ETTRICK, VA – The Trojans will return home for a homecoming matchup against Lincoln University (Pa.) as Coach Barlow's squad will look to avenge the 51-44 loss to the conference leaders, #6 Bowie State. The game will kick-off on October 23, 2021 at 2:00pm at Rogers stadium in Ettrick, Virginia.
 
 
LU at VSU | Video
 
 
 The Virginia State offense averages 37 points per game over the last three games after putting up 44 points against one of the better defenses in the country. The Trojans overcame a 17-point deficit at half time to tie the game at 44 all in the fourth quarter before the Bulldogs scored a go-ahead touchdown to make the final score 51-44. The lose drops their CIAA record down to .500 at 2-2 and makes their overall record 2-4. LU enters the weekend coming off of a, 17-14, win against Elizabeth City State University, which was the programs first win since October 13, 2018. The Lions win over the Vikings moved the squad to 1-6 overall and 1-3 in the conference.
 
 
Virginia State leads the series 12-0 with a 6-0 home record against the Lions. The last matchup saw VSU take down LU, 33-5, at home in week eight of 2019. The VSU defense amassed a conference leading 15 sacks for 88 yards in the contest two years ago.
 
 
Offensively, the Trojans offense set a new high in the CIAA for rushing yards as the backfield rushed for 366 yards and a score against the stout Bulldog defense. The VSU offense found new life behind the North Carolina Central transfer Quarterback, Chauncey Caldwell, in his first start of the season. Caldwell led the offense to six scoring drives while throwing four touchdowns, which has not been done since Cordelral Cook went off against Lincoln University in 2018 with four passing scores of his own. This VSU offense has always prided themselves in their ground game and showed why a week ago. Darius Hagans has become the leading rusher as he has accounted for a total of 257 yards over the last two weeks. Hagans averaged nine yards per carry while rushing for a team and season-high 199 yards against the Bulldog defense. Upton Bailey impressed the coaching staff in his Trojans debut against ECSU rushing for 58 yards on four carries in just one drive. Bailey carved out a role for himself a week ago scoring a 74-yard touchdown which gave him 80 yards on just three carries in the contest. Marquez Phillips continues to lead the receiving core with 17 receptions for 201 yards and two touchdowns. Phillips scored a pair of touchdowns last week on just two catches in the 51-44 loss. Roy Jackson, III led the team in receptions against BSU with four grabs for 70 yards and a touchdown. Tylin Oden scored his first touchdown of the season to make it a one-possession game against Bowie State. The Bulldogs had to learn why you do not kick to ball to Andre Jackson as he returned a kickoff 93 yards to the house to change the momentum last weekend. Jackson is averaging 32 yards per return, which sits him second in the conference in kickoff return yards.
 
 
The VSU defense is seeking another shutout following an unideal performance against the BSU offense giving up points in earn quarter. Javon Frazier (1^st) and Adonte Braxton (5^th) remain at the top of the conference in sacks as the tandem combines for 13 sacks on the year. Zion Johnson leads the linebackers with 42 tackles as he got his first sack a week ago against one of the most elusive Quarterbacks in the conference. 29 solo tackles ranks Will Adams 35^th in the country and third in the conference as he averages 5 solo tackles per game. Adams had a team-high seven tackles and an interception against the Bowie State offense. Vincent Parker and Willie Drew combine for nine pass breakups on the year. The secondary has been solid all season accounting for 24 pass break ups with two interceptions.. The VSU defense has forced a turnover in every game this season and will look to continue the trend in front of the homecoming crowd this Saturday.
 
 
For Lincoln, the offense has had trouble scoring touchdowns in the red zone this season scoring three touchdowns of 12 red zone trips. Andrew Banks leads the LU offense, as he is the only offensive player to score accounting for three rushing touchdowns on 61 carries for 160 yards. Elijah Snell and Samuel Jordan add to the rushing attack as well as the two combine for rushing 282 yards on the ground. The Lincoln receiving core combines for 703 yards on the year with Micheal Credle, Jr leading the way with a team-high 22 receptions and 171 receiving yards on the year. Rashon Cooke also proves to be a threat as he has brought in eight passes for 130 yards, which gives him an average of 26.25 per catch. Cook reeled in a 34-yard pass a week ago in the win against LU Andrew Bank will be in command of the offense as he has accounted for three rushing touchdowns with 474 yards through the air. Banks rushed for 100 yards and two rushing touchdowns in a winning effort a week ago. The signal caller will look to improve his passing efficiency as he has had a 33% completion rating over the last three games. The Lions secondary has cancelled all flights this year as eight interceptions ranks them fourth in the CIAA. Devon Cathcart leads the team in tackles (51.0), tackles-for-loss (7.5), and sacks (4.0) with an interception on the year. Rontay Dunbar leads the team in turnovers with two interceptions and six pass break ups on the year.
 
 
*In order to attend the game, fans must be fully vaccinated (with a valid vaccination card) and one form of identification.
 
 
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