Virginia Union secured a decisive 31-13 victory over CIAA rival Winston-Salem State in an HBCU showdown at Hovey Field.
The Panthers, powered by efficient offense and a stifling defense, outpaced the Rams early, building a commanding 24-3 lead by halftime. Virginia Union’s Mark Wright was key in managing the game, completing 13 of 17 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown, while the Panthers’ ground attack, led by Curtis Allen and Jada Byers, racked up 176 rushing yards.
The Rams struggled to establish their offense, managing just 69 rushing yards against a tough Virginia Union defense. Winston-Salem State quarterback Daylin Lee had moments of brilliance, throwing for 253 yards and a touchdown, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the balanced Panthers’ attack. The Rams’ only touchdown came in the fourth quarter when Lee connected with Brandon Person-Boyd on an 8-yard pass, closing the gap to 31-13.
Virginia Union’s defense, a cornerstone of the HBCU rivalry game, was relentless, sacking Lee three times and forcing three fumbles. Isaac Anderson was a standout for the Panthers, recording two sacks and contributing to the Rams’ offensive woes.
With this win, VUU improved to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in CIAA play, while Winston-Salem State fell to 4-2 on the season and 1-1 in the conference. The victory showcased the strength of Virginia Union’s HBCU football tradition and served as a crucial statement in their pursuit of a defending its conference title.