The 2026 CIAA football season opened with eight teams taking the field, delivering a slate of high‑scoring contests that set an early tone for the year.
Virginia State University kicked off the campaign by overwhelming Barton University 44‑17, cruising to a 1‑0 record, while Fayetteville State University fought back from a 12‑point hole to post a 33‑20 victory over Shaw University.
The conference also saw other early winners, including Tusculum, Lenoir‑Rhyne and Norfolk State, each securing their opening triumphs as the schedule unfolded across the weekend.
Virginia State’s quarterback Rahsaan Matthews Jr. was a standout, completing 20 of 27 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns, a performance that earned him the league’s Quarterback of the Week honor.
Meanwhile, wide receiver Vincent Ordenes led the receiving corps with nine catches for 95 yards, contributing to the Trojans’ offensive rhythm and securing Offensive Receiver of the Week recognition.
Championship Weekend on the Horizon
The CIAA announced that the 2026 Football Championship Weekend will be held in Durham, North Carolina, in November, with tickets now available through TheCIAA.com. The event will bring together the conference’s top teams for a culmination of the season’s drama.
Beyond the on‑field action, the CIAA highlighted its role as the longest‑running African American athletic conference in the United States, a legacy underscored by its 12 member institutions spanning states from Virginia to North Carolina.