ETTRICK, VA – The 2022 Virginia State University Football season will be the start of a new era, the Frazier Era! Dr. Henry Frazier, III was named the 26th Head Football Coach of the Virginia State Football team on May 10, 2022 and looks forward to leading the Trojans this season. 
 
 
#19/22 Lenoir-Rhyne (0-0) vs. Virginia St. (0-0)
September 3, 2022 - 6 p.m.
Hickory, N.C. - Moretz Stadium
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Direct link to broadcast: https://www.flofootball.com/live/43065
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2021 Quick Facts 
 The Virginia State offense averaged 23 points per game last season while putting up 44 points against one of the better defenses in the country in Bowie State. The Trojan defense was extremely stout a season ago although they gave up 24 points per game. They allowed a total of 26 points in three weeks against Ohio Dominican, St. Augustine's, Elizabeth City State.
 
 
Series History
Lenoir-Rhyne leads the series 1-2 boasting a pair of roads wins against the Trojans, that being said, VSU has the opportunity to even the series as the squads lone victory came in the Moretz Stadium. The last matchup saw LRU take down VSU, 48-7, in the season opener of 2021. One of the only bright spots for the Trojans came from a 47-yard burst to the endzone from Kimo Clarke.
 
 
Self-Scouting
Offensively, the Trojans have announced veteran Jordan Davis to be the week one starter against Lenoir-Rhyne. Davis is ready for the key to the offense after being an extremely solid backup to Cordelral Cook in 2019 and having his season cut short do to an ACL injury in 2021. He earned 310 passing yards and four touchdowns in eight games in 2019. In his first ever collegiate game, Davis completed 9-10 passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns against Norfolk State. A season ago, he earned 363 yards and a pair of passing touchdowns in only four games. The running back room has proven to be a scary sight for defensive coordinators and are headlined by the senior Darius Hagans. Hagans has displayed his dominance in two-straight seasons with the Trojans as he has gained over 1,000 career rushing yards with almost 300 receiving yards and 16 total career touchdowns. As far as wide receivers go, Roy Jackson, III, Tylin Oden and Tylique Ray look to expand their roles in the offense this season as Jackson returns the most receptions (21), receiving yards (233) and ties for returning the most receiving touchdowns (2). The Trojans offensive line returns Matthew Foster and Malik Thompson who both started on an offensive line that scored 14 rushing touchdowns and only gave up 20 sacks last season. While Tight End Jaylon Dean was a very capable blocker a season ago, he looks to expand his role in the passing game this season.
 
The VSU defense will be led by All-CIAA Linebacker, Zion Johnson. A season ago, Johnson played in every game, collecting 24 solo tackles, 46 assisted tackles and a single sack for three yards. Johnson was essentially in on every tackle as his 46 assisted tackles made him the conference leader while 70 total tackles which ranked Johnson 10th in the conference. The group that retains the most talent is the defensive backs group despite losing free safety Will Adams whose swift ascension granted him the opportunity to currently fight for a roster spot with the Washington Commanders. Kymon Pope looks to become the heart and soul of the secondary as the Sophomore Nickel burst onto the scene last season. TJ Tucker also had an extremely solid freshman season as he was responsible for 40 total tackles which, ranked him fifth on the team.  Willie Drew is also back for season two after accounting for five breakups along with 25 tackles in 2021.While the group lost former all-conference selections in Adonte Braxton and Javon Frazier, the defensive line has a host of returning talent led by Duane Platt. In 2021, Platt accounted for 4.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles-for-loss and 13 total tackles. Platt will look to continue the momentum he found in the last three games of 2021 as he got to the quarterback once in each game. Javon Burks was a force in defending the run game last season as he accounted for a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and seven tackles-for-loss. 
 
 
Opponent Scout
The Lenoir-Rhyne Bears are ranked second in the 2022 SAC Football Preseason Coaches' Poll and 22nd in the Division-Two Football Poll. Offensively, Lenoir-Rhyne looks to replace Dareke Young who was selected with the No.233 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The high-powered LRU offense averaged 38 points per game along with 489 yards per game a season ago. The offense was able to put the ball in the endzone a total of 53 times (31 rushing, 22 passing) a season ago and were deadly in the red zone scoring 33 touchdowns in 49 red zone trips. The offense was nearly flawless maintaining a third down conversion rate of 53%. The only downfall on offense was pass protection as the Bears gave up 28 sacks for 181 yards. The Bears have their breakout running back, Dwayne McGee who rushed for LR single season record 1,669 yards and 21 touchdowns. Deondre Lester looks to become the number one option for the young quarterback group. Lester led the Bears with 56 grabs for 718 yards with six touchdowns a season ago. All but one starter returns on the offensive line from 2021, led by Blake Jefferson and Bryce Heidinger. Defensively, the Bears gave offensive coordinators around the country fits last season only giving up just 16 points per game. The squad allowed a third down conversion rate of just 28% while forcing 24 turnovers. The LRU defense held the opponent's offense to under 10 points in five games including a shutout against Carson-Newman. Defensively, the Bears have a ton of new faces emerging. Andre Jefferson finished his first full season at LRU in 2021, and finished with 9.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks while playing both DT and DE positions. C'Darius Kelley started all 11 games a season ago for the Bears in his first full season after converting from QB and returns as the top cornerback on the squad.
 
 
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