Dr.
Alvin Parker, head coach of the Virginia Union University football team, says the 2021 team takes the season one game at a time.
When the Panthers visited Chowan University on Saturday, October 16, VUU downed the 25th ranked Hawks 38-31.
"This was a big win because it was the next one," said VUU Head Football Coach Dr.
Alvin Parker. "We've been preaching to just take the season one game at a time. Every game is a one-game season for us."
Virginia Union got on the board first by mounting a 10-play 88-yard drive and scoring a touchdown with 10:24 left in the first quarter.
Chowan tied the score on the ensuing kickoff by returning the kick 100 yards to tie the game at 7-7.
VUU's
Jefferson Souza then put the Panthers back on top with a 21-yard field goal with 5:40 left in the opening stanza.
After another Chowan score, Virginia Union's
Jada Byers took the ball in from two yards out to give the Panthers a 17-14 lead.
Byers would wind up with 213 yards on 33 carries with two touchdowns. Â
VUU's
Rodney McKay then tied one of the oldest records in Panther football lore when he ripped off a 98-yard touchdown run with 4:50 left in the second quarter.Â
McKay's sprint tied the Virginia Union school record of the longest rush from scrimmage, tying the record set by Fred "Cannonball" Cooper against North Carolina A&T on October 19, 1940.
McKay's run also gave the Panthers a lead they would not relinquish. Â
McKay would finish with 127 yards on nine carries and a touchdown.
Virginia Union's
E'mond Caldwell took over quarterback duties from
Khalid Morris midway through the first quarter and responded by completing eight of 14 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown.
Virginia Union sealed the win when the Panthers'
Jamal Jones sacked the Chowan quarterback with just under a minute to go in the game.
The Panthers are now 4-3 on the season and 3-1 in the CIAA. Chowan fell to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the CIAA.
VUU will now face Bowie State University at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 23, at Willie Lanier Field in Hovey Stadium.
