Ettrick, Va (Oct. 12, 2024)- The Virginia State University (3-3, 2-1) football team put up almost 330 passing yards across three quaterbacks as they defeated Bowie State (1-5, 1-3) 38-17 during homecoming.
VSU took its opening drive down 86 yards on eight plays that was capped off with a 37-yard touchdown pass from Romelo Williams to Ajenavi Byrd. Then the following Bowie State drive was a three and out. Neither team had much to build from in the first quarter with the Bulldogs turning the ball after failing a fourth down attempt on their last drive in the period.
After getting the ball back on a turnover on downs the Trojans were looking at a third and medium from the Bulldogs 47, Malik Hunter took a crossing route the whole 47 yards for the second touchdown of the day. Bowie State did nothing on their next possession but neither did the Trojans however on the punt the Bulldog player muffed the punt and was then recovered by Jahid Turner to set up VSU on the BSU 28-yard line. The Trojans would send out Joshua Campbell for the field goal attempt where he made the 26-yard attempt.
The Trojans would get on the board right before halftime as Jimmyll Williams capped off eight play drive with a one-yard touchdown run making it 24-0 at halftime. Bowie State would come out of the halftime break with a striong touchdown drive to get on the board. However the Trojans would immediately answer where R. Williams had an 11-yard touchdown rush that came after Tylique Ray rushed for five yards on fourth down to keep the drive alive. Then VSU would recover the muff kick on the kickoff to try and score on back-to-back drives.
J. Williams rushed the ball for the last 23 yards to score his second touchdown of the game to make it 38-7 Trojans. The Bulldogs would score the final 10 points but it was too late as VSU would come away with a Homecoming victory for the second straight year.
R. Williams had a solid day where he went 16-28 for 291 yards and 2 touchdowns and he added 43 rushing yards. Hunter brought down six of those passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. The Trojans will begin a three game road trip starting at Elizabeth City State on October 19 at 1 p.m.
