ETTRICK, VA -- The stage is set for the Virginia State Trojans and the Virginia Union Panthers to face off in the final game of the regular season on Saturday, November 5 at 12:00 p.m. The Trojans will attempt to contain the nation's leading Division Two Running Back Jada Byers after coming off a game he was "held to" 109 rushing yards. Saturday's game will also be Senior Day as Virginia State will honor the Seniors on the football team in their final game in Rogers Stadium.


Virginia State University (6-3, 5-1 CIAA) vs. Virginia Union (8-1, 6-1 CIAA)
November 5, 2022 - 12 p.m.
Ettrick, VA – Rogers Stadium
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Matchup History 
The Trojans are 56-45-6 against the Panthers in matchups dating back to 1901 making this the 108th meeting between the two. In last years most recent matchup, 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. This is the fifth time in history the two have met on November 5. The Trojans last win came back in 2019 when they secured a spot in the NCAA Super Region 2 Playoff, after taking down the Panthers 27-24 in overtime.


Self-Scouting
The Trojans currently average 30 points per game while giving up only 22 per game to opponents. The Trojans also average 416.6 yards per game while they are first in the CIAA and tie for third in the nation in interceptions with 14 along with 20 sacks on the season.
 
 
VSU Run Game
The running game for the Trojans ranks second in the CIAA in rushing yards with 2,305 averaging 226 yards per game. They are second in the conference in rushing touchdowns with 26. Senior standout Darius Hagans leads the rushing attack with a team-high 951 yards which ranks him second in the conference. He has the longest running play of the season in the CIAA with an 86-yard touchdown run against Bluefield State University which was also was a career long for him. He currently ties for 14th in the country in rushing yards also. Upton Bailey is second on the team with 602 rushing yards and first in the conference in yards per carry with 7.3. He currently ranks third behind Hagans in the CIAA in rushing yards and is fourth behind Kimo Clarke in rushing touchdowns with six.The Reigning CIAA Offensive Back of the Week rushed for 183 yards on 15 carries along with three touchdowns (17 yards, 43 yards, 52 yards) in the win against Lincoln (Pa.). Kimo Clarke is third on the team in rushing with 222 rushing yards on 48 carries. He also ties for first on the team and is second in the conference in rushing touchdowns with seven. Quarterback Jordan Davis ties Clarke for a team-high seven rushing touchdowns of his own this season. With Hagans leading the charge in the running back room, the trio of running backs have had a stellar season so far and have made the Trojans rushing attacks one to be respected by all the teams in the conference as all three have more than five rushing touchdowns.
 

VSU Passing Game
The passing attack for the Trojans ranks third in the CIAA with 1,794 passing yards and 14 passing touchdowns. The team averages 199 passing yards per game and maintains a 52% completion percentage. Jordan Davis is the leader of the passing attack as he has accounted for 1,418 passing yards and 10 passing touchdowns and only two interceptions. He ranks fourth in the conference in passing yards and fourth in the conference in passing touchdowns. Prior to earning his first career start against LC, Jordan Davis came in a reliever role in the start of this season completing 75% of his passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. After efficient play in the first two games, he earned his first official start against Livingstone and went 18-30 passing for 251 yards with a touchdown through the air and a pair on the ground. Tylique Ray is now eighth in the conference in receiving yards with 413 on just 24 receptions. He has scored two touchdowns this season with one of them being a 76-yard reception.


VSU Defense
The VSU defense gives up 22 points per contest. They are now second in the conference and fourth in the nation with 14 interceptions. Zion Johnson is first on the team in total tackles with 63 along with a pair of forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. His 63 total tackles ranks him ninth in the conference. Tyrone Fisher currently ranks second on the team in total tackles with 59 in just seven games this season. His 59 total tackles ranks him 13th in the conference. Kymon Pope has accounted for 39 solo tackles which ranks him seventh in the conference. Willie Drew is now second in the conference and is third in the nation in interceptions with five and has also accounted for five pass breakups. He also has 33 tackles including 23 solo stops this season to go along with his terrific pass coverage statistics. Miqueal Pillow - Smiley leads the defensive line with 11 tackles-for-loss to go along with 5.5 sacks.


Opponent Scout – Virginia Union Panthers
The Virginia Union Panthers are currently tied for second second in the Northern Division of the conference with a 3-1 record. Virginia Union enters the matchup with a chip on their shoulders after suffering their first loss of their historic season to Chowan 42-21. Virginia Union average 45 points per game and give up 16 points per game to their opponents. The VUU offense, the conference and the nation's running game is led by Jada Byers who now has 1,669 yards on the season. He broke the previous VUU rushing record of 1,660 set by Andre Braxton in the 2000 season in the loss to Chowan. He's third in the nation in rushing touchdowns with 18 in the season. His best game was when he gained 319 rushing yards and four total touchdowns in the win against Valdosta State earlier in the season. On defense, Armonii Burden leads the team and the conference with eight sacks for 50 yards this season. He also leads the defensive line with 22 solo tackles and is second on the team with 9.5 tackles-for-loss.