DURHAM, N.C. – It seems like less than a month ago when we put together a “Way Too Early” preview of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. (Come to think of it, it was less than a month ago.) On the surface, status quo appears to be the rule in one of the nation’s oldest historically black athletic conferences. For the second straight season, Virginia State and Winston-Salem State were selected to win their respective divisions in the CIAA football coaches preseason poll. Yet, several challengers in both the North and South divisions look to pull off some upsets and shake the balance of power on the road to the CIAA title game in Durham on Nov. 14. With that in mind, let’s take an updated look at how the CIAA’s football teams stack up after the league’s media day on July 23.

Here are complete preseason rankings for every D2 Football team by BennettRank. Now let’s take a look at every CIAA football team as we head into training camp. [divider]

CIAA NORTHERN DIVISION PREVIEW

BR-160 Lincoln (Pa.) Lions

2014 Record: 1-9, 0-7 CIAA, 0-5 CIAA North Projected 2015 Finish: 6th CIAA North Head Coach: Herb Pickens (1st season) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 4 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 6 Since reinstating football and joining the CIAA in 2008, The Lincoln University has a 10-60 record, with four of those wins coming against Cheyney. Even more disheartening for the Lions: two of last season’s losses came against Division 3 opponents. The Lions are on their third head coach in the last four seasons. The first area where interim head coach Herb Pickens is looking to solidify is at quarterback, with seven players, including incumbent senior E.J. McKenzie, competing for the starting job. “E.J. has a lot of intangibles” that he brings to the table, Pickens said. “But, one position where we want the most competition is at QB, because we want the best player to come forward.” While the Lions have key skill players returning, including senior QB EJ McKenzie, junior RB Stephen Scott (216 rushes, 956 yards, 3 TDs) and WR junior Larquise Hobbs (32 catches, 351 yards, 1 TD), the offensive line suffered some losses. Lincoln lost three starting offensive linemen from last season to graduation, with junior left tackle Brandon Burrell the lone returnee. That’s not a good omen for a team that ranked last in offensive yards per game (268.1) and next-to-last in points scored per game (15.7). “The offensive line is going to be huge for us,” Scott said. “They’re going to play the biggest role on our team. There are a lot of things that went wrong that didn’t help us gell” last season, Scott said. “This year, we’ve come together, especially with the coaching change. We have a man we can trust and we feel like it’s going to be a great year.” Defensively, the Lions have six starters returning from last season from a team which recorded six defensive touchdowns. Junior defensive end Lejohn Phillips (5 TFLs, 2 fumbles recovered) is the lone defensive lineman returning, while junior Wadel Louis (4 TFLs) is the lone returning linebacker. Senior safety Brion Robinson (team-leading 74 tackles, 3 INTs, 2 defensive TDs) is one of three returnees for Lincoln’s secondary. Whether the team buys into Pickens’ philosophy as head coach will depend on how well they execute on the field. “We fell short when it comes to shooting ourselves in the foot,” last season, Pickens said. “That’s something we’ve focused on in the spring. And that’s something the young men are finally starting to see that was our downfall.”

BR-156 Chowan Hawks

2014 Record: 2-8, 1-6 SIAC, 1-4 CIAA North Projected 2015 Finish: 5th CIAA North Head Coach: Tim Paint (8th season, 22-48; 10th overall, 33-59) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 7 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 8 It’s been a long offseason for Chowan as they look to bounce back from last season’s 2-8 nightmare. “We’ve been wearing that 2-8 t-shirt for the last 8 months, Chowan head coach Tim Place said. “When you go 2-8, you feel like you’re 2-8. We took some steps back last year and that was frustrating. We need to learn from it.” Seven starters return on offense for the Hawks, who will be relying on senior Ryan Nolan to jump start their offense. Nolan, who accounted for nearly 1,000 yards of total offense and eight touchdowns between rushing, receiving and passing last season, looks to be the starting quarterback heading into camp and will be handing off to an inexperienced group of running backs this coming season. Junior Reginald Williams (11 carries, 32 yards) is the leading returning rusher with game experience, but he should be challenged in camp by junior transfer Tyree Lee (Old Dominion) and a pair of redshirt freshmen, Trevor Brown, Jr. and Brandall Riddick. Senior wide receiver Damian Ellis (20 catches, 214 yards, 1 TD) is the Hawks’ leading returning pass catcher. “You do a lot of self-reflection and quality control. The last thing you want to do is many any knee jerk decisions.” There’s nowhere to go but up for the CIAA’s worst defense (473.1 yards and 42.6 points per game), which returns eight starters. Senior defensive back Roderick Lindsey recorded 63 tackles (second most of the team) and four interceptions last season. The Hawks’ defensive front is anchored by senior defensive lineman Anthony Joffrion (5.5 TFLs) and junior linebacker Andrew Denny (67 tackles). Price is optimistic about his team improving this season. “We’re going to win as a team or lose as a team,” Price said. “Our expectations are on a daily basis to control the controllable and not worry about anything else but ourselves.”

