Virginia State Trojan Football Releases 2012 Football Schedule

PETERSBURG, Virginia  -  Virginia State University has released its 2012 football schedule that features Norfolk State University coming from the MEAC conference, Benedict College coming from the SIAC conference, and West Liberty State University coming from WVIAC conference. The Trojans will host five home games this season compared to only having three home games the entire last season. The Trojans practically lived on the road last season taking on two NCAA I-AA schools in Norfolk State University and Gardner-Webb University.

Virginia State will kick-off their season on Sept. 1 in Norfolk, VA at the Annual Labor Day Classic against Norfolk State University. The Trojans suffered a disappointing lost to the Spartans, falling 37-3 in last season’s match. On Sept. 8 the Trojans open at home against the visiting West Liberty State University at Rogers Stadium in Ettrick, VA.

Virginia State will hit the road for the next two weekends traveling to Columbia, SC and Charlotte, NC. The Trojans take on Benedict College on Sept. 15 and then begin their CIAA conference schedule headed to Charlotte, NC, to play the Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University. Last season the Trojans suffered a heart breaking lost to the Golden Bulls 14-7. The Trojans lost on a last second offensive turnover that lead to a Golden Bulls score with under a minute left in regulation. VSU looks to avenge the tough lost last season.

On Sept. 29, VSU will play their home conference opener against Shaw University at Rogers Stadium in Ettrick, VA. The Trojans and Bears last squared off in the 2010 CIAA Championship game with the Bears edging the Trojans 14-7 at Durham County Stadium.



Their next opponent will be northern divisional rival Elizabeth City State University on Oct. 6. Last season the Vikings finished the regular season with a record of 8-4 and 6-1 in conference play. They also played in the CIAA Championship game and fell to the Rams of Winston-Salem State University.

On Oct. 13, the Trojans travel to Bowie, MD to take on the Bulldogs of Bowie State in another northern divisional game. Last season, the Trojans defeated the Bulldogs 28-21 in a thrilling overtime game at home. Freshmen running back, Tyler Wilson carried the Trojans to a win with 149 all-purpose yards.

On Saturday, October 20th Virginia State University’s football team will host Homecoming 2012 against Lincoln (Pa.) at 1:30 p.m. in Rogers Stadium. VSU holds a 6-0 lead in the series, winning last season meeting 21-16 on the road in West Grove, PA.

Following Homecoming the Trojans will host the visiting Hawks of Chowan closing out the 2012 home schedule on Saturday, Oct. 27. In their last meeting the Trojans defeated the Hawks at home in a superior fashion, 38-20. Prior to the kickoff versus the Hawks, Virginia State will honor its 2012 senior class.

Virginia State closes the season with a road game against I-95 rival, Virginia Union University on Nov. 3 in Richmond, VA. The Trojans tamed the Panthers last season with a 39-14 win on Homecoming 2011.

2012 VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
DATE   OPPONENT  LOCATION TIME
9/01/12 at Norfolk State, Norfolk, VA  6:00 p.m.
9/08/12 West Liberty State, Ettrick, VA  4:00 p.m.
9/15/12 at Benedict College, Columbia, SC 4:00 p.m.
9/22/12 at Johnson C. Smith, Charlotte, NC TBA
9/29/12 Shaw University, Ettrick, VA  6:00 p.m.
10/6/12 Elizabeth City State, Ettrick, VA 6:00 p.m.
10/13/12 at Bowie State, Bowie, MD TBA
10/20/12 Lincoln (Pa.) (Homecoming), Ettrick, VA 1:30 p.m.
10/27/12 Chowan, Ettrick, VA  1:30 p.m.
11/03/12 at Virginia Union, Richmond, VA TBA

COURTESY: VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION