ETTRICK, VA – The Virginia State Football team gave themselves a chance to earn the upset against #15 Virginia Union but ultimately fell 33-21. The Trojans trailed by just two points heading into the half time break after scoring 21 points in the second quarter alone. Unfortunately, the second quarter was the only quarter VSU scored in.
 
 
Game Information
Score: Virginia State 21, Virginia Union, 33
Records: Virginia State (6-4, 5-3), Virginia Union (9-1, 7-1)
Location: Rogers Stadium (Ettrick, VA)
Series: VSU leads 56-46-6 in matchups dating back to 1902



Inside the Box Score

• Zion Johnson earned his second double-digit tackle game after accounting for 11 tackles (three solo) and a forced fumble.
• Tyrone Fisher and Willie Drew combined for 15 tackles as Fisher accounted for eight tackles (four solo) while Drew accounted for seven tackles (five solo) with a pass breakup.
• Roy Jackson, III and Malik Hunter both reeled in four grabs. Jackson, III. accounted for 49 receiving yards while Hunter earned 47. Tylique Ray made a few appearances with three catches for 46 yards. Lucas Nunez made just his third catch of the season which covered 34 yards and set up the VSU offense up on the one yard line.
• Darius Hagans earned 61 tough yards on 19 carries and accounted scored a touchdown while Upton Bailey covered 20 yards on six carries with a touchdown as well. The pass catching back Kimo Clarke had a pair of clutch catches for 31 yards.
• Jordan Davis scored a rushing touchdown for the third straight game this season as he completed 19-of-32 of his passes for 251 yards with an unfortunate three interceptions.  
• The downfall of the Trojans were penalties as they were tagged with 10 to the Panthers four.
• The Trojans were solid on third down converting nine of 15 tries.
   

 
FIRST HALF

• After the Trojans drive stalled out after 13 plays, VUU took over on their own nine yard line. 12 plays later, the VUU quarterback strolled three yards into the endzone to take a 6-0 lead with 3:38 left in the first quarter after the Panthers missed the point after attempt.

• The Panthers would go on to extend their lead to 13-0 after a 18-yard touchdown grab with 14:25 left to go in the second quarter.
• Feeling the pressure of the letting this one get out of hand, the Trojans marched 69 yards in 10 plays as Upton Bailey punched it in from two yards away after Malik Hunter and Jordan Davis connected on a 30-yard pass on the previous play. The Trojans trailed 13-7 with 10:38 left to go in the second quarter.
• On the ensuing drive, VUU was able to move the ball to the six yard line until their drive stalled out forcing them to settle for a 23-yard field goal to increase their lead to 16-7 with 6:48 left to go in the first half.
• The Trojans mounted yet another long drive before being faced with a fourth and one opportunity on the one yard line of VUU. Darius Hagans won the race to the left pylon to make the score 16-14 with 2:50 left in the half.
• The Panthers would strike back quickly scoring in just six plays on a one-yard rush to make the score 23-14 with just :50 left in the half.
• After completing back-to-back passes of 29 yards and 34 yards, Jordan Davis ran two yards into the endzone to make the score 23-21 with :17 left in the half.

• Virginia Union led 23-21 into halftime.

SECOND HALF
 

• Coming out of the halftime break, the Panthers offense marched 12-plays down the field but Virginia State forced a stop on third down which made VUU settle for attempting a 34-yard field goal in which they missed.
• Virginia Union would go on to take advantage of an interception thrown by Jordan Davis as they only needed one play to connect on a 49-yard touchdown throw and catch to make the score 30-21 with 7:37 left in the third quarter.
• The two defenses would force a series of stops until the VUU offense got in field goal range for their kicker who hit a 30-yard field goal to increase their lead to 33-21
• The Panthers forced a three-and-out the ensuing drive to give themselves the win 33-21