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Virginia Union University Athletics

VUU FB KSU
69
Winner Virginia Union VUU 1-0 , 0-0
7
Kentucky State KSU 0-1 , 0-0
Winner
Virginia Union VUU
1-0 , 0-0
69
Final
7
Kentucky State KSU
0-1 , 0-0
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
VUU Virginia Union 20 14 21 14 69
KSU Kentucky State 7 0 0 0 7

Game Recap: Football |

Panthers Set Offensive Record in Win Over Kentucky State

Virginia Union University's football team racked up a school-record 674 offensive yards as the Panthers opened the 2024 season with a 69-7 win over Kentucky State University on Saturday, August 31, in Frankfort, Ky.

The 674 offensive yards broke the old record of 623 yards set against Norfolk State University in 1992.

VUU's Jada Byers moved into second place among the all-time leading Virginia Union rushers with a total of 211 yards.  Byer's passed Bobby Phillips and now trails only all-time Virginia Union rusher Andre Braxton.

VUU's defense shut down the KSU offense as well, allowing only 90 yards in total offense for the Thorobreds.

For the first time in school history, two VUU players returned interceptions for touchdowns on successive plays.  Virginia Union's Donald Gatling returned a KSU pass 46 yards for one score while teammate Jalen Mayo returned a pick 25 yards for another touchdown on the next play.

"Our guys played really well today," said VUU Head Football Coach Dr. Alvin Parker.  "Everybody on offense got to play and make a contribution.  "We played a lot of guys today and a lot of guys got dirty.  All of them made contributions and I'm really happy about that.  Anytime you can run up some numbers, it shows how everybody has bought into the system."

VUU will now travel to Hampton, Va., to face Hampton University at 6:00 p.m. On Saturday, September 7.

Game Notes
  • The 69 points were the most by a Panther football team since VUU scored 69 points against Saint Augustine's University on October 1, 2022.
  • The 69 points were also the most scored by Virginia Union in a season opener since the Panthers scored 77 points in the 2022 season opener against the Virginia University of Lynchburg on September 1, 2022.
  • This was also the most points scored by a Virginia Union team against Kentucky State.  It eclipsed the 59 points scored against KSU in 1985.
  • VUU's record against Kentucky State is now 6-0.
  • Jada Byers' 211 rushing yards is his highest total since rushing for 223 yards against Bowie State University on Octpber 14. 2-23.
  • Byers now has 50 career rushing touchdowns, second only to Andre Braxton's school-record of 63 rushing TDs/
  • RJ Rosales' 223 passing yards were the most by a Panthers QB since Christian Reid passed for 276 yards against Bluefield State University on October 28, 2023.
  • The 90 yards of KSU offense is the lowest total of a VUU opponent since the Panther defense held Elizabeth City State University to 90 total offensive yards on October 8, 2022.
  • Virginia Union's next opponent, Hampton, lost to Morgan State University 30-28.
  • VUU's record against Hampton is 41-41-3.
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