Richmond, VA - Shaw University fell 31-9 against Virginia Union University on Saturday afternoon at Hovey Field, in Richmond, VA.

With the loss, Shaw drops to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play, while Virginia Union improves to 4-1 on the season and 2-2 in CIAA action. 

Virginia Union produced 347 yards of total offense during the afternoon with quarterbacks Kenneth Graham and Shawheem Dowdy completing 16 of 28 passes for 292 yards and one of three passes respectively.  Graham connected with two different receivers and projected two touchdown passes in the victory, while Dowdy did not produce a touchdown. 

The Bears could not generate a ground game, with only 52 net yards rushing.  Shaw quarterback Trey Folston completed 17 of 37 passes for  232 yards and only one touchdown.

Both teams came onto the field playing strong defense and held each other scoreless in the first quarter.

The Panthers scored the first points of the contest on a 43- yard field goal by Troy Krepich in the second quarter giving the Panthers a 3-0. The Bears answered with a 34- yard field goal by Shaw's Ian Burris evening up the game 3-3 in the second quarter. Virginia Union would go on to score a touchdown, giving the Panthers a 10-3 lead going to into half-time.

Virginia Union came into the second half playing strong, scoring 14 unanswered points in the third quarter.

Mid-way through the fourth quarter running back, Marquise Grizzle collected a screen pass from Folston and found the end zone for a 37-yard touchdown . Folston attempted a two-point conversion but was hit on the pass attempt by Panthers defense making the score 24-9. The Panthers would go on to score another seven points in the fourth quarter, winning the game 31-9.

Defensively Shaw was led by Evan Strange who finished with eight solo tackles, two tackles assisted, two sacks and three-and-a-half tackles for loss. N'Gal Tillman recorded four solo tackles, two assisted tackles and two break-ups. Senior defensive back Thomas Street had two solo and two assisted tackles as well as an interception. 

The Bears return home October 11th when they host Fayetteville State University at Durham County Stadium. Kick-off is slated for 1:00pm.