Lincoln, Pa. (Nov. 2, 2024)- The Virginia State football team has put up over 30 points for the fourth straight game as they shut out the Lions of Lincoln University 55-0. 

LUPA got the opening kickoff and got one first down before the Trojan defense forced a punt.  On the first VSU drive only six plays were needed as Jimmyll Williams capped off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run making it 7-0. Then on the next drive for Lincoln a third and 16 saw their quarterback Isiah Freeman sacked and fumble that was recovered by KJ McNeil for a touchdown for the Trojans first defensive touchdown of the year. The VSU defense forced a three and out on the next drive with the punt setting up the offense on the LUPA 41-yard line.  

On the ensuing Trojans drive five plays were needed for Romelo Williams to find Malik Hunter in the endzone for a 13-yard touchdown. Another three and out for the Lions gave VSU the ball back with 42 seconds left in the quarter. Williams found Hunter for a 17-yard catch and run before he ran it 23-yards for a touchdown leaving one second left in the first quarter. After the fourth PAT from Joshua Campbell made it 28-0 in the first 15 minutes of the game. Lincoln once again didn't get much on offense and had to give the ball back to VSU on their own two-yard line after Jeffery Wilson blocked the punt and recovered it. After a false start and a negative rushing play, R. Williams found Kevin Gayles wide open in the endzone for a 19-yard touchdown catch, making it 35-0. Next time the offense touched the ball, J. Williams scored had his second one-yard touchdown run, but Campbell missed his first extra point of the season, making it 41-0. That would be the halftime score as VSU would outgain Lincoln 323-11. 

To start the third quarter Rahsaan Matthews Jr. Would score the first touchdown of his collegiate career to Marquis Smith as he had a 23-yard catch and run for the score. Lincoln finally got to the other side of the 50-yard line on their last drive of the third quarter but turned the ball over on downs. With the first drive of the fourth quarter the VSU offense started to use clock as they took nearly six minutes Matthews Jr. Found Khali Coward for his first receiving touchdown in his collegiate career. From that point the VSU offense started to run the ball while the defense continued to stiffen the Lincoln opportunities. 

On 46 plays Lincoln only averaged 1.1 yards per play, 52 yards total, compared to 7.2 for the Trojans. With this win VSU is now 6-3 overall and 5-1 in the conference which sets up next weeks game against Virginia Union as a win and earn a spot in the championship game. The VSU vs VUU game will be on Saturday November 9 at 1 p.m. on HBCU Go.