Elizabeth City State Blanks Winston-Salem State 5-0

Elizabeth City State scored a safety and a field goal to beat Winston-Salem State, snapping the Rams' two-game win streak.

Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Football

Elizabeth City State Blanks Winston-Salem State 5-0

Elizabeth City State defeated Winston-Salem State 5-0 on Saturday afternoon, with the Rams' two-game win streak snapped. The win moved Elizabeth City State into sixth place in the CIAA conference standings.

Why it matters

The loss drops Winston-Salem State to 2-7 overall while Elizabeth City State improves to 3-6, shaping the late-season conference race for both programs in the Winston-Salem area.

Winston-Salem State gained 122 yards on 56 plays, with 33 rushing and 82 passing yards, while Elizabeth City State rolled up 279 yards and 181 rushing yards. Brayden Jeffries completed 10 of 24 passes with one interception and was sacked three times.

The players

Winston-Salem State

A historically Black public university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, competing in the CIAA conference and dropping to 2-7 overall after this loss.

Elizabeth City State

A historically Black public university in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, that moved into sixth place in the CIAA standings with this shutout win.

The details

Elizabeth City State's first points came on a safety after a bad snap on a punt early in the game. Diego Coca-Hernandez later kicked a 35-yard field goal in the second quarter, and Josef Manley completed 15 of 25 passes for 98 yards with two interceptions for the winners.

Saturday, October 31, 2026: Elizabeth City State defeats Winston-Salem State 5-0 in the afternoon.
Saturday (following game): Winston-Salem State hosts Fayetteville State for homecoming at 1:30 p.m. at Bowman Gray Stadium.
Saturday (following game): Elizabeth City State closes its season at Bluefield State at 2 p.m.

Season Trajectory

The shutout moves Elizabeth City State into sixth place in the CIAA standings as the conference season nears its end. For Winston-Salem State, the defeat extends a difficult stretch and leaves the team needing a strong homecoming finish against Fayetteville State.

Fans tracking CIAA standings should note Elizabeth City State's move to sixth place, which affects postseason positioning. Winston-Salem State's homecoming matchup Saturday is its final chance to end the season on a stronger note.

The takeaway

Low-scoring games like this one often hinge on special teams and turnovers, a reminder that field position and ball security can decide close contests in the final weeks of the season.

What happens next

Winston-Salem State hosts Fayetteville State for homecoming at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium, and Elizabeth City State closes its season at Bluefield State at 2 p.m. the same day.