BR-121 Elizabeth City State Vikings

2014 Record: 4-6, 3-4 CIAA, 2-3 CIAA North Projected 2015 Finish: 4th CIAA North Head Coach: Waverly Tillar (13th season, 65-63) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 6 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 8 Elizabeth City State qualified for the D2 playoffs in 2011 and appeared in the 2012 Pioneer Bowl. Since then, it’s been a struggle for the Vikings to right the ship, although long-time head coach Waverly Tillar is operating on the theory that “good things happen in threes.” With a senior laden squad, Tillar thinks his recruiting classes from three years ago have “reached that plateau and you’ll see the Mighty Vikings back in the hunt” and end their postseason drought. The VIkings have six starters slated to return this season, although quarterback will be a big question, as sophomores Daquan Neal and Jaquez Riles, neither of whom have game experience, are expected to battle for the starting spot under center. Junior Josh Joyner (39 carries, 135 yards, 1 TD) is the leading returning rusher for Elizabeth City. Senior Lovie Banks-Rose (45 catches, 512 yards, 3 TDs) anchors an experienced group of receivers, which includes seniors Antonio Huff (36 catches, 310 yards, 1 TD), Javoris Bryant (28 catches, 461 yards, 3 TDs) and Montario Hunter (16 catches, 377 yards, 2 TDs). A pair of underclassmen, junior Keon Brewer and sophomore Ostone Medeus anchor the Vikings offensive line. The Vikings are expected to return eight projected starters on defense, led by senior linebackers Stephen Williams (99 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 3 recovered fumbles, 2 INTs) and Tyrell Jones (62 tackles, 2 INTs). Elizabeth City’s defensive line is boosted with three returnees in senior Darren Wilson (8 TFLs, 3 sacks), junior Zach Taylor (10 TFLs, 3 sacks) and sophomore Jerrell Timmons (7 TFLs, 2.5 sacks). Senior defensive backs Maliek Wright (4 INTs) and Justin Beatty (38 tackles, 1 INT) are expected to power the Elizabeth City secondary. By the time the Vikings get to the divisional play, Tillar said, “the guys will be fine tuned, they will have grown up and we will be ready to take on that task starting with Virginia State.”

BR-92 Bowie State Bulldogs

2014 Record: 6-4, 5-2 CIAA, 4-1 CIAA North Projected 2015 Finish: 3rd CIAA North Head Coach: Damon Wilson (6th season, 31-30) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 9 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 11 Bowie State’s season ended one game short of the CIAA championship game last season. Head coach Damon Wilson brings back most of his starters from last season, however. “We have guys who are returning from last year, so we understand how to handle some success,” Wilson said. “That’s a good situation to be in.” Although tight end Khari Lee has graduated and moved on to the NFL, senior quarterback Trevon Bennett (54.8 percent completion, 1,308 passing yards, 10 TDs, 10 INTs) will have several veteran receivers at his disposal, led by seniors Gary Cropper (30 catches, 343 yards, 3 TDs) and Jamal Chappell (29 catches, 286 yards, 3 TDs). With Keith Brown and his nearly 600 yards from last season gone, senior Kendall Jefferson (537 yards, 7 TDs) and Kayvone Springs (261 yards) are expected to share the workload in the backfield this season. The Bulldogs return their entire offensive line, led by preseason all-CIAA selection Justin Nestor, who expressed confidence over how his fellow linemen have gelled. “We’ll be able to build off what we did last year,” Nestor said. “We should be able to put together some good plays this year. We’ve matured a lot and that experience from last year will help this year.” Bowie State returns eight starters to a defense which held opponents to 21.3 points and nearly 350 yards last season. The Bulldogs’ 4-3 defense is anchored by senior Anthony McDaniel, who recorded 10.5 of the team’s 27 sacks last season. “[McDaniel] is one of the best defensive linemen in the conference and probably one of the best in the country from a D2 standpoint,” Wilson said. Senior defensive back Curtis Pumphrey, who snagged a league-best seven interceptions last season, leads the Bulldogs secondary. Wilson said Pumphrey is expected to be a key leader to help the team “prepare from a back end standpoint.” While there are holes to be filled within the linebackers, junior Kevaughn Townsend (29 tackles) is expected to return. Watch for several young players to compete for starting spots, including junior transfer Joshua Davis-Stokes (Arkansas Baptist), junior Robert Burke, sophomore Brandon Rivers and redshirt freshman Damarco Spears.

