-Virginia Union University topples Fayetteville State 21 to 10-
Historically Black colleges Virginia Union University (VUU) and Fayetteville State University (FSU) are longtime CIAA rivals who have competed for decades against each other from academics to athletics to nearly everything in between.
On Nov. 11 at the Salem Stadium, this year’s Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Football Championship was up for grabs. In addition to the action on the field, the school’s marching bands, cheerleaders and supporters showed out in ways that only HBCUs can.
Before kick-off, Nina Giles, a VUU alum, made a friendly wager with her cousin, Veronica, an FSU alum. “Since we both love our alma maters, we decided that the loser had to wear any school apparel of the winner’s choice,” Giles said with a smile. “Suffice to say, Veronica’s friends are going to have a field day when they see her in Virginia Union gear.”
Fayetteville State head coach Richard Hayes and his counterpart Alvin Parker have been great ambassadors at their respective institutions.
Both teams had a clear game plan when they hit the gridiron. On their first offensive possession, VUU connected on a 14-play drive for 75 yards, resulting in a touchdown. As ruthless as Union’s defense was, the same can be said about their rushing attack.
At the end of the first quarter, FSU had just two first downs and one pass completion. The second quarter didn’t get much better as the team’s struggles continued on both sides of the ball. Fourteen of Union’s 21 points were scored in the first half.
Starting Broncos quarterback Joe Owens suffered a lower leg injury in the second quarter, forcing him to miss the rest of the game. Sophomore backup Demari Daniels did his best to spell Owens. His 5-for-12 completions registered 89 yards.
“It felt like momentum was on our side coming out of the second quarter. We should have scored a touchdown and not merely a field goal. You have to give credit to Virginia Union and their great defense though,” Hayes said.
Panther tailback Jada Byers had 40 rugged carries for a game-high 135 yards. Broncos’ wide receiver Barry Elliott registered a 91-yard touchdown kickoff return, FSU’s sole one. Both were named the game’s most valuable player.
“Everyone displayed a champion effort. The numbers don’t lie, my guys were extraordinarily consistent all season long,” Parker said after his team’s 21-10 victory.
Most of the student-athletes who saw the field have at least one more year of college eligibility.
In 11 games, the Panthers (10-1) limited the opposition to just 37.3 rushing yards per contest and 18 touchdowns. Their only loss was in September to FSU (8-3) on a rainy night in Richmond. Had the Broncos won, they would have repeated as CIAA Football Champions.
With Saturday’s victory, Virginia Union not only claimed its 11th conference football title in school history, but also an eighth seed in the 2023 NCAA Division II Football Playoffs.
The CIAA is the oldest HBCU conference in the country. Both programs boast several former NFL players as alumni, including Malcolm Barnwell, Tony Leonard and Richard Medlin.
