VSU Trojans Remain Undefeated With Win Over Bowie State

ETTRICK, Virginia – In front of Homecoming crowd of 17,092, the Virginia State University Trojans secured a 47-35 victory over the Bulldogs of Bowie State University on Saturday afternoon. With the win, VSU not only remains undefeated with a 6-0 record, but also moved to the #1 spot in the CIAA Northern Division. Bowie State moves to the #2 in the North and is now 6-1. The Trojans are remaining focused as they keep their eyes on the 2017 CIAA Championship title.

Virginia State took a home field advantage as they took an early 7-0 lead when quarterback Cordelral Cook (Atlanta, GA) found the end zone on a three yard run at the 9:31 mark in the first. Bowie State then answered at the 3:15 mark of first quarter, when Hall connected with Geordan Clark for a 24-yard pass to cut VSU lead to 7-6. Virginia State then answered with senior Trenton Cannon (Hampton, Va.) exploding down the Bowie State sideline to secure a 93-yard touchdown run. The Trojans then added another big play that led to a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Blair Wynn, pushing the Trojans lead to 20-7.

Bowie State started to pick up momentum in the second quarter by adding two touchdowns. The first was at the 13:40 mark, when Amir Hall connected with Lansana Sesay for a 23-yard pass. VSU keeping the same momentum added another touchdown when Cordelral Cook connected with Carlton Campbell for a 55-yard pass for a touchdown at the 12:16 mark. BSU added its final touchdown of the quarter on a 7-yard pass bring the score to 27-21 at the half.

Despite a scoreless third quarter for both VSU and BSU, VSU's Cordelral Cook scored on 6-yard run to set the score at 33-21 in favor of the Trojans at the 13:21 mark in the fourth quarter. The Trojans then ran a trick play with quarterback Cordelral Cook connection with Joshua Harris (King Williams, Va.) for 36-yard touchdown. The kick was blocked, but recovered, by the sophomore Cullen Marshall (Suffolk, Va.) resulting in a two-point conversion to put the Trojans up 41-21.

A quick touchdown and kick by the Bulldogs gave them an additional seven points. Cordelral Cook then scored his third rushing touchdown of the afternoon at the 4:46 mark of the fourth quarter. The 56-yard touchdown enhanced the Trojans lead to 47-28. BSU then revisited the end zone, bringing the score to 47-35.

The Virginia State Trojans completed the competition with 596 total offense yards compared to 381 for Bowie State. The home team also recorded 249 passing yards. Offensively, the Trojans was led by Cordelral Cook with 234 passing yards, completing 13-of-21 passes. Zachary Parker (Reston, Va.) led all receivers with 92 reception yards on four catches. Senior Trenton Cannon carried the ball 19 times for 239 yards and adding one touchdown.

Senior Brandon Lynch (Norfolk, Va.) led the Trojans defensively with 10 tackles and one sack, followed by junior Malik Sexton (Portsmouth, Va.) with 7.5 tackles.

The Trojans will hit the road next week as they travel to face the Lions of Lincoln University (PA) on Saturday, October 21. Kickoff slated for 1 pm.

For the most up-to-date information on VSU Football please visit www.govsutrojans.com and follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports.

BOX SCORE

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY TROJANS SPORTS INFORMATION