Category: CIAA

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

Bowie State and Kyle Jackson are parting ways

Staff

Title Image via Bowie State Athletics There will be a new man walking the sidelines for Bowie State football in 2026. The University’s Athletic Department announced Friday morning that head coach Kyle Jackson’s contract would not be renewed.  “On behalf of Bulldog Athletics, I want to extend our sincere gratitude to Coach Jackson for the meaningful impact he has made on our football program, both as a player and as a dedicated coach over the last 11 years,” said Clyde Doughty, Jr., Bowie State’s vice president for intercollegiate athletics &…

Read More

Week 11: Dr. Cavils Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Mid-Major Top 7

Staff

Week 11 of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab saw no new attendees to the proverbial party, with all 7 teams remaining the same from the previous week.  7 Virginia State Trojans (6-4, 4-3)  Image via Chris Waugaman Although they haven’t played since November 8, Virginia State remains at No.7 in the Week 11 rankings. In their most recent and final outing, the Trojans were bested in a defensive struggle 14-3 by Virginia Union. The Trojans have won 6 or more games in every season since the 2022 campaign. …

Read More

Johnson C. Smith ranked 11th and 13th in national polls

Staff

Image via JCSU Sports Information Courtesy of Johnson C. Smith Athletics WACO, TEX.– Ferris State started the 2025 season at No. 1 in the AFCA Division II Coaches Poll, presented by Hudl, and that’s how they finished the regular season. The Bulldogs beat Davenport, 44-23, to move to 11-0 and will host Northwood in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. Ferris State is 30-12 all-time in the playoffs with three national championships in 2021, 2022 and 2024.    Twenty-two of the 25 teams in the AFCA poll earned a…

Read More

Tickets for Johnson C. Smith/Frostburg playoff game now on sale

Staff

Image via JCSU Sports Information Courtesy Johnson C. Smith Athletics CHARLOTTE – The 2025 CIAA Football Champions Johnson C. Smith University Football Team is hosting their first NCAA playoff game ever! The Golden Bulls will play the Frostburg State Bobcats for the first time in school history in the first round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs. The Golden Bulls and Bobcats are set for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff inside the Irwin Belk Complex this Saturday, November 22.  Tickets are general admission for $30 (Online Sales), Senior/Military $25 (Box Office Only).…

Read More

Five HBCUs make D-II Playoff field

Staff

The field for the 2025 Division II Football Playoffs was announced and 5 HBCUs were amongst the 32-team field.  Albany State Golden Rams ( 10-1, 8-0)  The Golden Rams of Albany State are the No.1 seed in Super Region 2. Albany State won the SIAC Championship by defeating Benedict 22-16 on Saturday and claimed the automatic bid that went along with it. Albany State finished the regular season with a 10-1 record, with their only loss coming to a Division I opponent, Florida A&M, 33-25 on September 13. The Golden…

Read More

Fayetteville State to take on Winston-Salem State in regular season finale

Staff

The Game: Fayetteville State remains at home to take on Winston-Salem State in the final game of the CIAA regular season on Senior Day. The Broncos are 5-1 and currently tied for second place in the CIAA standings, playing for a chance to get to the CIAA Championship game. Kickoff at Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium is scheduled for 1:00 PM.  Head-to-Head History: Fayetteville State dropped last year’s game to Winston-Salem State 37-31 on the road in double overtime. FSU has won four of the last five games over the Rams and is…

Read More

Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Week 8 Mid-Major Top 7 Rankings 

Staff

Week 8 of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Week Mid-Major Top 7 saw movement in the upper realms of the rankings. The top 4 teams all occupy different positions from the previous week, while the bottom of the polls remained unchanged.  7 Edward Waters Tigers (5-3,4-2)  The Tigers of Edward Waters remain at No.7 in this week’s polls. In their most recent outing, the Tigers traveled to Atlanta, GA, where they spoiled Clark-Atlanta’s homecoming, defeating the Panthers in a high-scoring affair 55-41. The Tigers outscored the Panthers 28-7in…

Read More

Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBUC Sports  Lab Week 5 Mid-Major Top 7 

Staff

It was a very active week in week 5 of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Mid Major Top 7 poll rankings , with 4 of the 7 teams changing positions from the previous week, as well as a new team entering the fray.  7.Fayetteville  State Broncos ( 4-3, 4-1)  Fayetteville State enters this week’s polls after being outside the top 7 the previous week. The Broncos defeated Livingstone 38-14 last week for their fourth consecutive  win and remain undefeated in the CIAA. Fayetteville State is on bye this week before…

Read More