ETTRICK, Va. (WRIC) — The Panthers trailed 24-7 halfway through the second quarter to the Trojans and looked to have no answer for anything Virginia State head coach Byron Thweatt threw at them.
Halftime adjustments and some help from poor weather conditions sparked a 21-3 run starting in the second quarter all the way into the fourth quarter to pull of an improbable comeback to end the season on a high note over Virginia State, 28-27.
Virginia Union, who came into the game with a slight chance of winning the CIAA Northern Division title, needed the heroics of junior quarterback Shawheem Dowdy to pull it off. He threw three touchdowns on the day, two of them in the crucial fourth quarter to Olu Igezwire and Chazton McKenzie.
The latter touchdown tied the game at 27, Beymar Piraquive hit the point after attempt to give Virginia Union a 28-27 lead.
With under a minute to play, Virginia State held their ground forcing a punt from the Panthers, only to have it literally slip away through the hands of Trojans’ senior receiver Jaivon Smallwood. Virginia Union recovered the fumble and then kneeled on the next offensive play to seal the victory.
However, Bowie State was able to defeat Elizabeth City State 63-42 to lock the CIAA Northern Division title based on the head to head matchup with Virginia Union.
