Virginia Union University issued the following announcement on Oct. 16
Dr. Alvin Parker, head coach of the Virginia Union University football team, says the 2021 team takes the season one game at a time.
When the Panthers visited Chowan University on Saturday, October 16, VUU downed the 25th ranked Hawks 38-31.
"This was a big win because it was the next one," said VUU Head Football Coach Dr. Alvin Parker. "We've been preaching to just take the season one game at a time. Every game is a one-game season for us."
Virginia Union got on the board first by mounting a 10-play 88-yard drive and scoring a touchdown with 10:24 left in the first quarter.
Chowan tied the score on the ensuing kickoff by returning the kick 100 yards to tie the game at 7-7.
VUU's Jefferson Souza then put the Panthers back on top with a 21-yard field goal with 5:40 left in the opening stanza.
After another Chowan score, Virginia Union's Jada Byers took the ball in from two yards out to give the Panthers a 17-14 lead.
Byers would wind up with 213 yards on 33 carries with two touchdowns.
VUU's Rodney McKay then tied one of the oldest records in Panther football lore when he ripped off a 98-yard touchdown run with 4:50 left in the second quarter.
McKay's sprint tied the Virginia Union school record of the longest rush from scrimmage, tying the record set by Fred "Cannonball" Cooper against North Carolina A&T on October 19, 1940.
McKay's run also gave the Panthers a lead they would not relinquish.
McKay would finish with 127 yards on nine carries and a touchdown.
Virginia Union's E'mond Caldwell took over quarterback duties from Khalid Morris midway through the first quarter and responded by completing eight of 14 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown.
Virginia Union sealed the win when the Panthers' Jamal Jones sacked the Chowan quarterback with just under a minute to go in the game.
The Panthers are now 4-3 on the season and 3-1 in the CIAA. Chowan fell to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the CIAA.
VUU will now face Bowie State University at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 23, at Willie Lanier Field in Hovey Stadium.
Original source can be found here.
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