PETERSBURG, Va. (November 7, 2026) – The Virginia Union University football team officially captured the 2026 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Regular Season Championship with a 36-14 victory over Virginia State University on Saturday at Rogers Stadium in Petersburg, Va.
The Panthers finished the regular season with an undefeated 8-0 record in CIAA play and improved to 9-1 overall. The championship marks the second consecutive season Virginia Union has gone undefeated in conference play, the first time the Panthers have accomplished that feat since 1917 and 1918.
"We can officially say that we are regular season champions, and I couldn't be prouder of this group of young men," said VUU Head Football Coach Dr. Alvin Parker. "Today, we leaned on the things that have made us successful all season and played complementary football in all three phases of the game. Words can't fully express how elated I am for our players, coaches, support staff, and Panther Nation. This accomplishment is a testament to the hard work, commitment, and belief that everyone has poured into this program. We're going to enjoy this moment, but we know there's still more work to be done in Durham next week."
Virginia Union controlled the game through the first three quarters, building a 27-0 advantage before Virginia State scored twice in the fourth quarter.
Quarterback
RJ Rosales completed 16 of 22 passes for 211 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 35 yards and a touchdown. Rosales connected with
Latrell Sutton for two first-half touchdowns, covering 25 and 10 yards, respectively, before finding
Zyaire Tart for a 21-yard scoring strike in the third quarter.
Sutton finished with three receptions for 55 yards and two touchdowns, while Tart had three catches for 34 yards and a score.
Montrell Wright led the Panthers with eight receptions for 118 yards.
Running back
Ramon Brown added 111 yards on 29 carries, including a seven-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
Virginia State scored twice in the fourth quarter to make it 27-14, but Rosales answered with a one-yard touchdown run with 1:39 remaining. The Panthers added a safety moments later to establish the final 36-14 margin.
Virginia Union finished with 384 yards of total offense, including 173 rushing yards and 211 passing yards. The Panthers also held a commanding advantage in time of possession, controlling the ball for 34:51.
The VUU defense limited Virginia State to 170 total yards, including just 16 rushing yards. The Panthers recorded five sacks, eight tackles for loss, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a safety.
Elijah Candia led the defensive effort with six tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks.
Jessiah Gildersleeve added five tackles, a tackle for loss and a sack.
Christian Aiken recorded a sack and forced a fumble, while
Quincy Jefferson and Cortney Davis each intercepted a pass.
With the CIAA regular-season championship secured, Virginia Union will now turn its attention to the postseason.
The Panthers will face Johnson C. Smith University in the CIAA Championship Game at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 14, in Durham, N.C.
