Dr. Kenyatta Cavil contributed to this report
If Week 4 of the Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Mid Major Poll Rankings saw no changes amongst the top 3. However amongst positions 4-7, there was plenty of movement, with two new teams hitting the polls.
7. Virginia State ( 2-2, 1-0)
The Trojans enter this week’s poll at no.7, after being unbanked the previous week. In their most recent outing, VSU handily defeated Fayetteville State 35-18. Virginia State quarterback Romero Williams completed 10 of his 16 passes for 231 yards, 4 touchdowns, and an interception. Wideout Kevin Gayles posted 149 receiving yards on 3 catches, all of which were touchdown receptions. Up next for the Trojans is a tall task in the form of the undefeated Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith.
6. Shaw University (3-1, 2-0)
Shaw tumbles two spots to the no.6 spot after being throttled 42-7 by Virginia Union this past Saturday. It was a tough outing for Shaw quarterback Christian Peters, who connected on just 8 of his 22 passes for 125 yards with a touchdown and an interception. His 36.4 completion percentage was by far his worst on the season and the 125 yards were second lowest output of 2024. Traquan Johnson led all Show ball carriers with 55 yards on 14 carries. This Saturday the Bears meet the Big Blue of Bluefield State in the first meeting between the two schools.
5. Virginia Union ( 2-2, 1-0)
The Panthers enter this week’s polls at number 5. Virginia Union is coming off a 42-7 beat down of the number 4 ranked Shaw on Saturday, handing the Bears their first conference loss of the season. Controlling the clock for 35:55, the Panthers ran for 307 yards, with 173 coming from Jada Byers, along with a touchdown; Curtis Allen chipped in with 91 yards and a touchdown of his own on 17 attempts. VUU quarterback Mark Wright completed 19 of his 24 pass attempts for 294 yards 4 touchdowns and no interceptions. The Panthers face no.3 Winston-Salem State on Saturday; in their last meeting, September 28, 2019, Virginia Union edged WSSU 16-15.
4. West Virginia State (3-1, 2-0)
West Virginia State moves up two spots from the previous week’s poll. In their most recent outing, the Yellow Jackets handily dispatched winless West Virginia Wesleyan 48-22. Yellow Jacket signal caller Isaiah Bess completed 14 of 24 passes for 236 yards and 3 touchdowns. Running back Justin Pessoa ran for 133 yards and a score on 17 carries; fellow running back Joel Felder was productive in both the run and pass game, recording 63 yards and a touchdown on 14 attempts, while also hauling in 4 passes for 119 yards and 2 additional touchdowns. Saturday WVSU hits the road to face Fairmont State, who edged the Yellow Jackets 21-20 in their last matchup on October 28, 2023.
3. Winston-Salem State ( 4-1, 2-0)
Winston-Salem State hangs on the no.3 spot in this week’s poll. The Rams defeated Bowie State 28-14 in the First Responders Classic on Saturday. A 21-point second quarter proved to be the difference, as it propelled WSSU to a 21-7 halftime lead. The teams traded touchdowns in the fourth quarter to bring the contest to its 28–14 final count. Winston-Salem quarterback turned in a solid performance, completing 13 of his 25 pass attempts for 188 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. Up next for the Rams is a road time Saturday where Virginia Union awaits. The Panthers squeaked by the Rams in their last matchup September 28, 2019.
2. Clark-Atlanta ( 4-0-1, 3-0)
The Panthers of Clark-Atlanta remain no.2, the same position they held in last week’s poll. CAU is coming off a 38-28 road win over Lane College to remain unbeaten overall and within the SIAC. David Wright III completed 24 of 43 passes for 268 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. Trayveon Pinder paced the visiting Panthers with 87 yards and a touchdown on just 12 attempts; no other Panther ball carrier produced more than 12 yards. Receivers Jamal Jones and Armone Harris recorded 87 and 84 yards and a touchdown , respectively. The Panthers will look to remain unbeaten when they take on Savannah State on Saturday. The Tigers defeated the Panthers 28-21 in their encounter last season.
1. Johnson C. Smith ( 5-0, 2-0)
Johnson C. Smith remains perched atop the rankings for the third consecutive week. The Golden Bulls are coming off a 42-3 demolition of Bluefield State on Saturday. The Golden Bulls’ are getting it done on both sides of the ball, with the defense being ranked top in the CIAA against the run ( 63.5 yards per game), the pass ( 146.0 yards per game) and total defense ( 209.6 yards per game). Offensively, JCSU has the third most proficient run game in the conference ( 174.2 yards per game) , first in passing ( 257.4 yards per game) second in scoring (34.6 points per game) and second it total offense ( 431.6 yards per game).
Dropped out: Florida Memorial ( 1-2, 0-1), Fayetteville State ( 2-2, 1-1)
Receiving Votes: Livingstone ( 3-2, 1-1) – 118 Albany State ( 2-2, 2-0) -116 Miles College ( 2-2, 2-0) – 104
