Virginia State Trojans lock up CIAA North

SOUTH HILL, VA - Most people turn their clocks back an hour in the fall, but the Virginia State University football team went back 14 years. VSU clinched its first CIAA North Division title since 1996 by defeating St. Paul's College 34-14 in the regular season finale on Saturday in South Hill.

The team from Ettrick will fight for the conference title next Saturday, something not too many people saw coming a the start of the season. The Trojans were picked to finish eighth in the 13-team league this year. The preseason snub did not sit well with the VSU. The Trojans have won their last four games, decidedly dispatching those opponents by a combined score of 126-21.

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Videographer: juankiki25 (10/4/10)

Virginia State Trojans tame Lincoln (Pa.) Lions

ETTRICK, VA - It's a good thing the cannon at Rogers stadium fires blank rounds after every Virginia State University touchdown. If actual cannon balls were required, there may not have been enough on hand Saturday as home team routed Lincoln 42-0 in a CIAA matchup.

The Trojans defense fired a blank of their own, claiming their first shutout of the year by forcing five turnovers and limiting the Lions to 225 yards of total offense.
VSU senior Laquentin Milo got things started for the home team by picking off a pass from Lincoln quarterback Steven Torres. The 6-0, 220-pound linebacker returned it 29 yards to the Lions' 16-yard line, much to the delight of a rowdy homecoming crowd.

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TONIGHT: ECSU Vikings and VSU Trojans CBS College Sports Game of the Week

The Virginia State University Trojans and Elizabeth City State University Vikings football game on Thursday night, October 14 at 8:00 pm can be viewed live on CBS College Sports Network.

The network is available via satellite on DIRECTV Channel 613 and Dish Network Channel 152. For Time Warner digital customers the game is available on sports tier channel 537. Verizon Fios channel 94 and Comcast channel 732. In the Hampton Roads region on Cox Communications channel 216 and in HD on channel 816.

If you have none of the above -- watch via the Internet at: http://www.ncaa.com/allaccess/

Vikings in prime time; on TV, web tonight

Last year, Elizabeth City State was riding high atop the division standings when it took a trip to Ettrick, Va. where Virginia State stunned the Vikings 23-10 to begin a skid that cost ECSU a trip to the CIAA championship game.

The Vikings (4-2, 3-0) are in the same position and cannot afford a loss at Virginia State (4-2, 2-1) when the two teams meet tonight in a nationally televised contest.

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Fayetteville State shocks division-leading Virginia State, 21-14

PETERSBURG, Va. - Fayetteville State shocked the CIAA North Division leader, Virginia State, 21-14, on Saturday night. It was the first road win of the season for the Broncos (2-4, 1-2). Fayetteville State built up a 21-0 lead after three quarters, then held off a rally by the Trojans.

Quarterback Robert Benjamin threw three touchdown passes for the Broncos.

Trojans fall

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ETTRICK, VA - The stage was set for more late-game heroics from the Virginia State football team. Having won last week on a last-minute 50-yard touchdown pass, they looked poised to steal another game, this time from visiting Fayetteville State. But sophomore quarterback Jarred Battle's fourth-and-goal pass fell incomplete with 27 seconds left and the Broncos held on for a 21-14 victory.

The Trojans, who came into the game sitting atop the CIAA North Division standings, struggled on both sides of the ball from the start.

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VSU Trojans Rush To Third Win Over Chowan Hawks

Virginia State University's football team held on late in the fourth quarter to secure a 20-13 win against Chowan University in Murfreesboro, NC on Sept. 25. Justin Parker's 2nd made field-goal (19; 30), from a season long 30 yards out gave VSU a 20-6 lead with 3:23 remaining in the game. Coach Andrew Faison and the VSU Trojans won their first northern divisional conference game with a balance attack of 168 yards passing and 153 yards rushing improving to their best start at 3-1 since the 2002 season.

(3-1) Virginia State University's defense gave up a late touchdown with a minute left in the fourth, after only giving up only two Chowan field-goals the entire game. Chowan rushed for 66 total team yards due to the Trojans stingy and smart defensive group.

Led with 9 tackles from senior LaQuentin Milo (Florence, SC), senior James Pratt's (Alexandria, VA) and junior Clifton Haney's (Orlando, FL) 7 tackles the Hawks averaged 1.8 yards rushing on 36 carries. Chowan also received pressure when they attempted to pass as VSU recorded a season high 6 sacks. Red-shirt freshmen Timothy Durant (Hyattsville, MD) and senior Isiah Townsend (San Francisco, CA) both had 2 sacks each and three others each recorded one; senior Andre' Adams (Washington, DC), senior James Pratt (Alexandria, VA), and sophomore Thomas Sykes (Newport News, VA).

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Norfolk State squares off against longtime foe Virginia State

It's not just a Labor Day weekend love. While tonight's meeting between old rivals Norfolk State and Virginia State isn't being played during the holiday weekend for the first time since 1991, NSU athletic director Marty Miller said it's the teams, not the calendar, that attract a crowd.

Norfolk State's DeAngelo Branche, the team's top offensive option, was looked at seriously by Virginia State. Two of the Trojans' primary producers - quarterback Jarred Battle and wide receiver Corey Young - are local products whom NSU inquired about, though neither felt heavily pursued.

"There's nothing personal about it," said Young, a Bayside High grad. "But maybe after I do play this game, and we get this win, they'll look back and see what could have been."

Charlotte Wants CIAA Encore

Charlotte tourism leaders are ready for some more roundball.

The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority has begun formal negotiations to keep the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s annual men’s and women’s basketball tournaments here for several more years. Tim Newman, the visitors authority’s chief executive, told board members this week the CRVA submitted a bid last month to the conference of historically black colleges and universities to extend the partnership.

“They’re evaluating that,” Newman says. “We think we’ve got a great shot based on the great relationship we’ve had.” The current three-year deal expires in 2011. Charlotte has hosted the CIAA since 2006 at Time Warner Cable Arena. Economic impact from the tournament in 2010 was $37.1 million, dipping from $38.2 million a year earlier.

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Woo Woo: A legacy of love

ETTRICK, Va. - Dr. Paulette Johnson is a rare breed of coach.

She has no true rival. And no true peer. What she does have - without having to ask - is respect and a legion of former Virginia State University cheerleaders (Woo Woos) who remain loyal. Johnson has earned every ounce of those positive feelings. Feelings not just from within the Virginia State community, but from the NCAA Division II ranks as well.

During her tenure, she helped guide the Woo Woos to the top of the CIAA - and the nation. Few schools have a cheerleading program that can challenge Virginia State. Thanks to Johnson, who is stepping down after coaching the Woo Woos since 1974.

Expect an outpouring of love over the weekend as Virginia State celebrates the career of Johnson, including a meet-and-greet session Friday and a banquet at the Hilton Garden Inn in Colonial Heights on Saturday night.




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