Virginia State, Bowie State hoping to stay perfect and in CIAA North lead

When Virginia State and Bowie State meet at Rogers Stadium just outside of Petersburg, VA on Saturday, a lot will be at stake.

Both teams come into this pivotal Week Seven matchup undefeated, with Bowie coming in at 6-0 and Virginia State right behind it at 5-0.  The winner of this game will have the leg up in the race for the CIAA Northern Division title, while the loser will no longer control its destiny.

Here are some of the numbers to know heading into this game.

210.6 — Trent Cannon’s average all-purpose yards per game, fifth in the country
180 — Number of points Amir Hall is responsible for through six games, first in the country
70 — First downs allowed by Virginia State, third lowest in the nation
54.3 — Bowie  State’s scoring average for the season, best in the nation.
40 — Cannon’s average kick return, highest in the country
24 —Hall’s passing touchdown total, highest in the country
9 — Brandon Britton’s touchdown total, highest in the country
2 — Hall’s interception total through six games
1 — Bowie State’s rank in offensive first downs (182),

These two teams have won the last four CIAA Northern Division titles, 2013 and ’14 by VSU, and 2015 and ’16 by BSU. Their last game was a thriller, with BSU defending its home field at its homecoming, coming up with a 38-37 win on a touchdown run by Hall. That was VSU’s last loss, 363 days ago.

.@D2HBCUFOOTBALL was correct. @VSUTrojans nine-game winning streak is the longest in HBCU football. Last lost to @BowieStFootball 10/15/16 pic.twitter.com/D9yV4sWCSt

— HBCU Gameday (@HBCUGameday) October 11, 2017

Sequels are rarely as good as the originals, but hopefully, lightning will strike twice in the 804 this weekend.