Category: CIAA

Norfolk State Blitzes Winston-Salem State 56-0 in Dominant Season Opener

Brandon King

Image via The Winston-Salem Journal Norfolk State opened the 2026 football season with a statement. The Spartans overwhelmed Winston-Salem State from start to finish Saturday night, cruising to a 56-0 victory in their season opener behind a dominant offensive performance and a suffocating defensive effort. The victory gave head coach Michael Vick an emphatic start to his second season at the helm and marked Norfolk State’s first shutout since 2019. The Spartans also recorded their first 50-point performance since 2021. Norfolk State wasted little time establishing control. Quarterback Deljay Bailey…

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HBCU Football Is Back: 2026 Week Zero Schedule

Brandon King

The wait is finally over as HBCU programs across the country take the field for Week Zero of the 2026 college football season. The opening slate features teams from the MEAC, SWAC, CIAA, SIAC and other HBCU conferences, with several intriguing matchups scheduled throughout the weekend. From conference showdowns to nonconference tests, Week Zero gives fans an early look at some of the teams looking to make a run in 2026. 🏈 HBCU Week Zero Schedule Thursday, Aug. 27 Friday, Aug. 28 Saturday, Aug. 29 Sunday, Aug. 30 All times…

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Virginia Union Picked to Win CIAA as Conference Unveils 2026 Football Predicted Order of Finish and Preseason All-CIAA Team

Brandon King

irginia Union enters the 2026 football season as the team to beat after being voted the preseason favorite in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Predicted Order of Finish, announced during CIAA Football Media Day. The Panthers edged defending CIAA champion Johnson C. Smith for the top spot in voting conducted by the CIAA Sports Information Directors Association. Fayetteville State was picked to finish third, followed by Virginia State and Winston-Salem State to round out the top five.  2026 CIAA Predicted Order of Finish Johnson C. Smith led all programs…

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South Carolina State, Johnson C. Smith Headline Inaugural 2026 Preseason Black College Football Poll

Brandon King

Defending HBCU champions South Carolina State and Johnson C. Smith have been voted No. 1 in the inaugural 2026 Preseason Black College Football Poll, making history as the first programs to top the newly established national rankings. The poll, which is endorsed by the MEAC, SWAC, CIAA and SIAC, provides an official weekly ranking of HBCU football programs across NCAA Division I (FCS) and Division II. The rankings are determined by a panel of HBCU head coaches and media members and are designed to become the definitive benchmark for Black…

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Former UCLA quarterback Parker Mcquarrie commits to JSCU

Brandon King

Johnson C. Smith University has added a notable name to its quarterback room, as former 4-star signal caller Parker McQuarrie announced his commitment to the Golden Bulls. McQuarrie brings a unique football journey to Charlotte. Coming out of high school, he was rated a 4-star prospect by Rivals coming out of St. Paul’s (Concord, N.H), where he led the Pelicans to consecutive state titles in his first two seasons. He was regarded as one of the more highly touted quarterback prospects in his class and originally signed with UCLA as…

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HBCU GO Unveils 2026 Televised Football Lineup Featuring 13 National Broadcast Games

Brandon King

HBCU Gp announced their televised slated of football games for the 2026 season. The 13-game lineup, running from August 29 through November 21, continues HBCU GO’s mission of elevating HBCU athletics on a national stage through free streaming and broadcast distribution across multiple platforms. 🏈 Full 2026 HBCU GO TV Schedule Week 1 – Aug. 29North Carolina Central vs. Texas Southern Week 2 – Sept. 5Edward Waters vs. Jackson State Week 3 – Sept. 12Alcorn State vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff Week 4 – Sept. 19Tennessee State vs. Florida A&M Week 5…

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Bowie State announces 2026 Football Schedule

Staff

The Department of Athletics at Bowie State University has announced its 2026 football campaign, featuring four home games at Bulldog Stadium, a very competitive slate of Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) action, and two Division I nonconference matchups. The Bulldogs will open the season with four consecutive road games, beginning Sept. 5 at Virginia State in an early non-conference match-up. Bowie State will continue its schedule outside of conference competition with back-to-back Division I battles at Delaware State on Sept. 12, before traveling to Huntsville, Ala., for a program’s first ever meeting at Alabama A&M on Sept. 19. CIAA play begins Sept.…

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Curtis Allen wins the Harlon Hill award

Staff

Virginia Union running back Curtis Allen was named the 2025 Harlon Hill Award winner. The Hill award is regarded as the D-II equivalent of the Heisman Trophy and is the most prestigious award at that level.  Allen ran for 2,409 yards and 30 touchdowns and never ran for less than 108 yards in any game on the season, with a high of 369 yards against Bluefield State on 11/1. The 2,409 yards were only bested by the 2,446 racked up by Montie Quinn of Division III Curry College. His 30…

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Week 13 Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Mid-Major Top 7

Staff

There was a rarity in this week’s Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Mid-Major Division Top 7 in that there was no movement in the rankings, with all teams standing pat from the previous week. 7 Virginia State Trojans (6-4, 4-3) The Trojans of Virginia State University remain at the No.7 spot in this week’s rankings. VSU was last in action when they took on in-state rival Virginia Union and the Panthers defeated the Trojans 14-3. The Trojans finished the 2025 campaign 6-4, their fourth consecutive winning season dating…

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Chennis Berry on HBCU teams in D-II Playoffs: “it’s always great to see the HBCUs excel”

Staff

Five HBCUs earned places in the NCAA Division II Playoffs: Albany State, Benedict, and Kentucky State from the SIAC, and the CIAA’s Johnson C. Smith and Virginia Union.  South Carolina State head coach Chennai’s Berry, who has extensive roots in the SIAC, playing and coaching in the league, was asked his thoughts on the historic number of HBCUs being in the postseason and his thoughts on the level of football that is being played amongst the HBCU ranks, and here is what he had to say:  I have nothing but…

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