VA Union Routs Morehouse At Black College Football Hall Of Fame Classic

Originally posted on FanNation HBCU Legends
By Kyle T. Mosley | Last updated 9/3/23

The Virginia Union Panthers routed the Morehouse Maroon Tigers at the 2023 Black College Football Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio. All-SIAC running back Jada Myers was the game's Offensive MVP, rushing 24 times for 149 yards and three touchdowns. Byers started the scoring on the Panthers' first drive with a 29-yard burst through the Maroon Tigers defensive line. The possession was for 12 plays and 49 yards in 5:08.

"Like I tell everybody this," Jada Byers said in his post-game. It's not me that's going to lie. Women lie numbers don't lie. I got the best front five in the nation."

VA Union defender Jabrill Norman, the game's Defensive MVP, intercepted and returned a Derrach West pass interception for a touchdown. The defensive back would also recover a Morehouse later in the contest.

"We're able to come here represent like we did," Coach Alvin Parker told NFL Network. "I'm just happy. It's about the guys. These guys were working hard all summer, so to come here and play like we did."

Morehouse scored its first touchdown when Delvin Olawumi Jr. blocked a Marvin Holmes punt to creep down by 7 points, 14-7, with 8:53 left in the third quarter.

The Maroon Tigers offense was inept most of the tilt, allowing the Virginia Union to score four unanswered touchdowns. A 24-yard run by Jada Byers to the power side of the offensive line gave Virginia Union a 21-7 lead following a six-play and 78-yard drive. On the Panthers' next possession after a botched Morehouse punt, Byers added his third touchdown with a one-yard plunge. Virginia increased its lead to 28-7 with 14:56 in the fourth quarter. Later, QB Christian Reid located fullback Joe Johnson in the flat to cruise into the endzone. The Panthers would take a commanding 35-7 advantage over Morehouse with 12:08 remaining.

VA Union's second-string signal-caller R.J. Rosales evaded several Morehouse defenders for a 12-yard scamper, giving the Panthers the 42-7 edge with 8:26 left in the contest. The Maroon Tigers finally answered as backup quarterback Jaylon West hit tight end Brogan Korta for a nice 31-yard touchdown with 6:03 on the clock. The drive was for four plays, 57 yards, and 2:12 time of possession. Still, the Panther would have the last word after a 9-play, 88-yard drive capped off by Brady Myers' 27-yard field goal with 36 seconds on the scoreboard. The Panthers soundly defeated the Maroon Tigers, 45-13.

This article first appeared on FanNation HBCU Legends and was syndicated with permission.

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