Seven turnovers spoil Va. Union’s opportunity to clinch

Virginia Union persisted in giving the football to Elizabeth City State. Now the Panthers' fate, too, has been placed in someone else's hands.

A macabre offensive effort that seemed somehow appropriate on Halloween -- five interceptions and two lost fumbles -- doomed the Panthers to a 21-13 loss to the Vikings yesterday at Hovey Field.

Now, instead of celebrating a CIAA Eastern Division championship, the Panthers are snarled in a three-way tangle with Elizabeth State City and Bowie State and must await the outcome of today's toss-of-three-coins tiebreaker at CIAA headquarters in Hampton.

"The difficult thing is, we were in control of our destiny," said VUU coach/athletic director Michael Bailey. "We're not in control any more. Whatever happens now won't happen on the field."

Said Panthers senior linebacker Hurley Hemphill: "It's not over. We've still got a chance. All we can do now is wait and pray and hope for the best. Whatever happens [today], I think, was meant to happen and probably would have happened no matter what."

What happened yesterday was surreal. VUU, shorn by injury of much of its backfield depth, received an inspired performance from fullback Wesley Queen, an emergency starter at tailback, and a gallant effort from its defense.

Queen, offering a passable imitation of former Pittsburgh Steelers standout Jerome Bettis, rumbled for 145 yards and a touchdown. VUU's defense surrendered but 268 yards.

Still, the Panthers (5-2, 6-4) could not overcome their spasm of generosity. The first two passes thrown by freshman quarterback Aries English were intercepted. Two fourth-period interceptions permitted Elizabeth City State (5-2, 7-3) to seal the deal.

Bailey answered immediately when asked if he considered making a change at quarterback.

"No," he said. "The interceptions don't bother me. [English] is a young kid. He was trying to make plays. He was trying to do what we asked him to do. and he was trying to do it within the framework of the game plan."

The game plan, largely conservative, appeared likely to pay handsome dividends when Queen's first-period touchdown and a 17-yard second-period strike from English to Joseph Jean-Pierre enabled VUU to carry a 13-7 lead deep into the third period.

The appearance changed quickly. Given a short field with which to work following a VUU punt, the Vikings drove 46 yards for the go-ahead touchdown late in the third period. Queen's fumble at the Virginia Union 30 ignited another Elizabeth City scoring thrust early in the fourth period. Running back Cedric Blacknall scored three times for the Vikings.

Bailey seemed more determined than disappointed at game's end. He saluted his young team, built around 32 freshmen, for improving from worst in the CIAA East in 2008 to tied for first in 2009.

"We'll be back here again in 2010," he said. "I guarantee it."

Contact Vic Dorr Jr. at (804) 649-6442 or .

Elizabeth City State ------------------------- 0 7 7 7 -- 21
Virginia Union ------------------------- 7 6 0 0 -- 13

VUU -- Queen 1 run (Velasquez kick)

ECSU -- Blacknall 3 run (Mendez kick)

VUU -- Jean-Pierre 17 pass from English (run failed)

ECSU -- Blacknall 10 run (Mendez kick)

ECSU -- Blacknall 2 run (Mendez kick)