DURHAM, N.C.  – Freshman Joe Nguyen (Charlotte, NC) kicked two good field goals for 73 yards total for Shaw University, but the Bears suffered a 22-13 loss to Virginia Union University at Durham County Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Panthers tallied 408 total yards (222 rushing and 186 passing) en route to the nine point victory. This loss marks the first time since 1978 that the Bears started with a 0-5 record and the second consecutive loss to Virginia Union in the past two seasons.

Despite the Bears (0-5 overall, 0-2 CIAA) setback, the nine-point margin was the smallest in the five losses. Virginia Union improves to 4-1 on the season and 2-0 in the league.

Shaw offense recorded 198 total offensive yards (-25 rushing and 223 passing). Senior Quenton Rucker (Atlanta, GA) passed for 223 yards and one touchdown, connecting with six different receivers. Senior Danny Webster, Jr. (New Burn, NC) led all pass catchers with 77 receiving yards. Senior Artravius James (College Park, GA) caught three passes for 23 yards and a touchdown.

Junior Travis Lock (Lynbrook, NY)  led SU with 26 rushing yards on seven attempts - for 3.7 yards per carry average, while senior Marquise Grizzle (Camden, NC) added 17 rushing yards on nine attempts.

VUU's Anthony Michael  kicked a 38 yard field goal to give the Panthers the early 3-0 lead in the first quarter. The Panthers scored two more times in the second quarter after Shaheem Dowdy connected with Chazto Mckenzie for a seven yard pass touchdown at the 9:39 mark before throwing a 18 yard pass to Malcolm Morris for a touchdown at the 2:48 mark.

SU responded with a 11 yard Rucker to James touchdown that made the score 16-7 with 31 seconds remaining in the first half.

VUU scored one more time in the  third quarter with a touchdown at the 13:15 mark; however, the Bears continued to fight when Nguyen kicked a 33 yard field goal at the 2:31 mark, followed by a 40 yard field goal in the fourth quarter to pull within nine points (22-13) as the game clock showed 1:11 remaining.

Shaw tried to get something going as time continued to run down but an interception would close out the Bears chances of coming back as the Panthers preserved the 22-13 win.

Defensively, Roland Green (Bluffton, SC) anchored the Bears defense, collecting 13 tackles on the evening, including seven solo and six assisted.  Marquis Burrell (Bronx, NY) and Moses White (Gordan Heights, NY) each finished with nine tackles and one tackle for a loss apiece.

The Bears will look to recover on Saturday, Oct. 10th when they travel to Fayetteville State University for a CIAA Southern Division matchup. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m.

For the most up-to-date information on Shaw football and its 11 varsity sport teams, visit shawbears.com.