Virginia Union University's Jada Byers rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns, but Hampton University outlasted the Panthers 33-21 on Saturday, September 7, in Hampton, Va.

VUU's Shamar Graham had a career high 17 tackles, including 10 in the first quarter alone, while teammates Donald Gatling and Jabrill Norman had 12 tackles apiece.

Virginia Union's quarterback RJ Rosales completed three of six passes for 114 yards and a touchdown.

"We didn't finish," said VUU Head Football Coach Dr. Alvin Parker.  "It's something we teach our guys every day in practice, but today we just didn't finish the game.  You have to play four quarters, and we didn't accomplish that today.

Virginia Union is now 1-1 on the season and will have a bye week next weekend.  The Panthers will return to action when they travel to Charlotte, N.C., to face the Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 21.

Game Notes

• Jada Byers now has 52 career rushing touchdowns.  The VUU school record is 63, currently held by Andre Braxton.
• Byer's 105 yards marked the fifth straight game where he has rushed for 100 or more yards.
• Shamar Graham's 17 tackles were the most by a VUU player since Charles Davis had 17 tackles against the University of Charleston on September 13, 2014.
• Hampton now holds a 42-41-3 edge in the Panther-Pirate series which dates back to 1906.
• Virginia Union has a bye week this weekend.  The Panthers next game will be against Johnson C. Smith University on September 21 in Charlotte, N.C.
• The Golden Bulls are 2-0 in 2024 after beating Morehouse College 37-13 on September 7 in Atlanta, Ga.  Johnson C. Smith will play Lincoln University of Pennsylvania at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 14.
• VUU has won the last five meetings between the two schools.
• Virginia Union beat JCSU in the last match up, 43-7, on September 25, 2021, in Charlotte, NC.
• VUU holds a 33-8 edge over the Golden Bulls in a series which dates back to 1926.