RICHMOND, VA – Virginia Union University defeated Johnson C. Smith University 28-10 in the Willard Bailey Classic on Saturday, September 20, at Hovey Field in Richmond, Va.
Senior running back
Curtis Allen (Petersburg, Va.) led the way for the Panthers, rushing for
108 yards and four touchdowns to earn
Offensive Player of the Game honors.
On defense, redshirt junior
Zachary Weaver (Dinwiddie, Va.) recorded a team-high
seven tackles, securing
Defensive Player of the Game recognition.
"I'm extremely proud of the way our team competed tonight," said VUU Head Football Coach
Dr. Alvin Parker. "This was a statement win for our program against a very good JCSU team. Beyond the final score, it was a showcase for HBCU football culture, with two top-25 teams battling at a high level. The home crowd brought tremendous energy, and our players really fed off that atmosphere."
Despite a
90-minute weather delay, a crowd of
7,504 fans packed Hovey Field to witness the annual classic honoring legendary coach
Willard Bailey.
The win improved Virginia Union's record to
2-1 on the season, while Johnson C. Smith dropped to
3-1.
The Panthers will now travel to Raleigh, N.C., to face
Shaw University at
1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 27.
