There was a host of movements in this week’s Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Mid-Major Poll. Outside of the top team, 5 of the remaining schools from the previous week now occupy a different slot, with a new team making its way onto the poll.
7. Clark-Atlanta ( 4-1, 3-1)
The Panthers of Clark-Atlanta University tumble to the bottom of the poll from their no. 2, after suffering the first loss in the Teddy Keaton era, a surprising 35-28 loss to Savannah State. The Tigers, who never trailed in the contest, outgained the Panthers in total offense 386-228, including 192 coming on the ground. The Panthers run game was stymied, as Clark-Atlanta ran for just 24 yards on 21 carries. Clark quarterback David Wright III has a statistically solid performance, completing 28 of 43 passes, but with the run all but nonexistent, the 201 yards and 2 touchdowns were not enough to overcome the Tigers. Clark Atlanta will look to get back in the win column Saturday when they hit the road to take on Central State. The Maruaders handily defeated the Panthers 48-21 in the meeting last season.
6.Livingstone College ( 4-2, 2-1)
The Blue Bears are a new addition to the polls, entering the rankings at no.6. In their most recent outing, Livingston rallied with 9 points in the 4th quarter to defeat Elizabeth City State 23-14. Livingstone’s Mohamed Nyanamukenga led all ball carries with 105 yards on 23 carries, while his backfield mate Calvin Scott added 69 yards and a touchdown on just 7 attempts. The teams ended the game with the same number of yards of total offense (277 yards), passing yards (137) as well as passing yards (140). The win was the Blue Bears’ second consecutive win, following their 31-17 defeat at the hands of Bowie State on September 21. Saturday the Blue Bears host Fayetteville State; the Broncos defeated Livingstone 19-14 in their meeting last season.
5.Shaw (4-2, 2-1)
In their most recent outing, the Bears defeated Bluefield State 35-17. It was Shaw’s running attack that led the way with 272 yards. Travon Tensley, the third leading rusher in the CIAA, paced the Bears with 123 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, while Travon Tensley, the third leading rusher in the CIAA, paced the Bears with 123 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, while Traquan Johnson chipped in with 11 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown of his own. CIAA Defensive Lineman of the Week Saveion Gibbs recorded 5 total tackles, one tackle for loss and a sack. Noah Gibson, who was named conference Defensive Back of the Week Noah Gibson recorded 6 tackles and an interception, which was his second consecutive week picking off a pass. Amon Tinley also recorded an interception, along with 3 tackles. Up next for Shaw is a meeting with no. 4 Winston-Salem State. WSSU defeated Shaw 41-20 in their last meeting, on October 14, 2023,
4. Winston Salem State (4-2, 2-1)
The Rams fall a spot to no.4. Winston-Salem’s 3-game winning streak was emphatically brought to an end via a 31-13 spanking at the hands of Virginia Union. Although the Rams did a good job of keeping Jada Byers in check, holding the All-Conference running back to just 40 yards on 12 carries, Virginia Union was still able to rack up 191 yards on the ground. As of late, the Panthers have had the Rams number, as Winston-Salem State hasn’t beaten the Panthers since slipping by them 21-20 on September 16, 2017.
3.Virginia Union (3-2, 2-0)
Virginia Union moves up two spots in this week’s rankings. The Panthers are coming off a convincing 31-13 defeat of then no.3 Winston-Salem State in their last outing. With Jada Byers held to 40 yards, Curtis Allen and Jerome Jones picked up the slack, combining for 112 yards on 17 carries. VUU quarterback Mark Wright had an efficient outing, completing 13 of his 17 pass attempts for 253 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. In addition to holding the Rams to 13 points, The Panther’s defense also put the clamps on the WSSU run game, limiting it to 69 yards, 44 of which came on a Trevon Hester scamper. Up next for Virginia Union are the Vikings of Elizabeth City State, whom VUU defeated 43-20 last season.
2.West Virginia State (4-1, 3-0)
West Virginia State climbed two spots in the rankings from the previous week. The Yellow Jackets outscored Fairmont 35-3 in the fourth quarter to transform a 31-10 deficit into a 45-34 victory. The Zillow Jackets racked up 587 yards of total offense. WVSU quarterback and reigning MEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, Isaiah Bess connected on 26 of 38 passes for 396 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception. Joel Felder ran for 98 yards and 3 touchdowns on 18 attempts and also caught 8 passes for 73 yards. Up next for the Yellow Jackets is Concord University, with whom WVSU has defeated in their last 7 matchups, including a 47-27 win last season.
1.Johnson C. Smith ( 6-0, 3-0)
The Golden Bulls remain seated atop the poll rankings for the fifth consecutive week. Johnson C. Smith defeated Virginia State 21-17 to remain undefeated on the season. Neither offense could get rolling, particularly on the ground, as neither team had a running back for more than 48 yards on the afternoon. JCSU quarterback Darius Ocean was 11-25 for 212 yards, 1 touchdown, and an interception. Up next for the CIAA’s top team is a bye week.
Dropped out: Virginia State Trojans-(2-3, 1-1)
Receiving Votes: Albany State Golden Rams (3-2, 3-0)-119, Miles College (3-2, 3-0)-117, Fayetteville State (3-2, 2-1)-101