BR-105 Virginia Union Panthers

2014 Record: 7-3, 5-2 CIAA, 3-2 CIAA North Projected 2015 Finish: 2nd CIAA North Head Coach: Mark James (2nd season, 7-3) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 6 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 4 In his first season in Richmond, Mark James took a 3-7 team to a 7-3 record; injuries at quarterback may have cost the Panthers a chance to compete for their first CIAA title since 2001. However, with the Panthers picked second in what is expected to be a competitive CIAA North, James welcomed the challenge. “Last season gave us a great opportunity to get a start of what we wanted to accomplish,” James said. “External expectations are always a good thing. If you’re not challenging yourself and the people around you, you’re positioning yourself to lose.” The competition for starting quarterback is expected to come down to junior Shawheem Dowdy (745 passing yards, 5 TDs, 5 INTs) looks to have the inside track to start as quarterback. Only two starters return to the Virginia Union offensive line. Senior Eric Shaw (228 rushing yards) and junior Jerome Robinson (267 rushing yards, 2 TDs) are expected to anchor the Panthers’ running game; while senior Jusse York (43 catches, 683 yards, 8 TDs) headlines the receivers. Although, in Dowdy’s opinion, there’s no one “superstar” on the team. “Everybody plays a role and no man is better than the other,” Dowdy said. “Everyone coming together and playing together is going to be the recipe for the success that we have,” James added. The big concern for the Panthers is lack of experience on defense. Only three starters from last year’s team return: junior defensive lineman Darrell Lamb (7.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks), senior linebacker Joseph Blanks (52 tackles, 7 TFLs) and sophomore defensive back Quamy Sparman (14 tackles, 1 INT). That’s not stopping the Panthers from believing they can match last season’s defense, which held opponents to 290 yards and under 19 points per game. “The expectations are still there,” Blanks said. “We set the tempo last year and we’re looking for the same thing this year.”

BR-53 Virginia State Trojans

2014 Record: 6-4, 5-2 CIAA, 4-1 CIAA North Projected 2015 Finish: 1st CIAA North Head Coach: Byron Thweatt (1st season) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 8 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 6 A CIAA team won an NCAA playoff game for the fourth straight year after the Trojans defeated NE-10 champion LIU Post in the first round, marking the longest such streak in the league’s history. When head coach Latrell Scott resigned during the offseason to take the head coaching job at Norfolk State, Virginia State turned to Richmond linebackers coach Byron Thweatt. Don’t expect the Trojans to make major changes in their game plan, however. “[Scott and I] have similar philosophies,” Thweatt said. “These guys can tell you we’re almost the same guy. I thought that was pretty unique to have that continuity and not miss a beat.” Much as Scott did during his three years in Petersburg, Thweatt is drawing heavily from Virginia’s high school talent pool. “I think some of the best [high school] football in the country is played in Virginia,” Thweatt said. “Why not tap into that market and get the guys who are local so their families can come see them play and they have that support. To get people in the stands from the local area is a good thing for Virginia State.” In returning 42 lettermen to this year’s squad, Scott certainly didn’t leave the cupboard bare for his successor. The Trojans’ offense, led by junior quarterback Tarian Ayres (2,132 passing yards, 15 TDs, 5 INTs), have several key returnees at the skill positions, led by senior wide receiver Javion Smallwood (59 catches, 979 yards, 7 TDs) and junior wideout Willie Stubblefield (34 catches, 271 yards, 2 TDs). Last season’s leading rusher, junior Kavon Bellamy (989 yards, 13 TDs) is poised to crack the 1,000 yard mark this coming season, though Thweatt was very high on sophomore Trent Cannon making an impact this season. Defensively, Virginia State returns all four starters from a secondary which recorded 18 interceptions (including five returned for touchdowns), led by seniors Dontrell Jones, Devonte Piggott, Tyrell Smith and Darion Thomas. While only two starters from last year’s front seven return, with junior Ray Priosse (8 TFLs, 2 sacks), Thweatt has confidence that some of his returnees, including junior Geo Feggins, and sophomores Malik Sexton and Brandon Lynch, will solidify the linebacker spots. As was the case last season, the Trojans will face perennial regional power California (Pa.) to open the season. “It’s very important to play an opponent of that caliber,” Thweatt said. “It’s a great measuring stick to see where we are as a football team.” [divider]

