RALEIGH, N.C. — Shaw University opens the 2026 football season Saturday, Aug. 29, when the Bears travel to Fayetteville State for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
The Bears begin their second season under head coach Lamar Manigo looking to build around an experienced group of offensive returners while introducing a new-look defense.
Shaw will face a Fayetteville State squad that finished 6-4 overall last season and closed the year with wins in six of its final seven games. The Broncos averaged 28.0 points and 320.0 yards of total offense per game in 2025, including 146.6 yards on the ground and 173.4 through the air. Fayetteville State was also efficient on third down, converting nearly 42% of its opportunities.
Defensively, the Broncos surrendered just 18.7 points per contest and were particularly strong against the run, limiting opponents to 90.8 rushing yards per game and 2.7 yards per attempt. Fayetteville State recorded 35 sacks and 13 interceptions during the season.
Shaw averaged 242.0 yards of total offense last season with 105.5 rushing yards and 136.5 passing yards per game. The Bears will look for improvement in finishing drives after scoring on 15 of 24 trips inside the red zone in 2025.
Quarterback Alexander Marsh headlines Shaw's returning offensive group. Marsh passed for 1,117 yards and eight touchdowns during his freshman campaign and added three rushing scores.
Running back Trey Thorpe also returns after leading Shaw with 350 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns in nine games. Thorpe contributed in several areas, finishing with 50 receiving yards and 212 yards on kickoff returns while accounting for a team-high five touchdowns. Fabian Diggs also returns to provide a needed duo in the backfield.
Wide receiver Reggie King Jr. gives Marsh another experienced option in the passing game. King caught 14 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown last season, averaging 16.0 yards per reception with a long catch of 52 yards.
The Bears will feature a different look on the other side of the ball under new defensive coordinator Bryce Bradley. Shaw recorded 10 interceptions last season but finished with just 12 sacks while allowing 37.4 points and 375.9 yards per game. Bradley and the revamped defensive staff will look to improve those numbers with a mixture of returning players and newcomers throughout the unit.
Saturday's matchup will also be a rematch of last season's meeting in Raleigh, where Fayetteville State earned a 31-13 victory over Shaw.
Fans unable to make the trip to Fayetteville can watch the game live on the CIAA Sports Network at theciaasn.com.
