needed shake and bake at the tailback position. Torey Ross has developed into one of the nation's best receivers. BSU also sports its own set of "triplets" with QB Manigo, RB Redman, and WR Thomas. Redman, the league's leading rusher, is one of Division II's most complete runners. His combination of size, speed and agility is incomparable in the CIAA. This contest begins a three-game battle march for the Eagles whose next three opponents sport a combined 11-1 record. However, if they can remain unscathed, a top seed in the Southeast region could be the prize. Saturday's contest may be the finest matchup in the country...at any level. (4:00 p.m. at Durham).

Players to watch: (Bowie State: QB Lamar Manigo, RB Issac Redman, WR Glenn Thomas).
(North Carolina Central: QB Adrian Warren, RB Greg Pruitt, WR Torey Ross).

ELIZABETH CITY STATE VS. ST. AUGUSTINE'S: Who is the surprise of Black College Football?...You should not have to ask that question. Clearly, the Falcons have taken the league by storm and last week's 44-14 whipping of Virginia State cemented their status as a contender. QB Darrell Nesbitt's play has been spectacular thus far this season but it has been the defense that has carried the Falcons. St. Aug has only given up 26 points in four contests this season. Player of the Week DB Ivan Diggs has been a monster for the St. Aug Defense. LB Tyrone Pettaway has also been formidable. ECSU lost a heartbreaker at WSSU on Saturday. The Vikings fell on a last-second field goal 24-23. They must get up quickly as they play host to the Falcons in Rocky Mount. The Down East Classic should be exciting this year as ECSU looks to play spoiler and keep their divisional hopes alive. (6:00 p.m. at Rocky Mount, NC).

Players to watch: (ECSU: DL Greg Moore, QB Dan Herlihy, WR Chris Carter).
(SAC: QB Darrell Nesbitt, WR Eddie Montgomery, DB Ivan Diggs).

VIRGINIA STATE AT FAYETTEVILLE STATE: While their conference brethren have garnered all the attention in ‘05, three-time Western Division Champ FSU is 3-1 and very much in position to make their fourth straight Championship Game appearance. The Broncos got more than they expected against St. Paul's. FSU was lucky to get out of Virginia with a 23-13 victory. DB Anthony Hicks has played well and paced a tough Bronco Defense. QB Jonathan Autry has been workmanlike (9 touchdowns, 2 ints) and has led an FSU Offense still looking for a consistent running attack. VSU has given up 81 points in its last two outings and will find the going rough in Fayetteville. The Broncos have not lost at home to another CIAA foe since 2001. (6:00 p.m. at Fayetteville).

Players to watch: (VSU: K Musa Conteh, RB Nick Fleming, DB Sean Wade)
(FSU: QB Jonathan Autry, RB Amir Holding, DB Anthony Hicks).

LIVINGSTONE AT SHAW: The Bears showed signs of life in the second half against NCCU. QB Jermonty Kimbrough looked like his old ‘04 self in rallying the troops for three second-half touchdowns. Fortunately for SU, they still control their own divisional destiny. Unfortunately, however, they may have to win out if they look to defend their title. SU must revive its once powerful running game if they look to get back on track. Livingstone has fought well in the last few weeks but has found its first win of the season to be elusive. The Blue Bears will look to knock off SU in Raleigh. QB Jason Mitchell and WR Chris Jeter have played well in ‘05 and must carry the offense. (1:00 p.m. at Raleigh).

Players to watch: (LC: QB Jason Mitchell, WR Chris Jeter, RB Tyrone Baisden).
(SU: QB Jermonty Kimbrough, WR Kenneth Robinson, RB Dion McIver).

WINSTON-SALEM STATE AT VIRGINIA UNION: VUU has quietly won two in a row after losing by large margins against FSU and Newberry. QB John Grier has played well during that stretch. RB Elihu Smith is the CIAA's second-leading rusher. WSSU has struggled to a 1-3 start and won their first contest via a last second field goal against ECSU. RB Martin Hicks played well against the Vikings, rushing for 155 yards. This is a pivotal conference contest for both teams. (6:00 p.m. at Richmond).

Players to watch: (WSSU: RB Martin Hicks, RB Jed Bines, QB Monte Purvis).
(VUU: QB John Grier, RB Elihu Smith, WR Michael Hampton).

ST. PAUL'S AT JOHNSON C. SMITH: The Golden Bulls appeared to be on the cusp of ending their victory drought against VUU. However, JCSU fell 15-7 to VUU. RB Andre Williams has been a bright spot for an offense that has struggled. The JCSU defense has fought to keep their team in games. St. Paul's played well against league heavyweight Fayetteville State on Saturday. That contest should serve as a confidence booster for the Tigers. RB Terrell Bailey and QB Walter Virgil lead the way for SPC offensively. Defensively, DL Johnny Sharpe and LB George Pope will look to continue the defense's steady play. (6:00 p.m. at Charlotte).

Players to watch: (SPC: RB Terrell Bailey, QB Walter Virgil, LB Mario Woods).
(JCSU: WR Marquis Belton, RB Andre Williams).