Virginia Union University's Aris McGlone - English passed for 182 yards and a touchdown, but Winston-Salem State University spoiled VUU's season opener by downing the Panthers 47-13 in High Point, N.C., on August 28.

VUU quarterback Cheston Hickman also passed for another touchdown in the game.

WSSU got on the board first when Landon Thayer hit on a 34-yard field goal with 9:21 left in the first quarter.  The field goal seemed inconsequential at first, but then Winston-Salem State then scored four more times to take a 27-0 lead to the locker room at halftime.

The Rams would stretch their lead to 40-0 before McGlone-English connected with Cheikh Gadiaga from 18 yards out to give the Panthers their first score with 1:02 left in the third quarter.

After another WSSU touchdown, VUU's Cheston Hickman hit Joseph Jean-Pierre with a nine-yard scoring strike to make the final tally 47-13.

The loss drops VUU to 0-1 on the season while WSSU is now 1-0.

Virginia Union travels to Raleigh, N.C., on September 4 to meet Shaw University.

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CLAW MARKS:  McGlone-English's 186 passing yards were the most for a VUU quarterback in a season-opener since Lamar Little passed for 247 yards against Lenoir-Rhyne on August 30, 2007..Michael Hassell led the Panthers with 71 receiving yards on three catches...Hassell was also VUU's leading rusher with 25 yards on four carries...Martin House had five punts for 198 yards (39.6 yards per punt)...Matias Parker returned six kicks for 132 yards...Jason Boyce led VUU with nine tackles...Kristopher White led the Panthers with three three sacks...Although the game was supposed to be broadcast by the Heritage Sports Radio Network, technical difficulties at A.J. Simeon Stadium prevented the broadcast....Next week's game against Shaw will be played at Southeast Raleigh High School.