Raleigh, NC – The Shaw University football team hits the road for the second straight week for Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) action as they travel to Richmond, VA for a crucial cross-division CIAA matchup against the Virginia Union University Panthers Saturday, October 2.
Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. inside Hovey Stadium and can be seen live on the CIAA Sports Network.
Shaw enters the contest at 2-2 overall and 1-0 in CIAA action most recently producing an impressive 41-6 victory of Lincoln (PA) this past Saturday in Coatesville, PA. The Bears shook off a slow start on offense in the first half to explode for 28 points in the seconds half while pitching a shutout in the last 30 minutes of play. Andre Brandon Jr. finished the day with a career-high three rushing touchdowns and 79 yards on the ground. Sidney Gibbs followed with 60 yards and one touchdown providing a needed one-two punch. Shaw leads the CIAA in rushing yards per game at 198 per outing.
Quarterback Christian Peters continued his streak of games with a passing touchdown connecting with tight end Allajah Mitchell from 31 yards out in the third quarter. Peters is near the top of the conference in completion percentage at 63.2% to go with six passing touchdowns to just three interceptions. Peters does a good job spreading the ball equally on offense with 14 different Bears having caught at least one pass on the season. Ah'Shaan Belcher leads in receptions and yards at 13 and 222 respectively. The Shaw offense ranks fourth in the CIAA in total yards per game at 364.
The stingy and stout Bears defense is currently tied for first in the CIAA in scoring allowing just 16 ppg. Shaw is lead by former CIAA Defensive POTY Devon Hunt who currently has 37 total tackles on the season including a season-high 16 against FCS Davidson last month. Defensive back Jaleel Scroggins follows with 17 tackles and one interception. Defensive lineman Javari Burgess leads in tackles for loss with 3.5.
Virginia Union returns to Richmond also at 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the CIAA after a dominating 43-7 win over Johnson C. Smith this past Saturday in Charlotte. The Panthers scored at will building a 33-7 lead at halftime before cruising to their first conference win. The victory was the second straight for the Panthers who defeated Virginia University of Lynchburg 49-7 on September 18. The VUU offense averages just under 32 points per outing while allowing 26.7 points on defense. Jada Byers leads the Panthers rushing attack with 354 total yards and three touchdowns. Charles Hall is the key target in the passing game with 375 yards on 12 catches including a 77-yard score last week against JCSU. Tovias Parker leads the VUU defense with 22 tackles and two pass breakups followed by Domantay Rhem with 18 tackles and one interception.
