Opening weekend for teams in the CIAA and the SWAC conferences were unkind on the gridiron. Both preseason conference favorites had major out-of-conference games to open their 2008 campaigns, and both emerged with losses that are sure to make for bruising practices this week.
Shaw University, the surprising 2007 CIAA football champions faced off against the Albany State Rams, one of the SIAC’s best teams in 2007. The Rams offense proved too much for the Bears, as ASU pulled away in the second half and held for a 27-10 home victory. The Bears had no problem establishing the run against the Rams, but were absolutely stifled through the air, completing only eight passes on the game for 50 yards. On the day, neither team managed more than 200 yards of total offense, but Albany State’s steady passing attack made the difference, as juniors Kissan Flakes and A.J. McKenna combined for 144 yards through the air and two touchdowns.
Shaw would not be the only CIAA team to finish the weekend in the loss column, as only three teams – Lincoln (Pa.), Bowie State and St. Augustine’s earned wins. For the SWAC, Prairie View A&M was the only team to emerge victorious with a win over conference rival Texas Southern.
In fact, of the four SWAC teams receiving first-place votes in the preseason predictions, Jackson State was the only team to lose by a single-digit margin on opening weekend. Alabama A&M, Grambling State and Southern all suffered losses of 20 points or more.