CIAA SOUTHERN DIVISION PREVIEW

BR-136 Saint Augustine’s Falcons

2014 Record: 3-7, 3-4 CIAA, 2-3 CIAA South Projected 2015 Finish: 6th CIAA South Head Coach: Michael Morand (2nd season, 3-6) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 6 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 4 The 2014 season for Saint Augustine’s might have been one of the most challenging faced by any team in Division II last season. Head coach Michael Morand became interim head coach after the Falcons’ 41-19 loss at Indiana (Pa.). Morand had been working for the Philadelphia Eagles prior to the season before being offered the offensive coordinator position with the Falcons. “The kids reported on Aug. 5, I got here on Aug. 12 as the offensive coordinator,” Morand said. “We were already behind the eight-ball. When I first got in here, I told the kids to believe in me, follow directions and try to get better day in and day out.” Although the Falcons finished 3-7 last season, it was better than many CIAA observers expected. “The one thing that I can say about my football team is they play for me,” Morand said. “We got better day in and day out. We’re not worried about who we have in front of us, we are just worried about what we do.” Adding to the optimism is that all five Falcons home games will be played on campus after the team played home games at several area high schools throughout the Raleigh-Durham area. “It’s going to be a blessing,” Morand said. “When you play at a high school, that’s a different feeling compared to be right on campus. You’ve got your s-a and your alumni coming out to support you; it’s outstanding for us.” Now, for the tough realities. The Falcons lost 45 letterman and have only six starters from last season returning. Junior quarterback Cyril Davis (55.6 percent completion, 1,686 yards, 11 TDs, 5 INTs) will have some talent in the skill positions, as the CIAA’s leading rusher, senior Rod Davenport (1,133 yards, 6 TDs), returns as does wideouts Jamal Parker (41 catches, 419 yards, 2 TDs), Jordan Turkvant (23 catches, 273 yards, 3 TDs) and Antonio Thomas (14 catches, 128 yards). Juniors Donald Brinkley and Brandon King anchor the offensive line. Defensively, the Falcons bring back senior defensive back Denzel Watkins (48 tackles, 1 INT) to solidify the secondary. Sophomore defensive linemen Chasz Crosby (7 TFLs, 2 sacks) and and Darius Goodman (13.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks) anchor the Falcons’ defensive front. While Morand expressed pride over his team’s success off the field – a CIAA-best 2.77 team GPA and 22 players with at least a 3.0 GPA – he hopes that carries over when his squad takes the field. “We’re doing the things that we need to do off the field,” Morand said. “Now we’re just trying to translate that on the field.”

