Virginia State Trojans Outlast Bears 34-17 At Home

ETTRICK, Virginia – The Virginia State University Trojan football team (2-2 overall, 2-0 CIAA) defeated the Bears of Shaw University (1-3, 0-1) 34-17 at Rogers Stadium Saturday night.

With the victory the Trojans secured its second conference victory improving to 2-0 within the league and 2-2 overall.

Virginia State combined for 511 total offense, including 357 passing and 154 rushing while the Bears tallied 360 total offensive yardage that featured 62 on the ground and 298 through the air.

The Bears opened the contest with scoring the game's first touchdown when Shaw's quarterback Keon Marsh (Queens, NY) found junior tight end Kevonta Moses (Fort Myer, FL) on a 23 yard pass, taking a 7-0 lead.

Shaw would hold on to the seven point advantage until Virginia State University scored with 36 seconds left in the first half when Demetrius Strickland produced a seven-yard rushing touchdown to even the score at 7-all at halftime.

Both teams scored twice in the third quarter as the Bears took the lead on a 33-yard field goal from junior kicker Beni Kinsemi (Charlotte, NC) at the 10:21 mark. The Trojans answered with a slant route six yard reception touchdown from Maleek Henderson (Danville, Va.) that led to a 14-10 spread over Shaw with 8:28 left in the third frame.

VSU added more points to the board on a one yard rushing touchdown from quarterback Cordelral Cook (Atlanta, Ga.) to push the Trojans lead 20-10 but the Bears quickly cut the deficit thanks to a 78 yard pass from Marsh to junior wide receiver Marquis Gorham (Greensville, NC) putting Shaw within three (20-17) heading into the fourth quarter.

BOX SCORE

The Trojans continued to add points as they scored off a one yard pass from Cook to Maurice Davis (Chesapeake, Va.) with 12:36 remaining. Shaw had an opportunity to score after gaining huge yardage for first downs including a 23 yard reception from Gorham but a false start, followed by an incomplete pass and quarterback sack from VSU resulted in the Bears turning the ball over on downs.

The next possession, the Trojans extended its lead to 34-17 after a seven yard rushing TD from Daniel Reid (Chester, Va.) that would ultimately seal the deal for the Trojans, giving Shaw its second-consecutive loss.

Cook finished with 357 yards on 31-of-45 pass completions and two touchdowns while Harris turned in 132 receptions yards and nine catches, followed by Andre Jackson (Durham, NC) finished with a game high 88 yards for five big receptions. Demetrius Strickland led the running backs unit with a team-best 15 carries for 63 yards.

Defensively, senior Dhevyn Anderson (Watertown, NY) led the Trojans with seven tackles and one breakup. Junior Elijah White (Hampton, Va.) contributed four tackles.

Virginia State will return to action Saturday Oct. 6 for its second home game of the season as they host the Vikings of Elizabeth City State University. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. at Rogers Stadium.

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

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS