Game Information
Matchup: Shaw at Fayetteville State
Date: Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Venue: Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium
Location: Fayetteville, N.C.
Link to Program, Broadcast, Live Stats, Tickets: fsubroncos.com/gameday
Fayetteville State football opens the 2026 season Saturday, Aug. 29, when the Broncos welcome Shaw University to Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium for a 6 p.m. kickoff. The matchup begins a three-game homestand for Fayetteville State and marks the first step in a season with championship aspirations after the Broncos were selected third in the CIAA preseason poll.
The opener presents a contrast in expectations entering 2026. Fayetteville State was projected among the conference's top contenders, while Shaw was picked 10th in the league's preseason rankings. Despite the preseason projections, opening night always brings uncertainty as two teams unveil new personnel, new schemes and months of offseason preparation.
The Big Picture
Fayetteville State enters the season with expectations centered around returning to CIAA championship contention. The Broncos were selected third in the conference preseason poll behind Virginia Union and Johnson C. Smith and placed eight players on the preseason All-CIAA team.
The recognition reflects the depth and experience assembled by head coach
Richard Hayes Jr., whose program continues to be built around physical defense, disciplined special teams and an efficient ground attack.
Five of Fayetteville State's eight preseason selections came on defense, reinforcing the identity that has defined the Broncos in recent seasons.
Eight Preseason All-CIAA Broncos
The road to Durham and the CIAA Championship Game begins immediately. After Saturday's opener, the Broncos face UNC Pembroke and nationally respected Valdosta State before conference play intensifies with September matchups against preseason favorite Virginia Union and preseason No. 2 Johnson C. Smith.
Fayetteville State Head Coach
Richard Hayes Jr.
Hayes has built Fayetteville State into one of the CIAA's most consistent programs through a defense-first approach and disciplined football. His teams routinely rank among the conference leaders in rushing defense, turnover production and overall defensive efficiency.
The 2026 Broncos enter the season with experience throughout the defensive front, linebacker corps, secondary and special teams units, giving Hayes one of the conference's deepest returning groups.
Shaw Head Coach
Lamar Manigo
Manigo enters his second season leading the Bears after returning to Shaw ahead of the 2025 campaign.
A former Shaw offensive coordinator and Bowie State quarterback, Manigo's background is rooted in quarterback development and offensive production. Prior to returning to Durham, he helped Virginia State reach the 2024 CIAA Championship Game while serving as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator.
The Bears spent the offseason rebuilding their staff, adding five coaches across the offensive line, defensive front, linebacker and coordinator positions.
Saturday will provide the first extended look at how those changes translate on the field.
Series History
Saturday marks the 25th meeting between the longtime CIAA rivals.
Fayetteville State vs. Shaw
- FSU leads the all-time series 16-8
- First meeting: Sept. 29, 1973
- Fayetteville State is 9-1 in the last 10 meetings
- The Broncos won nine consecutive games in the series from 2014-2023
- FSU owns a 7-4 record against Shaw at Jeralds Stadium
Historically, the matchup has been one of the CIAA's most competitive Southern Division rivalries, but Fayetteville State has controlled the series throughout much of the last decade.
Last Meeting
Oct. 25, 2025
Fayetteville State 31, Shaw 13
Fayetteville State turned in a dominant performance in last season's 31-13 victory over Shaw, forcing five turnovers that included three recovered fumbles and two interceptions. The Bronco defense consistently disrupted the Bears' offense, recording 10 tackles for loss and two sacks while creating short-field opportunities throughout the game.
Offensively, FSU controlled the tempo on the ground, rushing for 192 yards and building a commanding 28-0 lead before Shaw managed to get on the scoreboard.
The performance reflected the formula that has become synonymous with Hayes-led teams: dominate defensively, control the line of scrimmage and win the turnover battle.
2025 Season Review
| Category |
Fayetteville State |
Shaw |
| Record |
6-4 |
2-8 |
| Points Per Game |
28.0 |
14.2 |
| Points Allowed |
18.7 |
37.4 |
| Total Offense |
320.0 ypg |
242.7 ypg |
| Total Defense |
316.3 ypg allowed |
378.3 ypg allowed |
| Rush Offense |
146.6 ypg |
105.5 ypg |
| Rush Defense |
90.8 ypg allowed |
186.5 ypg allowed |
Players to Watch
Fayetteville State
- Marcus Fleming | WR | Jr. - The lone preseason offensive skill-position selection for the Broncos. Fleming is expected to be a focal point of Fayetteville State's passing attack and one of the conference's most explosive playmakers.
- Joseph Woodard | DL | Gr. - A disruptive veteran who made a major impact against Shaw last season. His ability to pressure the quarterback and create negative plays could set the tone early.
- Jatavien Taylor | LB | R-So. - The preseason All-CIAA linebacker anchors the second level of the defense and will be central to stopping Shaw's running game.
- Terrell Ford & Amari Best | DB - One of the conference's most respected secondary tandems. Their ability to limit explosive plays could force Shaw into difficult passing situations.
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Shaw
- Alexander Walsh | QB | So. - Â Marsh returns after leading the Bears' offense in 2025, accounting for 1,095 total yards and averaging 109.5 yards of total offense per game, making him a key piece in Shaw's effort to generate more consistency and explosiveness offensively.
- Trey Thorpe | RB | Sr. – Thorpe is one of the Bears' most versatile playmakers, finishing 2025 with 607 all-purpose yards, including contributions as a runner, receiver and return specialist, giving Shaw a dangerous threat any time he touches the football.Â
Keys to the Game
Fayetteville State
- Win First Down: Shaw struggled to sustain drives in 2025. Consistently creating second-and-long situations can keep the Bears behind schedule.
- Control the Turnover Battle: The Broncos forced five turnovers in last year's meeting. Eliminating giveaways while creating takeaways remains the quickest path to success.
- Establish the Run: Testing Shaw's rebuilt defensive front early can help control tempo while setting up play-action opportunities.
- Finish Drives: Converting red-zone opportunities into touchdowns can prevent Shaw from hanging around deep into the game.
Shaw
- Protect the Quarterback: The Bears must improve upon the protection issues that led to 42 sacks a year ago.
- Run the Football Efficiently: Creating manageable third-down situations will be critical against an aggressive Bronco defense.
- Create Takeaways: Shaw generated 21 takeaways in 2025. Extra possessions represent the Bears' best opportunity to engineer an upset.
- Handle the Environment: Opening on the road against a preseason contender requires poise, communication and operational efficiency.
What To Expect
The matchup pits one of the CIAA's most established defensive programs against a Shaw team still in the early phases of building under Manigo.
Expect Fayetteville State to lean on its experienced defensive front, control the line of scrimmage and emphasize field position through preseason All-CIAA punter
Abdoulazim Bayor. On offense, the Broncos will look to establish balance and allow their defense to dictate game flow.
For Shaw, the early focus will likely center on protecting the quarterback, simplifying the offense and avoiding the turnovers that proved costly throughout 2025.
Opening games are often defined by execution rather than complexity, and the team that handles mistakes, field position and situational football most effectively should gain the upper hand.
Final Word
Fayetteville State enters the 2026 season as a legitimate CIAA championship contender, carrying eight preseason All-CIAA selections and the conference's third-place preseason ranking into opening night. Shaw arrives with a new-look coaching staff, an offensive-minded head coach entering year two and hopes of taking a significant step forward.
The Broncos hold the statistical advantage, the recent series advantage and home-field advantage, but the first game of a new season always brings unknowns. Saturday night begins Fayetteville State's journey toward Durham and conference championship contention, and it starts with a familiar CIAA rival under the lights at Jeralds Stadium.
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