With Virginia State’s 2013 Homecoming in the books, they now head to Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, where it is also Homecoming on Saturday, so the Trojans must mentally place themselves on the “other” side of the field on their opponent’s special day. So far, whatever the situation has called for, State has found the formula to pull victory from the jaws of defeat. Now 6 – 1, VSU hits the road with three games remaining, including the season finale at Roger’s Stadium on November 9th against arch-rival Virginia Union. The Trojans have now won five games in a row.
Speaking of the Panthers, who have surged back into the CIAA mix after winning three in a row, they are now 3 – 4 overall after suffering four consecutive losses to open the season. Even more importantly, VUU is now 3 – 1 in the North Division and trails arch-rival Virginia State by one game. So all of a sudden, that VUU-VSU matchup on the final Saturday in Petersburg is looking like a playoff game. But, there are three weeks to go, and anything can happen. The Panthers will certainly have their hands full this weekend at Bowie State, who may have let one slip away at VSU.
In the MEAC, Hampton University goes home to face Delaware State this Saturday fresh off their win over arch-rival Norfolk State in the Battle Of the Bay. While the Pirates have only won two of their seven games, yet they are 2 – 1 in the league and if they can gain some momentum, could be in the hunt down the stretch. Who would have thought? Meanwhile, it’s a tough season at Norfolk State University where the Spartans have fallen fast, and after last week’s home loss to Hampton, the Spartans are 2 – 5 and have another serious challenge this weekend with Old Dominion visiting. The Monarch scored 24 at Pittsburgh, and 38 at East Carolina, both losses, but those are majors.
In the Capital City, the University of Richmond returns home after a disappointing road loss at Rhode Island, which pretty much dashed the Spiders’ playoff hopes. At 2 – 5, UR will host the CAA’s top team in Towson, who comes to Richmond at 7 – 1. The ACC schedule marks the return of now 14th-ranked Virginia Tech to action after a week off, which could only benefit the Hokies, who have won six straight and welcome Duke to Blacksburg on Saturday. You remember the Dookies? These Blue Devils routed UVA last week in Charlottesville, and for the Cavaliers, it may get worse with both Techs, Clemson, Miami, and North Carolina remaining on the schedule. The Hokies and Wahoos collide in the season finale.
