The Panthers of Virginia Union were playing for pride, and unfortunately, the CIAA Championship-bound Trojans of Virginia State were playing for and with the same exact thing. 1st-year Head Coach Latrell Scott has our vote for Coach of the Year after turning the Trojans fortunes around in a single season, which has to be one of if not the school’s best ever at 9 – 1. Union finishes the season at 3 – 7, a season that sandwiched the 3 wins in between the four-game losing streak that started the season, and the three-game skid that ended it. The Trojans now move on to the title game next weekend in Winston-Salem where they will face the 3-time defending CIAA champion Rams for the 2013 crown and a spot in the NCAA playoffs. For details and tickets go to vsu.edu or visit theciaa.com.
Meanwhile, the University of Richmond has recorded two straight wins after beating CAA newcomer StonyBrook 39 – 31 on the road Saturday. The win improves the Spiders record to 4 – 6 with two games remaining, and if UR can finish 6 – 6, that would have to be considered a remarkable feat. Richmond plays at Delaware next Saturday. Another rough day for Coach Mike London and the Virginia Cavaliers, who were steamrolled at North Carolina as the Tar Heels jumped out to a 28 – zip lead and never looked back in a 45 – 14 rout in Chapel Hill. UVA falls to 2 – 8 with No. 11 Miami up next.
In the MEAC, the Pirates of Hampton University got it done at home against North Carolina Central, defeating the Eagles 29 – 21. It was the Pirates 4th league win after starting the 2013 season 0 – 4. Norfolk State, which had high expectations before the season, have seen it become a gridiron nightmare. On Saturday, the Spartans went into Florida to take on the MEAC’s top dog in Bethune-Cookman, and Behold! The Green & Gold finally arrived and sure enough, Norfolk State pulled off the upset at Daytona, beating the league’s only remaining unbeaten team 27 – 24. Norfolk State improves to 3 – 7 with two games left.
