irginia Union University's football program kicked off the 2025 season with a statement win—and standout performances that are turning heads across the nation. Senior running back Curtis Allen has been named the National HBCU Player of the Week after leading the Panthers to a commanding 45-3 victory over Miles College in the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic, held Sunday, August 31, in Canton, Ohio.

Allen, a Petersburg, Virginia native majoring in Business, didn't just shine—he set a new Classic record, rushing for 185 yards and two touchdowns on just 17 carries. His explosive performance earned him another accolade as well: CIAA Offensive Back of the Week.

Joining him in the spotlight is Brady Myers, VUU's reliable kicker from Orlando, Florida. A senior majoring in Mass Communications, Myers was named the CIAA Special Teams Player of the Week after delivering a perfect day on the field. He nailed a 40-yard field goal and was 6-for-6 on extra point attempts, adding to the Panthers' dominant scoreline.

Head Coach Dr. Alvin Parker praised the pair for their leadership and execution:

"Being named National Player of the Week is a tremendous honor, and Curtis absolutely earned it with his outstanding performance in our season opener. His effort set the tone for the game, and the recognition is well deserved. Having both Curtis and Brady receive CIAA weekly honors is a testament to how well they performed against Miles. We're proud of them both and excited to see what they'll continue to do this season."

The Panthers now turn their focus to their next challenge as they prepare to face Edward Waters University in the Unity Classic, scheduled for Saturday, September 13 at 4:00 p.m. in Jacksonville, Florida.