ETTRICK, VA – The Virginia State Trojans looks to stay perfect in conference play as they travel down to Salisbury, NC for a date wit the Blue Bears of Livingstone College at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday September 24.
 
 
Virginia State University (2-1) vs. Livingstone College (1-2)
September 24, 2022 - 4 p.m.
Salisbury, NC – Alumni Memorial Stadium
Live Stream (subscription needed to watch): LC Football Live Stream 
Live stats: Click HERE
 
 
Self-Scouting
The VSU offense currently averages 29.7 points per game after coming off a huge week scoring 42 points against St. Augustine's which ranks them second in the conference. They rank second in the conference in touchdowns scored with 13 and second in points scored with 89. The rushing attack currently ranks second in rushing yards gained with 677 and rank second in average yards per rush with 5.1. The VSU passing game currently ranks first in the conference with seven passing touchdowns. Darius Hagans leads the offense after the senior running back earned 100 yards on just 20 carries with a touchdown a week ago. The all-purpose back now leads the team with 390 rushing yards on 52 carries and a pair of touchdowns. His 370 yards puts him firmly in the second spot in the conference as his two touchdowns ties him for second. His average yards per game (123.3) ranks him second in the conference. His 86-yard rushing touchdown against St. Augustine's is the longest rushing play in the conference to this point. The Human Joystick Kimo Clarke has earned 109 yards this season on just 15 carries this season which ranks him 14^th in the conference. Clarke scored a pair of touchdowns in the SAU game as he carried the ball seven times for 25 yards and a touchdown and brought down three catches for 27 yards and a touchdown. The power back Upton Bailey has amassed 156 yards on just 22 carries in the season which ranks him seventh in the conference in rushing yards. Reigning Trojan Male Student Athlete of the Week Harlen St. Louis anchored an offensive line that helped the Trojans gain 465 yards of total offense. Darius Hagans (100), Upton Bailey (56) and Kimo Clarke (25) achieved 181 yards rushing on 32 rushes as a backfield in the 42-7 win against visiting SAU.

 
The VSU defense gives up 17.3 points per contest which ranks them fourth in the conference. They lead the conference with six interceptions and and are second in rushing yards allowed per game with 100. The VSU rushing defense also ranks first in average yards per carry allowing just 3.0. The Trojans defense allowed just seven points a week ago as their only points came in the first quarter of the game. Zion Johnson currently ranks first on the team in total tackles with 22 along with a pair of forced fumble and a fumble recovery in just three games this season. His 22 total tackles ranks him eighth in the conference. He leads the team with 12 solo tackles which also ranks him 13th in the conference. He earned nine total tackles a forced fumble and a quarterback hit last week against SAU. Kymon Pope currently ranks second on the team in total tackles with 17 along with a forced fumble, fumble recovery and interception. In his first game back this season, Tyrone Fisher accounted for seven total tackles (four solo) in the win against SAU. Willie Drew continues to improve after picking off the SAU quarterback and returning it 18 yards. Even though Drew plays cornerback he is not shy of contact as he ranks third on the team with 11 total tackles and third on solo tackles with eight. Drew also has accounted for a pair of break ups and a forced fumble in only three games. Freshman sensation Ahmad Poole has really come into his own in the past couple of weeks as he has accounted for 2.5 tackle's-for-loss and 1.5 sacks along with three quarterback hits.

 
Opponent Scout – Livingstone College
The Livingstone Blue Bears are currently ranked third in the southern division of the CIAA after coming off of a 6-42 loss against #20 Virginia Union. The Blue Bears average 15 points per game in the season as their best defensive performance was when the squad shutout Elizabeth City State 19-0. The LC defense allowed just 130 total yards in that game and 2.3 yards per play in the win. The LC defense ranks ninth in the conference giving up 28.7 points per contest. On the bright side, they rank first in passing yards allowed with 184. Offensively, the Blue Bears rank within the middle of the pack scoring 15 points per game. Livingstone averages just 24 rushing yards a game along with 182 passing yards per game. They do well in early downs but struggle mightily on third and fourth down as they are 29% on third down and 17% on fourth down. The Blue Bears defense is led by Linebackers Jaden Echols and Will Tims. Echols ranks ties for sixth in the conference with 22 total tackles (10 solo). He also accounts for 2.5 tackles-for-loss. Times ties for eighth in the conference behind his total of 20 tackles. Tims also ranks fifth in solo tackles with 13. The offense is led by quarterback, Silas Cruse. Cruse ranks third in the CIAA in passing yards per contest with 236. He has thrown 4 four touchdowns with three interceptions and maintains a completion percentage of 57%.
 
 
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