VUU Panthers Crush VSU Trojans 46-19 in Home Finale

RICHMOND, Virginia -- Virginia Union crushed rival Virginia State 46-19 on Saturday, November 3 at Hovey Field in Richmond, Va., snapping a two-game losing streak in the series.

The Panthers scored their most points against the Trojans since 1980.

With Division II playoff hopes still alive, the Panthers (7-2, 6-1) celebrated a little more than usual as time expired on the game clock.

"We had more to play for than they did," said Virginia Union back Tabyus Taylor, a former Hopewell standout. "This is what we have worked for all year, to have a chance to keep our season alive."

The Panthers had to weather an early surge from the Trojans, who drove 89 yards on the opening drive.

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The Panthers answered by blocking the extra point attempt and returning it for a conversion of their own.

Taylor broke free for a 46-yard run moments later to give the Panthers a 9-6 lead.

Taylor added his second touchdown on a 19-yard pass from Darius Taylor with 6:11 to go in the first half. That score, which put the Panthers ahead 23-12, was set up by an interception by Sterling Hammond, the reigning CIAA defensive player of the year. Hammond picked off Virginia State's Cordelral Cook at the the Panthers' 14-yard line and returned it 6 yards to the 20. VUU then drove 80 yards in eight plays.

Hammond struck again for the Panthers, recovering a fumble on the ensuing drive. The turnover led to more points as the Panthers scored on a 30-yard wideout-to-wideout pass from Lavatiae Kelly to Jewison Dawkins. Hammond also recorded six tackles and a blocked kick.

The Panthers defense shut out the Trojans in the second half.

"We've relied on big plays from our guys all year, so this is nothing new for us," Virginia Union coach Alvin Parker said. "Sterling [Hammond] is still the CIAA defensive player of the year until somebody says otherwise and he showed that today. They had the momentum on offense, and we needed to get a stop."

Tabyus Taylor continued his breakout season, rushing for 180 yards and two touchdowns. He also had two receptions for 58 yards and the touchdown. Darius Taylor displayed versatility, throwing for 154 yards and three touchdowns and adding 75 rushing yards.

The Panthers are hopeful that a rout of the Trojans and another dominant performance on Thursday, November 8, against Johnson C. Smith in Charlotte, N.C., will be enough to earn a spot in postseason play.

"I've been around a couple playoff teams, and this is definitely a playoff team," Parker said. "If we get a chance to be in the playoff bracket, we will show everyone what we are made of."

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