ATLANTA — There has never been a bigger opening gridiron conference weekend than the one about to commence on Saturday afternoon. The SIAC will have 12 of its teams play in 10 games across eight states, five nationally-televised contests and three games involving preseason nationally-ranked squads.
The Preseason SIAC favorite Albany State begins the league's start to the year Saturday afternoon (Aug. 30) in a 1 p.m. start at Shaw University before the fifth edition of the Red Tails Classic pits Tuskegee University facing Winston-Salem State on Sunday night (Aug. 31) on ESPNU in a 6 p.m. CT/7 p.m. ET kick wrapping up the contests.
With the 10 games over the weekend, the SIAC will have 12 of its 13 gridiron-playing members in action, the earliest to have that many teams play before September started.
The SIAC will have teams play as far north as Cambridge, Mass., Detroit, and Canton, Ohio. Along with those three northern states, games will be played in Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.
The entire nation and worldwide online will have plenty of SIAC football to consume. On Saturday, Allen at Morehead State and Edward Waters at Savannah State will appear on ESPN+, while Benedict can be seen on HBCUGo. Both Clark Atlanta and Fort Valley State will be on Urban Edge Network and Albany State on the CIAA Sports Network. The two biggest national broadcasts wrap up the weekend with Miles on the NFL Network and Tuskegee on ESPNU.
Adding fuel to the early season fire, four of the SIAC games will feature nationally ranked squads, while four others are within the BOXTOROW ratings. The marquee matchup of the opening weekend comes on Sunday afternoon from Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, where No. 24 Miles will battle No. 19 Virginia Union in a meeting of two 2024 NCAA Division II playoff teams.
Finally, the SIAC will get a good barometer right away with five games against the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and two games against Gulf South Conference (GSC) teams.
RV ALBANY STATE AT SHAW – CIAA Sports Network
Saturday, Aug. 30 at 1 p.m.
The Albany State Golden Rams travel to the middle of North Carolina for payback from last year's Week 2 meeting with Shaw University.
Trailing 26-16 after three quarters, Shaw outscored ASU, 27-14, in the final 15 minutes, including the game-winner with eight seconds left for the 43-40 come from behind win.
Both teams wrapped up 2024 with identical 6-4 records. ASU, which is 29-14 over the last four years, begins the year with Receiving Votes in the AFCA poll and No. 3 in BOXTOROW. Shaw doubled its victories last year from 3-7 in 2023 to now Receiving Votes in BOXTOROW.
ASU is led by the Preseason SIAC Offensive Player of the Year in quarterback Isaiah Knowles. The ASU QB threw four touchdowns and 262 passing yards against Shaw last fall. Knowles has four other Preseason All-SIAC First Team players in wide receivers Jamill Williams and Javion Jackson, running back Tiant Wyche and tight end transfer Gentry Sparks to throw the ball.
Shaw linebacker Quewon Hilliard received Preseason All-CIAA to lead the defense.
ASU aims to win its first season opener since a 2022 win over Mississippi College.
KENTUCKY STATE VS. CENTRAL STATE – SIAC Network
Detroit Football Classic
Saturday, Aug. 30, at 1 p.m. ET
In one of only two SIAC matchups of the weekend, Kentucky State and Central State will head northeast to the Motor City to the home of the Detroit Lions and Ford Field for the Detroit Football Classic.
Kentucky State aims to build up on its 5-6 campaign last fall, its most wins since it had a 7-4 mark in 2021. Central State looks to bounce back from a tough 1-9 record with new head coach Tony Carter now at the helm.
The Thorobreds hold a 17-3 edge in the series with the Marauders. KSU pulled out a 24-14 win in the series last fall and the two teams have split the last four years. Central State won the last time in the series with a 20-10 final in 2023.
Both teams have a Preseason All-SIAC First Team honoree to lead the defensive units with defensive back Lawrence McConnell of Kentucky State and Central State's defensive lineman Mike White.
CLARK ATLANTA VS. NO. 12 VALDOSTA STATE – Urban Edge Network
Week Zero Labor Day Classic
Saturday, Aug. 30, at 1:15 p.m. ET
The up-and-coming SIAC team against the traditional national power GSC team on a legendary playing surface. Teddy Keaton took a winless Panther team to a 7-3-1 mark and spot in the SIAC Championship game, while the powerhouse Blazers ran to the NCAA DII National Championship game before bowing out.
Clark Atlanta surpassed its win total of the three previous campaigns of five victories with its seven-win 2024. The Panthers went 6-2 in SIAC action and qualified for the SIAC title matchup, but fell 53-25 to the Golden Bears of Miles College.
Valdosta State, ranked No. 12 in the AFCA and No. 17 in D2Football, did not lose in 13 games before Ferris State claimed the DII Championship game. The Blazers are 25-3 over the last two seasons and have won their last nine games versus SIAC opponents in the previous eight seasons.
CAU turns over its offense to Jackson State transfer quarterback Zy McDonald, while defensive end Kurtis Waye anchors the defense.
MOREHOUSE VS. RV JOHNSON C. SMITH – ESPN+
The Essence HBCU Classic
Saturday, Aug. 30, at 4 p.m. ET
In the northernmost location of the opening weekend, Morehouse battles Johnson C. Smith in Harvard Stadium for The Essence HBCU Classic.
The Maroon Tigers make their second long northern trip to begin the year in a row. Morehouse faced NCAA DII playoff team Virginia Union in Canton, Ohio for the Hall of Fame Classic.
Johnson C. Smith comes off an 8-2 season and it is 15-6 over the last two seasons. The Bulls Received Votes in the Preseason AFCA poll and stands No. 2 in the Preseason CIAA poll and also No. 2 in the BOXTOROW HBCU DII rankings.
Morehouse is ready to build on its team. The Maroon Tigers have had three tough one-win seasons in a row while they were close to even at 4-6 in 2021.
Last fall, Johnson C. Smith scored a touchdown in the second quarter to go ahead, 14-7, and continued with a 23-6 second half and 37-13 final at Morehouse. The Maroon Tigers did claim the only other matchup coming on Sept. 19 of 2015 by a 37-35 final.
BENEDICT VS. FAYETTEVILLE STATE – TheGrio
Labor Day Classic
Saturday, Aug. 30, at 5 p.m. ET
In two similar programs the last two years, Fayetteville State plays in the Labor Day Classic at Benedict on Saturday evening. Both teams are trying to bounce back from last season after each making the 2023 NCAA DII playoffs.
After back-to-back SIAC titles, the Tigers fell to 4-6 for 2024. Benedict, though, is receiving votes in the Preseason HBCU BOXTOROW poll. Fayetteville State dropped to 4-5 a year ago after it donned an 8-3 record for 2023 is also receiving votes in the BOXTOROW poll.
Saturday will be the seventh meeting between the two teams with all six previous ones being won by the home team. The last contest was a Bronco victory, 35-21, in 2019. Benedict won the last time by a 20-19 tally in 2000.
Leading the Benedict charge, Preseason SIAC Defensive Player of the Year linebacker Ty'Metrius Patterson produced 53 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, three sacks and three forced fumbles.
FORT VALLEY STATE VS. NO. 23 UNIVERSITY OF WEST ALABAMA – Urban Edge Network
Week Zero Labor Day Classic
Saturday, Aug. 30, 5:15 p.m. ET
In the second part of a SIAC/GSC gridiron doubleheader, Fort Valley State and West Alabama will meet for the inaugural time. The two will complete a pair of Saturday games played on Birmingham's Legion Field.
Both teams have identical 14-7 records combined over the last two seasons, except the Tigers made the NCAA DII playoffs last season off their 9-2 years. FVSU recorded back-to-back eight-win seasons for 2022 (8-2) and 2023 (8-3).
West Alabama starts the year ranked No. 23 in the D2Football poll and Received Votes in the AFCA poll. Fort Valley State is ninth in the Preseason BOXTOROW poll.
Saturday is the third time in four years the Wildcats have started their season in the state of Alabama – from 2021 to 2023 FVSU took part in the Redtails Classic in Montgomery.
Cornerback Darnell Stephens earned a Preseason All-SIAC Second Team honor after he picked off four passes last year.
ALLEN AT MOREHEAD STATE – ESPN+
Saturday, Aug. 30, at 6 p.m. ET
The lone SIAC member playing up a level will be Allen when it treks to the northeast part of the Bluegrass State against FCS Morehead State.
The Yellow Jackets slid down to a 2-8 record last fall after it made some noise with a winning 6-3 campaign for 2023. The Eagles went from two to four to seven wins the last three years with a 7-5 final mark for 2024.
