RICHMOND, VA – The Virginia Union University Department of Athletics has released its football schedule for the upcoming 2007 season. The schedule features 2 non-conference opponents and 8 CIAA membership institutions.
The Panthers will open their season on Thursday, August 30th, traveling to Hickory, NC to take on Lenoir-Rhyne College. The Bears are coming off of a 3-8 season and are members of the South Atlantic Conference.
VUU’s home-opener will take place on Saturday, September 8th, when the Panthers are visited by Central State University (Wilberforce, OH). Last season, Virginia Union defeated CSU in 4 overtimes by a final score of 55-53. The Marauders are members of the Great Lakes Football Conference and finished last season with an overall record of
2-5.
Virginia Union will begin CIAA play on September 15th, when they travel to Salisbury, NC to take on the Blue Bears of Livingstone College. Last season, the Panthers edged LC by a final score of 14-12.
On September 22nd, the Panthers will travel to Lawrenceville, VA to face off against the Tigers of Saint Paul’s College in a CIAA Eastern Divisional match-up. Last season, VUU downed the Tigers by a final score of 23-7.
Homecoming will take place on September 29th, when the Panthers take on CIAA-Western Division opponent Saint Augustine’s College. This is the first time that these two teams have met since the 2004 football season. VUU won the last meeting 20-16.
The Panthers will take on another CIAA Western Division opponent on October 6th, when they travel to Charlotte, NC to take on the Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University. VUU looks to avenge last season’s 5 overtime loss to JCSU when they fell by a final score off 12-9.
The 6th Annual Lucille M. Brown Community Youth Bowl will be held on October 13th, when VUU hosts Elizabeth City State University. The Community Youth Bowl is designed to expose area youth to the VUU college experience through academic, athletic and cultural experiences. The Vikings are coming off of a 9-3 season (7-0 CIAA) and are the reigning CIAA Eastern Division Champions. Last season, the Panthers fell to the Vikings by a final score of 29-21.
The 31st Annual Gold Bowl will take place on October 20th when the Panthers host the Bulldogs of Bowie State University. This is the last home contest of the season for the Panthers. Last season, VUU pulled away from the Bulldogs by a final score of 9-7.
The VUU Panthers will travel to Petersburg, VA to take on arch-rival Virginia State University in a CIAA Eastern Divisional match-up. Last season the Panthers downed VSU 34-31.
Virginia Union University will conclude their regular season in a road contest against the Broncos of Fayetteville State University on November 3rd. Last year the Broncos spoiled the Panthers season opener 25-12.
Last season, the Panthers finished 2nd in the CIAA’s Eastern Division, posting an overall record of 7-3 (5-2 CIAA). In addition, VUU finished the season ranked 1st in the CIAA in rushing yards averaging 165.6 yards per game rushing. VUU was ranked 2nd in the conference in scoring offense averaging 27.5 points per game. For additional information, please contact the VUU Office of Sports Information at tbsykes@vuu.edu.
