Week five of the HBCU football season was highlighted by the first full slate of conference games in the SWAC, seeing one team rise above all as the measuring stick.
The SIAC has a new top contender that was picked to finish in the bottom half of the conference in the Preseason Poll.
The hierarchy in the CIAA was slightly changed with one of its premier teams returning to the championship picture with a statement win.
Finally, an unheralded team is on a win streak, but the jury is out on whether they are a contender or a pretender.
Here are the 5 Takeaways from week 5 of the HBCU football season.
1. Alabama State makes a statement against Florida A&M
Alabama State put forth a statement performance in Bragg Stadium on Saturday, taking down Florida A&M in a 42-14 victory.
Their 28-point win margin is the largest for the Hornets in a conference opener since they beat Mississippi Valley State 41-9 in 2011.
In their two games against SWAC opponents this season (their game against Southern did not count toward conference record), the Hornets have won by a combined total of 72-21.
Through five weeks in the 2025 HBCU football season, Alabama State has separated itself from the pack in the SWAC, cementing itself as a threat to take home the conference title.
Their offense has thrived under quarterback Andrew Body, who is emerging as a top candidate to take home this year’s Deacon Jones trophy.
With its competitors either currently not performing at their full potential or not well-equipped to compete for a championship, Alabama State is in a prime position to end its 21-year drought in the SWAC.
2. Benedict’s versatile win over Clark Atlanta
Another team that has had a transcendent season through five 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 average, everyday dominant performance from the SIAC leaders, as the Tigers put on one of the most versatile performances seen in a long time.
Benedict scored eight touchdowns in five different ways, including a kickoff return, two fumble returns, a pick six, a rush, and three passing.
Being picked to finish seventh in the SIAC’s Preseason Poll, the Tigers have been on an accelerated timeline back into championship contention following the departure of head coach Chennis Berry.
Their defense ranks among the top units in Division II football (sixth in the nation in scoring defense), with its three defensive touchdowns against Clark Atlanta giving them a country-leading four so far this season.
In addition, their two games with Darius Ocean as the starting quarterback have provided answers to what was previously a questionable offense.
At this pace, Benedict will be a top contender to take home its third SIAC championship in four years.
3. Rough MEAC finishes
After what was a spectacular weekend for the MEAC last week, finishing with a 4-2 record, including three wins against FCS opponents, this weekend was rough by comparison.
MEAC teams finished with a 2-4 record with every contest ending by a margin of eight points or less. Of the four losses, three of the teams led entering the fourth quarter.
Finding itself leading 31-20 at halftime and 31-28 against Sacred Heart, despite a questionable ejection of quarterback Kaiden Bennett, Delaware State could not hold on as they were shut out in the second half on its way to a 35-31 loss.
Norfolk State surrendered a 13-0 first-half lead against Wagner, allowing three unanswered touchdowns in the second half, with a late turnover dashing its hopes of its first FCS win of the year.
Finally, Howard held a 12-0 lead on Richmond entering the fourth quarter before succumbing to two touchdowns in less than two minutes and a missed go-ahead field goal.
North Carolina Central also nearly fell victim to a late-game collapse after leading 47-21 against East Texas A&M, allowing 21 fourth-quarter points before 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 in the CIAA with a key win over one of their top competitors.
The Broncos improved to 2-0 against the CIAA, taking down the reigning CIAA championship runner-ups, Virginia State, 34-14 in their home opener.
Fayetteville State’s defense overwhelmed Virginia State, recording seven sacks, forcing three turnovers, and limiting them to just 45 rushing yards on 35 attempts.
Last season, Fayetteville State finished with a 4-6 record, marking its first losing season since 2016 and ending a seven-year streak of CIAA championship game appearances.
Dispatching one of its top competitors, and doing so in an impressive performance, is a big first step to getting back to the championship game.
With all their biggest tests going forward happening on their home field (Livingstone, Johnson C. Smith, and Winston-Salem State), it is not crazy to say the Broncos could find themselves in Raleigh in November.
5. West Virginia State is quietly streaking
West Virginia State has quietly had a hot start to its season, bouncing back from a loss in the opening weekend against Carson-Newman.
The Yellow Jackets have now won three straight contests, culminating in a 60-39 win in their homecoming contest against Fairmont State.
This marked the first time West Virginia State has scored 60 points in a game since they beat Kentucky State 61-42 in 2018.
Despite losing one of the top rushers in Joel Felder to the portal this past offseason, West Virginia State has found a way to make an impact in the run game.
They rank 18th in the country with 220.0 rushing yards per game and have scored a Mountain East Conference-leading 11 rushing touchdowns.
However, the key for the Yellow Jackets will be consistency, as previous years have shown they have a tendency to drop off as the season goes on.
This is now the third straight season they have started a season winning three of their first four contests. In the two seasons preceding this year, they ended with a combined 10-11 record.