Saturday will be the two programs' first meeting. Morehead State started last season with a close 17-10 win over Central State for the first of five home wins in six games.
Allen will be led again by senior quarterback Jamir Dismukes, who threw for 1832 yards with 19 touchdowns and ran in for six more scores. Wide receiver Nanders Lawrence pulled 34 of those passes for 520 yards and five touchdowns.
EDWARDS WATERS AT SAVANNAH STATE – ESPN+
Saturday, Aug. 30, at 6 p.m. ET
The two SIAC members along the Atlantic Ocean coast renew their budding rivalry on Saturday evening. Edward Waters looks to rebound from a 3-7 season, while Savannah State tries to build upon a 5-5 mark.
SSU holds a 6-2 advantage in the short eight-game series against its I-95 foe to the south. Savannah State used two touchdowns in the first 1:21 of the fourth quarter for the comeback, 27-20k, victory in Jacksonville a year ago. EWU slipped past for a 26-25 victory in Savannah during the 2023 edition.
Receiving votes in the HBCU BOXTOROW poll, SSU will be guided by defensive lineman Xavier Esquillen and linebacker Gary Davis Jr. EWU has its strength on the offensive side of the ball with offensive lineman Desmon Self, wide receiver Makai Lovett and running back Johntarrious Thomas.
NO. 24 MILES VS. NO. 19 VIRGINIA UNION – NFL Network
Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic
Sunday, Aug. 31, at 4 p.m. ET
In the marquee matchup of the weekend of two preseason ranked teams, No. 24 Miles takes the field against No. 19 Virginia Union. The top-flight battle will also have a national audience on the NFL Network as its broadcast source.
Both the Golden Bears and Panthers made noise in the 2024 NCAA DII playoffs after winning their conference crowns. Miles (10-3, 8-0 SIAC) ran over each of its eight SIAC contests and clawed past Clark Atlanta in the league championship. The Golden Bears upset Carson-Newman, 14-13, but fell to national runner-up Valdosta State, 33-17, in the second round. Virginia Union won at both Wingate (34-31 OT) and Lenoir-Rhyne (44-12) before it also fell to Valdosta State (49-14).
In the preseason polls, the Panthers were picked to win the CIAA while the Golden Bears were slated fourth in the SIAC.
Despite Miles being a combined 17-6 the last two years, Virginia Union was 20-6 itself in that same time period and 36-11 in the last four campaigns.
Taking over the top backfield spot, senior running back Javonta Leatherwood rushed for 411 yards on 77 carries and 11 touchdowns and earned his Preseason All-SIAC First Team honor. The Panthers two Preseason All-CIAA members both transferred in from other CIAA programs in running back Travon Tensley and wide receiver Zyaire Tart.
TUSKEGEE VS. WINSTON-SALEM STATE – ESPNU
Red Tails Classic
Sunday, Aug. 31, at 7 p.m. ET
Completing the 10-game docket of Week Zero games, Tuskegee welcomes Winston-Salem State to Alabama for the Red Tails Classic on national TV's ESPNU.
It is the Rams first appearance in the Red Tails in the fifth playing of the Classic. Winston-Salem State comes off a solid 7-3 year and it enters 2025 fifth in the Preseason CIAA predictions and No. 7 in the HBCU BOXTOROW poll. Tuskegee dipped down to 5-6 last fall after it had winning seasons of 7-4 (2023) and 8-3 (2022) and began No. 3 in the Preseason SIAC poll.
The two foes have split the first six meetings. Winston-Salem State claimed the last one by a 23-20 final before Tuskegee prevailed, 28-13, in 2015.
The Golden Tigers placed seven players on the Preseason All-SIAC teams, including kicker Lorcan Ryans, who booted 13 field goals with a long of 47 yards and 64 points on the year.
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ABOUT THE SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SIAC)
The SIAC is a NCAA athletic conference consisting primarily of historically black colleges and universities with headquarters in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The SIAC includes 15 member institutions (Albany State University, Allen University, Benedict College, Central State University, Clark Atlanta University, Edward Waters University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Miles College, Morehouse College, Savannah State University, Spring Hill College, and Tuskegee University), which are located within a contiguous seven-state footprint (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio). The SIAC sponsors nine men's and seven women's sports and is a proud member of the NCAA Division II. For more information, visit www.thesiac.com.