It was a game two years in the making, and it had all of the excitement that pre-game hoopla promised.

Unfortunately, on Saturday, September 4, Virginia Union's return to competitive action was spoiled by Division I Hampton University 42-28 at Armstrong Field in Hampton, Va.

VUU spotted Hampton a 13-0 lead after the first quarter only to see the Panthers claw back to take a 14-13 lead at halftime.

Then, in the third quarter, Hampton went up 21-13 only to see VUU tie the score later in the quarter.

Again, when Hampton took a 28-21 lead early in the fourth quarter, Virginia Union came back yet again to tie the score at 28-28.

But that's where the Panther magic ran out as Hampton scored two unanswered touchdowns to seal the 42-28 win.

"I thought our guys played well," said VUU Associate Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Dr. Alvin Parker.  "I thought, going into the fourth quarter, that we were where we wanted to be with a tie ball game.  We just couldn't make plays down the stretch to get us that win.  But I'm proud of the guys."

Hampton opened the scoring when Jadakis Bonds hauled in an 11-yard pass from Pirate quarterback Jett Duffey at the 8:26 mark in the first quarter. 

Hampton then went up 13-0 when Pirate running back Darran Butts burst through the line and ran 85 yards for a score with 5:47 left in the opening stanza.

Virginia Union, however, came back with a 12 play, 75 yard drive, capped with Domantay Rhem taking the ball in from the one with 14:55 left in the second quarter.

VUU then shocked the Pirates by mounting an 88-yard scoring drive.  Virginia Union's Rodney McKay caught at five-yard pass from Panther quarterback Khalid Morris with 3:42 left in the half.  Jefferson Souza, who went 4-for-4 on extra points, gave VUU the lead 14-13 with the PAT.

After Hampton went up 21-14, Union employed a bit of trickeration.  VUU's Charles Hall hauled in a 39-yard halfback pass from Jaden Reavis to tie the score 21-21 with 8:05 left in the third quarter.

Hampton again went ahead early in the fourth quarter when KeyRon Catlett caught an 18-yard pass from Duffey.

But Morris then connected with VUU's Desmond Smith with a 40-yard scoring strike to tie the game again at 28-28 with 11:08 left to play in the game.

Hampton, however, scored another touchdown at 9:05 and then again with 3:29 left to play to give the Pirates the 42-28 win.

"When you play against an opponent which has triple the amount of scholarships you have, you got to play flawlessly," Parker said.  "We played pretty solid, but we didn't play flawlessly.  When you play a program which has that much more than you do, you have to play perfect."

Morris would end up 271 passing yards and two touchdowns.  He connected on 15 of 28 passes.

"I was pleased with his performance," Parker said.  "He provides that senior leadership for us on offense that is unmatched.  He plays well and the guys rally behind him.  I thought the offensive line did a good job of protecting him tonight."

Hall led all receivers with 182 yards on six catches, including a touchdown.

"Charles is Charles," Parker said.  "He played well as well as some of the others guys who made some plays too."

Virginia Union will now stage its home opener when the Panthers host Valdosta State University at 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 11, at Willie Lanier Field at Hovey Stadium.