Box Score RICHMOND, VA – After holding the lead for three quarters, Virginia State allowed Virginia Union to score 15 points unanswered in the fourth quarter to steal the victory 20-13 thanks to a go-ahead score with :30 left on the clock.
Game Information
Score: Virginia State 13, Virginia Union, 20
Records: Virginia State (3-6, 3-4), Virginia Union (6-4, 5-2)
Location: Hovey field (Richmond, VA)
Series: VSU leads the series 7-5
How It Happened
- After both offenses had trouble moving the ball, Virginia Union found success through the air early in the drive before Javon Burks recovered a fumble on the VUU 46 yard line, which gave the Trojans the best starting field position of the day.
- Chauncey Caldwell completed three passes on third down as the final third down completion of the drive went to Tylin Oden on a shallow-crossing route from seven yards away to make the score 7-0 with 3:47 left to go in the first quarter.
- Following stellar defensive play from both teams, VUU drove the ball 68 yards down the field in nine plays. Thanks to four first downs and a 33-yard completion from Khalid Morris to Charles Hall (Longest VUU completion of the day); the Panthers were set up with a third-and-one opportunity deep in the territory of VSU. Zion Johnson burst through line to stop Rodney McKay for a loss of a yard to force a 30-yard Jefferson Souza field goal. The first score of the day for the Panthers made the score 7-3 with: 15 left in the first half.
- The Trojans took the slim, 7-3 lead in the halftime break.
- Following a slew of punts from both squads, the Virginia State offense found life behind the new QB D'Vonte Waller. Aggressive play calling from the Trojans allowed Waller to attempt a pass on every play of the drive going 4-5 passing for 46 yards capped off with a 14-yard strike to Marquez Philips on a post route to make to the score 13-3.
- A blocked point after attempt that was returned for a two-point conversion by Ronnie Monroe made the score 13-5 with 1:57 left to go in the third quarter.
- On a third and six play with the ball in the opponent's territory, Waller completed an eight yard pass to Roy Jackson, III. Following the catch, Jackson was blown up by Bryan Epps, which forced a fumble recovered by Domantay Rhem that was returned 71 yards down to the 9-yard line of the Trojans.
- The VUU run heavy offense only needed two plays to score as Jada Byers battered his way into the end zone from five yards away to make the score 13 all with 13:53 left to go in the 4th quarter.
- On the ensuing drive, the VSU offense took 7:28 off the clock yet, the drive ended with a 36-yard kick that was missed wide right with 6:25 left to go in the game.
- With the game on the line, Virginia Union fell back on their bread and butter, the run game. Not one pass was attempted as Jada Byers and Rodney McKay combined for 75 yards in the drive capped by a one-yard Jada Byers run as the Panthers took their first lead of the game 20-13 with :30 left to go in the game.
- An 11-yard sack ended the game with the score remaining at 20-13.
Inside the Box Score
Entering the game VUU led the conference in third down conversions, however, the VSU defense held the Panthers to 2-of-11 on third downs.
The VSU defense held the VUU passing attack to under 150 yards in the game.
Jesus Valenzuela punted six times for a total of 273 yards averaging 45.5 yards per punt. The senior punted a ball that went 65 yards while pinning the VUU offense inside of their own 20 yard line four times along with two punts of 50+ yards.
D'Vonte Waller went 9-11 for 96 yards and a touchdown after relieving Caldwell in the second half.
Darius Hagans ran for 83 yards (4.2 avg.) on 20 attempts in the rivalry matchup.
Marquez Phillips had four grabs for 48 yards and a score on the day.
Zion Johnson had a team-high nine tackles with a tackle for loss despite missing time in the first half due to an injury.
Kolby Hunter amassed seven tackles along with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble in the afternoon matchup.
