September 3, 2007
Virginia Union Nabs 5 of 8 CIAA Weekly Honors
HAMPTON , VA – The Virginia Union University football team opened their season with a convincing win over Lenoir-Rhyne College during Week 2 of the CIAA's regular season schedule. The win was impressive enough to earn 5 Panthers CIAA Weekly honors as voted on by the CIAA Sports Information Directors' Association.
The Panthers swept weekly honors on the offensive side of the ball. CIAA Offensive lineman of the Week honors went to David Mims (6-8/330/FR/Charlotte, NC). Mims recovered a teammates' fumble and toted it 2 yards to the end zone for a VUU touchdown. Michael Hampton (5-10/180/JR/Charlotte, NC) earned Receiver of the Week honors, after posting 106 yards on 5 receptions. Rounding out offensive honors for the Panthers is quarterback Lamar Little (5-11/204/JR/Candor, NC). Little threw for 247 yards, completing 16 of 27 passes in VUU's season debut.
Wayne Motley (6-2/212/JR/Richmond, VA) garnered Specialty Player of the Week honors. The punter landed 5 of 7 punts inside the 20-yard line, including a long of 45 yards.
Arrington Jones, III (4 th season/13-18) took home CIAA Coach of the Week honors. He led the Panthers to a 28-13 victory over Lenoir Rhyne-College. The win marked the first time that Panthers have won their season-opener since 2002.
This Saturday, the Panthers will host the Marauders of Central State University (OH). Kick-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM at Virginia Union University's Hovey Field. For additional information, please contact the VUU Office of Sports Information at tbsykes@vuu.edu .
August 30, 2007
Virginia Union Wins Season Opener Over Lenoir-Rhyne 28-13
HICKORY , NC - It took exactly two minutes for the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears to boot a 42-yard field goal by Andrew Coln to give the Bears their first points of the game. Virginia Union came right back and scored a touchdown on a 30-yard run by Tarian Donaldson with 11:12 remaining in the first quarter.
The VUU defense held the Bears to a three-and-out on their very next possession. Lamar Little connected with Michael Hampton for a 48-yard pick-up and a red zone situation for the Panthers. Lamar Little found Steven Miller in the end zone only to be negated by a offensive pass interference.
On the first play of the second quarter, Union recovered a LRC fumble that gave the Panthers good field position on the Bear 49-yard line. After a fumble by Donaldson, teammate David Mims played heads up and recovered the ball in the end zone to give Union a 14-3 advantage with 12:03 left in the second quarter.
On the ensuing kick-off Lenoir-Rhyne's Matthew Taylor had a spectacular 87-yard return, dodging numerous tackles before Steven Tilghman brought him down on the VUU 8-yard line. The Bears' Andrew Coln converted on a 27-yard field goal to cut the lead to 14-6 with 9:37 remaining.
The second half proved itself eventful, with several exchanges of possession. At the start of the second half, the Panthers moved the ball swiftly down field, however, Lamar Little was intercepted in the end zone by LRC'S Barry Tate. On the next drive LRC running back James Pone had the ball stolen right out of his hands by VUU linebacker Hurley Hemphill. VUU's following drive was ended by a Tarian Donaldson fumble at the LRC 31-yard line, giving possession right back to the Bears at the end of the third quarter.
LRC did very little with their first possession of the fourth quarter. Quarterback Dennis Hickman was picked-off by defensive back D.J. Spellmon, resulting in a VUU touchdown. Hickman was picked-off again on the very next drive by VUU freshman Steven Tilghman at the Virginia Union 21-yard line. The Panthers turned the ball over on a botched snap, resulting eventually in a LRC touchdown.
Lamar Little connected with Phillip “Jarad” Taylor for a VUU touchdown with 6:49 remaining in the contest, lifting the Panthers' lead to 28-13.
Lamar Little's aerial attack proved to be too much for the Bears, posting 247 passing yards on the evening. His top receiver for the night would be Michael Hampton, who accounted for 108 yards on 5 receptions. Tarian Donaldson led the ground attack for VUU with 79 yards and 1 touchdown on 21 carries. Brandon Smith anchored the Panthers' defense, putting up 9 tackles and 3 sacks. Despite having three touchdowns called back, the Panthers were still able to secure a 28-13 victory.
The Panthers will return to action on Saturday, September 8 th , when they take on the Marauders of Central State University (OH). Kick-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM at Hovey Field on the campus of Virginia Union University. For additional information, please contact the VUU Office of Sports Information at tbsykes@vuu.edu .
