Box Score Virginia Union University's Cheston Hickman passed for 185 yards and three touchdowns as VUU downed Benedict College 27-0 in Columbia, S.C., on September 3.  It was the second consecutive shut-out for the Panthers.

Hickman connected with Matias Parker for scoring strikes of 16 and 43 yards and then hooked up with Stephen Templeton for a 14-yard touchdown pass.  Hickman 9-for-20 on the days. 

For his efforts, Hickman was awarded the Andre Braxton Player of the Game Trophy.

VUU's Antonio Harris also picked up a fumble and rambled 58 yards for another score.

The shut-outs against Saint Augustine's last week and now Benedict mark the first back-to-back shut-outs for VUU since the 1985 squad held Saint Paul's College, Kentucky State University and the University of the District of Columbia scoreless in three straight games.

It also marks the first time VUU has started the season with two straight shut-outs since 1964.  That team shut-out Norfolk State University 7-0 and then defeated Shaw University 10-0.

VUU's Brian Gurley and Brian Smith had an interception apiece while senior Caesar Burton had nine tackles in the win.

Virginia now faces Winston-Salem State University on September 10 at 7 p.m. in Hovey Field.