Virginia Union runs away from Virginia State

SLIDESHOW: VSU vs. VUU

ETTRICK -- On a perfect night to keep the ball on the ground, the Virginia Union Panthers had the perfect plan.

They ran and ran and ran some more in a steady rainfall. The Panthers ran through the Virginia State Trojans defense, around the Trojans defense and, on one occasion, through the Trojans punt return team. That 49-yard gain by linebacker Hurley Hemphill was almost perfectly executed, except for the holding call that nullified the play.

That was no problem for the Panthers, though. They ran away to a 31-3 victory in the 100th meeting of these fierce CIAA rivals.

The Panthers could have made it worse, but they took a knee on fourth and 1 at the Trojans' 8-yard line with 9 seconds left in the game.

Virginia State (2-3, 4-4) had a long night, and the result might not have been completely representative of their capabilities.

The Trojans played without seven starters, five on defense and two on offense. Those players were suspended because of a fight after an 18-0 loss to Saint Paul's on Saturday.

All was not perfect for the Panthers. They had opportunities to put the game away in the first half, but two fumbles by Christopher Smith thwarted serious scoring drives.

Smith's second fumble sent him to the sidelines for a while. Still, he had 115 yards on 17 carries in the first two quarters at Rogers Stadium. He finished with 147 yards on 23 carries.

Virginia Union coach Michael Bailey had a stable of runners available.

Trevon Winston, a 5-8 freshman from Baltimore, piled up 185 yards on 18 carries and scored a touchdown.

Jerell Washington, a freshman from Ft. Pierce, Fla., came in for Smith with seven minutes left in the second quarter and proceeded to run just as hard and fast as Smith.

Washington gained 66 yards on eight carries and scored a touchdown before halftime. He finished with 96 yards on 12 carries.

Wesley Queen, another freshman runner for the Panthers, also proved to be difficult to stop. The 6-0, 260-pound back gained 52 yards on six carries and scored a touchdown.

For the game, the Panthers (4-1, 5-3) rolled up 511 yards in total offense. They had 490 on 65 rushing attempts. They also converted eight of 13 third-down plays.

The Trojans, able to convert on just one of 10 third-down attempts, also played without starting quarterback Leonard Johnson. The junior was injured in the Saint Paul's game.

To make matters worse, Virginia Union also blocked a Trojans' punt.

In the first half the Trojans twice had the Panthers stopped and lined up in punt formation. However, the Trojans jumped offsides to give the Panthers first downs.

The Panthers took advantage of that first mistake to score a touchdown. The Trojans, who lead the series 49-42-9, got off the hook on that second offsides miscue when Smith fumbled on the next play.

But on this night, the Panthers had more than enough depth, speed and power to overcome those turnovers.

Virginia Union ------------------------- 10 7 7 7 -- 31
Virginia State ------------------------- 0 3 0 0 -- 3

VUU Pearson 16 run (Velasquez kick)

VUU FG Velasquez 25

VSU FG Parker 26

VUU Washington 18 run (Velasquez kick)

VUU Winston 10 run (Velasquez kick)

VUU Queen 14 run (Velasquez kick)