BR-133 Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls

2014 Record: 3-7, 2-5 CIAA, 2-3 CIAA South Projected 2015 Finish: 5th CIAA South Head Coach: Kermit Blount (1st season; 22nd season overall, 106-113-3) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 5 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 7 A name familiar to long-time CIAA fans resurfaces as Kermit Blount takes over as Johnson C. Smith’s head coach. Blount, most recently the head coach at Delaware State, spent 17 years as the head coach at his alma mater, Winston-Salem State (1993-2009), including a four-year transitional period into the MEAC before the school returned to Division II in 2010. “We want quality young men who can help us get to where we want get to,” Blount said, adding that 43 kids joined the program since April. “We’re not going to settle, we’re going to compete. We want to be 1-0 on the 5th of September. But we’ve got to fight some uphill battles and get our kids acclimated to what we’re doing.” The Golden Bulls scored the fewest points in the CIAA last season (13.2 per game). Losing your top three rushers (senior Richard Brannon is the leading returning rusher; 14 carries, 21 yards) hurts a running attack that scored just one touchdown last season. Nor does losing the quarterback tandem of Kehan Wallace and Andrew Alexander to graduation doesn’t help the cause offensively. Meanwhile, nobody is going to confuse the hype among some in Golden Bull nation around Charlotte Victory Christian quarterback Jordan Lane with the hype surrounding that guy who played at College Station and landed in Cleveland whose name slips my mind (Johnny Manziel, I think). Blount, however, isn’t ruling out the possibility of Lane being under center when the Golden Bulls host Wingate on Sept. 5. “He may be the guy, but we’ll have to see when we get to camp,” Blount said. “I’m not opposed to playing freshman. This is a perfect opportunity for a true freshman to come in and play.” Senior wide receiver Fred Scott (47 catches, 488 yards, 6 TDs) is Johnson C. Smith’s leading returning receiver from last year, while senior left tackle Alvin Brown is expected to anchor a relatively young offensive line. The Golden Bulls defense will also experience a lot of turnover this season, though senior linebacker Austin Jacques (133 tackles, 18 TFLs, 2 INTs) is optimistic after offseason workouts. “When it came to offseason workouts, we came together as a team,” Jacques said. “Everything is up for grabs. It’s going to be a very competitive fall. The spirit of competition will really do some great things for us.”

BR-130 Shaw Bears

2014 Record: 3-7, 2-5 CIAA, 1-4 CIAA South Projected 2015 Finish: 4th CIAA South Head Coach: Robert Massey (3rd season, 13-17; 5th season overall, 15-35) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 5 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 6 Could last season have been an anomaly for the Bears, just five years removed from their last NCAA playoff appearance? Shaw’s offense struggled last season, in part because of injuries. The Bears managed 286.5 yards per game and just under 18 points per game, both 10th in the CIAA. “We lost a lot of kids to injury,” head coach Robert Massey said. “Hopefully if we can stay healthy, the guys that are returning will improve our chances of being a better offensive team.” While the Bears do have five returning starters on offense, including senior running back Marquise Grizzle, who is 333 yards away from the school’s modern rushing record (the program re-booted in 2003), junior transfer Travis Lock (Western Kentucky) is expected to challenge Grizzle at running back. The battle for the starting quarterback spot is expected to be “wide open” according to Massey. Five players, including senior returnee Quenton Rucker, are expected to compete for the spot vacated by Troy Folston’s graduation. Watch for junior transfer Sherman Ragland (Wake Forest) to challenge for a starting wideout spot. Defensively, junior Raheem Brahmwell (6.5 TFLs, 2 INTs) moves from middle linebacker to safety to help a depleted secondary. “Going from linebacker to secondary was an easy transition,” Brahmwell said. “I played defensive back almost my whole life. I knew the ins and outs of that position.” Even with Brahmwell’s move to the secondary, the Shaw defensive front returns most of their starters, including senior linebacker Roland Green (12 TFLs, 6 sacks) and junior lineman Dwight Campbell.

BR-145 Livingstone Blue Bears

2014 Record: 5-5, 2-5 CIAA, 1-4 CIAA South Projected 2015 Finish: 3rd CIAA South Head Coach: Daryl Williams (3rd season, 8-12) Projected Returning Offensive Starters: 4 Projected Returning Defensive Starters: 6 After recording their first non-losing season since 1999, Livingstone is looking to build upon their 5-5 record from last season. That’s hasn’t stopped head coach Daryl Williams from expressing one major concern: turnovers. “We have to do a better job of taking care of the football,” Williams said, alluding to the 32 turnovers, second worst in the conference and seventh worst in the nation. “We’re second [in the CIAA] on offense (431 yards per game), but as much as we turn the ball over, that’s the biggest thing we need to address. We need to try and finish games.” Some time away from football during the off-season gave Williams an opportunity to recharge and prepare for the upcoming season. “When I took a little time off, I did a little self-evaluation on myself, making sure that each player and each coach has passion” for the game, Williams said. The Blue Bears look to senior quarterback Drew Powell for veteran leadership; Powell, however, had 19 fumbles (11 lost) last season. That hasn’t dampened his enthusiasm about the coming season. “It’s a different vibe around the team” from freshman year, Powell said. “We feel like we’re actually able to do something instead of guys going through the season not expecting anything out of themselves. Guys expect to win now; we’re not satisfied with last season.” With 27 new players coming into the program, the