Virginia Union 24, N.C. Central 7
Panther Second Quarter Too Much for Eagles
DURHAM, NC -- Virginia Union University scored three unanswered
touchdowns during a dominating second quarter en route to a 24-7 victory
over North Carolina Central University at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium in
Durham, NC.
The Panthers powered their way to 383 yards of total offense, while
holding the Eagles to 181 total yards, their second-lowest offensive
output of the season (106 yards at Morehouse).
VUU was sparked by multi-talented junior Cordell Roane, who ran for
a team-high 60 yards and a touchdown out of the quarterback position,
caught 5 passes for 95 yards as a wide receiver, and returned 3 punts
for 103 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown.
NCCU (3-5, 1-4 CIAA) got on the scoreboard first when junior
quarterback Lawrence Fuller connected with Ray Chambers for a 52-yard
touchdown at 10:30 of the first quarter. Brian Burke's successful extra
point kick gave the Eagles a 7-0 advantage, their first lead since
defeating Saint Augustine's on Oct. 5.
VUU started the second quarter at its own 1-yard line. Facing a
third down and 12 situation, Panther quarterback Antoine Alston
completed a 26-yard fade pass to Jerome Leslie to get VUU out of
trouble. The Panthers then patiently moved the pigskin down the field to
set up a 5-yard touchdown run by Roane with 8:31 on the second quarter
clock.
Five minutes later, Roane struck again with a 71-yard punt return
for a touchdown with 3:01 remaining before intermission.
Roane's next punt return went for 26 yards to give the Panthers
field position inside Eagle territory. Alston completed three
consecutive passes - to Roane for 14 yards, to Leslie for 7 yards, and
to Tramayne Hill for a 27-yard touchdown with just 1:09 left in the
first half.
After the Panthers tallied just 63 total yards in the first
quarter, including negative-2 yards in 11 rushing attempts, VUU amassed
176 total yards in the second quarter to take a 21-7 advantage at the
break.
Panther kicker Tony Oby booted a 34-yard field goal to put the game
away for Virginia Union (6-2, 4-1 CIAA).
Alston completed 14-of-28 pass attempts for 238 yards and a
touchdown for the Panthers. VUU's defense was charged by Gustavus Tyson
with a team-high 7 tackles, including a sack.
Anthony Saunders topped the NCCU ground game with 35 yards on 8
carries. Fuller finished with 19 yards rushing and 79 yards on 4-for-17
passing.
The Eagle defense was led by Luis George and Xavier Lock with 9
tackles each.
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