RALEIGH, NC - The Shaw University football team will look to build on a season ending victory in 2022 as the Bears open their 2023 slate against #17 ranked Benedict College in the 2023 Carolinas Classic.
Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. EST inside the Charlie W. Johnson Stadium in Columbia, SC. The game will be televised live on HBCU GO.
Series History - Benedict 1-0.
Last Meeting - BC 23 - SU 17 (2011)
How To Watch - https://hbcugo.tv/ , The Grio with cable provider Sling (Channel 841). Spectrum Channel 232 Raleigh.
The Bears
The Bears are hoping for a different outcome from last season. Injuries put a sour note on the year as Shaw finished 4-6 overall and 4-4 in the CIAA. The Bears ended the season with an exciting double-overtime victory over rival St. Augustine's 30-27 in the 2022 Raleigh Classic.
Shaw returns preseason All-CIAA running back
Sidney Gibbs who enters the season just 346 yards short of the Shaw University career rushing yards record. Gibbs finished last year with 714 yards and a team leading 8 touchdowns. Also returning on offense is wide receiver Ah'Shaan Belcher who led Shaw with 380 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Getting the start at quarterback will be dynamic athlete
Christian Peters who will also lineup some at wide receiver.
The Bears defense returns multiple starters who helped Shaw rank nationally in total interceptions including safety
Jay Boyd (4) along with cornerback
Jaden Clark (4). Along the defensive front, Shaw returns its sacks leader in end
Brian Patterson along with interior enforcer
Saevion Gibbs. The Bears will also look for help at the linebacker spot from
Kareem Butler who returns from an early season ending injury in 2022.
The Shaw special teams unit looks to be its strongest in recent history with preseason All-CIAA K/P
Devin Versteegen returning along with
Karlton Byrd who returns to the program to help with kickoff and punting duties.
The Tigers
Benedict enters the contest coming off its most successful season in program history. The Tigers finished the year 11-1 overall including 7-0 in the SIAC while earning the conference championship. Benedict earned the top seed in Region Two in the NCAA D2 playoffs before falling to Wingate. Nine Tigers are on the preseason All-SIAC team including All-American defensive lineman Loobert Denelus, who was picked as the preseason SIAC defensive player of the year. Benedict is ranked 17th in the preseason AFCA Division II Coaches Top 25 poll.
