Livingstone College’s football defense has been a key factor in their recent success, particularly during the 2024 season. Their defense has repeatedly come up with critical stops and game-changing plays. In their 24-19 homecoming victory against Fayetteville State, Livingstone’s defense recorded four interceptions, including a pivotal 71-yard pick-six by Jayden Reeder just before halftime. Kevin Larkins also contributed with two interceptions, helping to maintain the Blue Bears’ lead despite a late push from Fayetteville State.

The Blue Bears did find a spark on offensive in the second quarter when De’Angelo Alston connected with Davontay Deloatch for a 36-yard touchdown pass, putting the Blue Bears ahead 10-3 after Zapata’s successful extra point.

Though Fayetteville State mounted a brief comeback in the Fourth quarter, Livingstone’s defense held strong, ensuring that their lead remained intact. This win improves Livingstone’s record to 5-2, and keeps them competitive in the CIAA standings.

With this victory, Livingstone College now finds itself firmly in the hunt for the conference championship. The win not only boosts their record, but also sets up a crucial final stretch of the season, where each game will be vital in determining their championship fate. The Blue Bears will need to maintain this momentum as they prepare for their next matchup against Winston Salem State University next Saturday. Livingstone College students and alumni are reinvigorated by this performance, and excited to see how far this team can go with a CIAA title now within reach.

Photos Credit: Omari Photography (OMP)

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Head coach Trei Oliver then walked to the front of the room and made a not-so-surprising move.

“I turned the TV off and told them, ‘It’s time to go to work, guys,’” said Oliver. “We immediately went to the field and went to practice.”

It is all business for the Eagles as they prepare to face Richmond in the first round of the 24-team postseason tournament on Saturday that starts at 2 p.m. Saturday on ESPN+.

North Carolina Central (9-2) lost out on a trip to the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta after it dropped a pivotal MEAC game at Howard, which won 50-20, on Nov. 11. Despite finishing the conference season at 4-1, losing the head-to-head meant Howard, which also was 4-1, took the MEAC title and bowl game bid.

“I told (the media) back, I guess four or five weeks ago when we were about start conference play, I would rather be 0-5 (in nonleague competition) and win six straight and win the conference and go to the Celebration Bowl because that would be Black College National champions,” said Oliver, whose program won the 2022 Celebration Bowl and was named the HBCU national champion.

“But I’m not going to complain with us sitting here 9-2, and we were one of 24 teams selected in the country to go compete (in) the national playoffs. So, we are definitely blessed to be here. We’re excited to be here … There are probably a hundred-and-some (FCS) teams at home right now about to go grab their fishing poles and go fishing. So we’re excited about playing in the playoffs.”

The Eagles will enter postseason play on a run where it has won 14 of its last 15 games against FCS opponents, including three winx against CAA teams, the conference Richmond represents as co-champion this season, along with Albany and Villanova.

NC Central running back Latrell Collier indicated that the records won’t matter come Saturday in the single-elimination situation.

“We were 3-0 against the CAA, but it’s the playoffs now, and a lot more is on the line,” he told HBCU Sports earlier this week. “We know we are going to get their (Richmond’s) best, and we look forward to the matchup.”

For Richmond (8-3), the Spiders are making its 13th to the postseason trip and have won six consecutive games after starting the season 2-3.

“They (the players) know what it is. They know what it’s about and what has to happen here,” Russ Huesman, Richmond’s seventh-year coach, told The Richmond Dispatch.

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The Colonial Athletic Association announced Tuesday that North Carolina A&T. has accepted an invitation to join the conference as a full member on July 1, 2022.

The Aggies will also join as a member of CAA football starting on July 1, 2023.

“We are pleased to welcome North Carolina A&T as the newest member of the CAA,” CAA Commissioner Joe D’Antonio said. “The Aggies fit perfectly into the framework of the Conference’s vision that calls for our membership to work together to advance nationally competitive athletic programs – coupled with outstanding academic programs – that empower student-athletes as whole persons to strive at the highest level in every aspect of their lives. The CAA is excited to add a second HBCU to its membership, and going forward the Conference will continue to be focused on making decisions that ensure its membership a competitive and sustainable model.”

CAA Football’s membership will expand to 14 in 2023 with the addition of North Carolina A&T.

Decisions regarding scheduling formats and championship field sizes are ongoing and will be determined over the coming months.

“This is yet another great day for the CAA,” said Drexel University President John Fry, Chair of the CAA Board of Directors. “I continue to be profoundly grateful for the sustained engagement of our Presidents over the last 16 months, as together with our Athletics Directors we have forged a principled vision for the future in these turbulent times. To know that an institution with the academic and athletic prestige of North Carolina A&T shares in these same aspirational values for college athletics is not only gratifying but speaks volumes about the future success of our Conference.”

“We bring a significant level of achievement as a university to this new association, which enhances our excitement about joining an athletics association with so many outstanding peers who share so much in common with our university,” said A&T Chancellor Harold L. Martin, Sr. “The CAA is rich with opportunity for A&T, our outstanding student-athletes, highly engaged research faculty, distinguished academic programs and accomplished alumni.

“While we will be fierce competitors on the playing field, we look forward to exploring many opportunities for mutually beneficial collaborations with our new conference colleagues.”

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