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

CIAA DIVISIONAL RACES GOING DOWN TO THE WIRE

Hampton, VA - The Eastern Division Championship could be decided this weekend in Raleigh while the West still remains unsettled. With two weeks left to play before Championship Saturday, six teams remain in contention for the two available slots in the Championship Game. Critical matchups are looming this weekend with championship implications, however, only one contest can definitively decide a divisional representative for Durham on November 5.

GAME OF THE WEEK: VIRGINIA STATE AT SHAW: The Shaw Bears have come alive at the right time. With a brutal early schedule which included three of the top eight teams in the Southeast Region, many counted Shaw out of the Championship Game picture. However, Shaw has rebounded to win four in a row. With a win the Bears will clinch the East and have an opportunity to defend their ‘04 league crown. Virginia State has also played well down the stretch. The Trojans' 48-point output was their best in years and they seem to be playing on all cylinders going into their matchup with Shaw. Last year, these two teams played for all of the marbles in Petersburg and the Bears escaped with a 14-7 win. This season, Shaw will clinch the East with a win. Virginia State can clinch the East with a win and a Bowie State loss. QB Jermonty Kimbrough has been impressive down the stretch, but needs one more fantastic game to get Shaw into the postseason. (1:00 p.m. at Raleigh).

(Players to Watch: VSU: QB Michael Terry; RB Nick Fleming; WR Antwan Williams)
(Shaw: RB Dion McIver; RB Jermonty Kimbrough; DB Devin Chatman).

FAYETTEVILLE STATE AT ST. AUGUSTINE'S: The Falcons have retained the number one regional ranking for three straight weeks, but have not been impressive since their win at North Carolina Central on October 1. Last weekend, the Falcons escaped Salisbury with a 20-14 win against one-win Livingstone. The defending divisional champs will surely provide a more hearty challenge for St. Aug. FSU was almost the first victim of JCSU since 2003. The Broncos pulled out a 34-23 win. Defensively, the Broncos are clearly not their old selves. Running against FSU used to be a tough proposition, however, it is an offense's best option. Offensively, QB Jonathan Autry has played well for the Broncos, throwing 14 touchdown passes. Defensively, St. Aug is still one of the nation's best. However, they will face their toughest test since they downed the high-flying Eagles. (1:30 p.m. at Raleigh).

(Players to watch: FSU: QB Jonathan Autry; RB Amir Holding; WR Venon McHam)
(St. Aug: QB Darrell Nesbitt; WR Eddie Montgomery; RB Kenneth Snowden).

BOWIE STATE AT VIRGINIA UNION: The Bulldogs have fought their way into the Top 12 of the Southeast Region. However, they are on the outside looking in when it comes to the Eastern Divisional Race. The Bulldogs must win and hope that VSU knocks off Shaw in order to stay alive for postseason play. BSU pulled off an important 21-7 victory against upstart St. Paul's and must win Saturday in the Gold Bowl. VUU had been playing well until last weekend's debacle in Petersburg. VUU must jumpstart both it's offensive and defensive efforts in order to upset the Bulldogs. This is the Gold Bowl and it is a television game! Check your local listings. (1:30 p.m. at Richmond).

(Players to watch: BSU: RB Issac Redman; WR Glenn Thomas; DL Sterling Green).
(VUU: QB John Grier; RB Elihu Smith; DB Sean Nunnally).

LIVINGSTONE AT NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL: Once again, one conference blemish is costing NCCU. In order to win the West outright, they have to win their final two and hope St. Aug drops its last two...a difficult proposition. However, they appear to control their playoff destiny being ranked in the top three in the region. Last weekend's comeback win saved their season and left their Divisional Championship hopes alive. QB Warren's production has fallen off since his torrid start in September. The Eagles hope to use their last two contests against both the Blue Bears and JCSU to sharpen up their offensive output. (2:00 p.m. at Durham).

(Players to watch: LC: QB Jason Mitchell; DB Ryan Goings; WR Chris Jeter).
(NCCU: QB Adrian Warren; RB Greg Pruitt; WR Torey Ross).


ST. PAUL'S AT ELIZABETH CITY STATE: This game appears to be an even match on paper. While ECSU has stumbled to a 1-6 record, they have been in every game. St. Paul's with a 3-4 record has been a surprise. Two close losses to FSU and VSU knocked them out of playoff contention, but SPC will be a team to be reckoned with in 2006. Meanwhile, ECSU looks to double its victory total and win their all-important homecoming game. (2:00 p.m. at Elizabeth City, NC).

(Players to watch: ECSU: DL Maceo Thomas; DL Greg Moore; RB Dennis Hamilton).
(SPC: RB Larry Graham; QB Walter Virgil; DB Greg Toler).

JOHNSON C. SMITH AT WINSTON-SALEM STATE: The Rams lost their opportunity to win the West outright when they gave up a 14-0 lead to NCCU. However, they have slim hopes of winning the West; they must handle JCSU first. The Golden Bulls played well at FSU last weekend and are hungry for their first win in 2005. WSSU's ground attack is once again at full throttle with Martin Hicks and Jed Bines both averaging over 100 yards per contest. (6:00 p.m. at Winston-Salem).

(Players to watch: JCSU: LB George Pope; RB Anthony Daigle; WR Marquis Belton).
(WSSU: DB Nathaniel Biggs; RB Jed Bines; RB Martin Hicks).