Week 5 of the HBCU soccer season was highlighted by the primary full slate of convention video games within the SWAC, seeing one staff rise above all because the measuring stick.
The SIAC has a brand new high contender that was picked to complete within the backside half of the convention within the Preseason Ballot.
The hierarchy within the CIAA was barely modified with certainly one of its premier groups returning to the championship image with a press release win.
Lastly, an unheralded staff is on a win streak, however the jury is out on whether or not they’re a contender or a pretender.
Listed below are the 5 Takeaways from week 5 of the HBCU soccer season.
1. Alabama State makes a press release in opposition to Florida A&M
Alabama State put forth a press release efficiency in Bragg Stadium on Saturday, taking down Florida A&M in a 42-14 victory.
Their 28-point win margin is the most important for the Hornets in a convention opener since they beat Mississippi Valley State 41-9 in 2011.
Of their two video games in opposition to SWAC opponents this season (their recreation in opposition to Southern didn’t depend towards convention document), the Hornets have gained by a mixed complete of 72-21.
By way of 5 weeks within the 2025 HBCU soccer season, Alabama State has separated itself from the pack within the SWAC, cementing itself as a menace to take house the convention title.
Their offense has thrived below quarterback Andrew Physique, who’s rising as a high candidate to take house this 12 months’s Deacon Jones trophy.
With its rivals both at present not acting at their full potential or not well-equipped to compete for a championship, Alabama State is in a first-rate place to finish its 21-year drought within the SWAC.
2. Benedict’s versatile win over Clark Atlanta
One other staff that has had a transcendent season via 5 weeks is the Benedict Tigers, who improved to 4-0 this weekend following a dominant 59-24 win over Clark Atlanta.
This was not your common, on a regular basis dominant efficiency from the SIAC leaders, because the Tigers placed on one of the versatile performances seen in a very long time.
Benedict scored eight touchdowns in 5 other ways, together with a kickoff return, two fumble returns, a decide six, a rush, and three passing.
Being picked to complete seventh within the SIAC’s Preseason Ballot, the Tigers have been on an accelerated timeline again into championship rivalry following the departure of head coach Chennis Berry.
Their protection ranks among the many high models in Division II soccer (sixth within the nation in scoring protection), with its three defensive touchdowns in opposition to Clark Atlanta giving them a country-leading 4 thus far this season.
As well as, their two video games with Darius Ocean because the beginning quarterback have supplied solutions to what was beforehand a questionable offense.
At this tempo, Benedict can be a high contender to take house its third SIAC championship in 4 years.
3. Tough MEAC finishes
After what was a spectacular weekend for the MEAC final week, ending with a 4-2 document, together with three wins in opposition to FCS opponents, this weekend was tough by comparability.
MEAC groups completed with a 2-4 document with each contest ending by a margin of eight factors or much less. Of the 4 losses, three of the groups led getting into the fourth quarter.
Discovering itself main 31-20 at halftime and 31-28 in opposition to Sacred Coronary heart, regardless of a questionable ejection of quarterback Kaiden Bennett, Delaware State couldn’t maintain on as they had been shut out within the second half on its solution to a 35-31 loss.
Norfolk State surrendered a 13-0 first-half lead in opposition to Wagner, permitting three unanswered touchdowns within the second half, with a late turnover dashing its hopes of its first FCS win of the 12 months.
Lastly, Howard held a 12-0 lead on Richmond getting into the fourth quarter earlier than succumbing to 2 touchdowns in lower than two minutes and a missed go-ahead area aim.
North Carolina Central additionally practically fell sufferer to a late-game collapse after main 47-21 in opposition to East Texas A&M, permitting 21 fourth-quarter factors earlier than escaping with a 50-42 win.
4. Fayetteville State reintroduces itself
After a down season in 2024, the Fayetteville State Broncos have reintroduced themselves as a championship contender within the CIAA with a key win over certainly one of their high rivals.
The Broncos improved to 2-0 in opposition to the CIAA, taking down the reigning CIAA championship runner-ups, Virginia State, 34-14 of their house opener.
Fayetteville State’s protection overwhelmed Virginia State, recording seven sacks, forcing three turnovers, and limiting them to simply 45 speeding yards on 35 makes an attempt.
Final season, Fayetteville State completed with a 4-6 document, marking its first dropping season since 2016 and ending a seven-year streak of CIAA championship recreation appearances.
Dispatching certainly one of its high rivals, and doing so in a powerful efficiency, is an enormous first step to getting again to the championship recreation.
With all their largest exams going ahead occurring on their house area (Livingstone, Johnson C. Smith, and Winston-Salem State), it isn’t loopy to say the Broncos might discover themselves in Raleigh in November.
5. West Virginia State is quietly streaking
West Virginia State has quietly had a sizzling begin to its season, bouncing again from a loss within the opening weekend in opposition to Carson-Newman.
The Yellow Jackets have now gained three straight contests, culminating in a 60-39 win of their homecoming contest in opposition to Fairmont State.
This marked the primary time West Virginia State has scored 60 factors in a recreation since they beat Kentucky State 61-42 in 2018.
Regardless of dropping one of many high rushers in Joel Felder to the portal this previous offseason, West Virginia State has discovered a solution to make an influence within the run recreation.
They rank 18th within the nation with 220.0 speeding yards per recreation and have scored a Mountain East Convention-leading 11 speeding touchdowns.
Nevertheless, the important thing for the Yellow Jackets can be consistency, as earlier years have proven they generally tend to drop off because the season goes on.
That is now the third straight season they’ve began a season successful three of their first 4 contests. Within the two seasons previous this 12 months, they ended with a mixed 10-11 document.
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