SALEM, Virginia -- Fayetteville State fell 21-10 to Virginia Union Saturday afternoon in the CIAA Football Championship game in Salem, Va.
The Panthers improved to 10-1 on the year, while the Broncos dropped to 8-3.
Julian Milligan paced the Broncos rushing attack by accumulating 28 yards over the course of the game, averaging 4 yards per carry. Joe Owens, Jr. also added eight yards on the ground, averaging 4 yards per carry. He exited the game early after completing one of eight passes for five yards. Demari Daniels, who entered the game harboring an injury sustained near the end of the regular season, threw successfully to five targets on 12 attempts for 89 yards. He was sacked five times.
The most prolific target for Fayetteville State quarterbacks was Kameron King, who caught three passes for 74 yards.
Quran Blount led the Fayetteville State defensive effort, recording four tackles, 1.5 TFL, and one sack. Brian Grier added four tackles, 2.0 TFL, and one sack and Shi Gaskin had nine tackles, 1.5 TFL, and 1.5 sacks in the loss.
Defensively, Fayetteville State held up fairly well against the Virginia Union offensive attack, holding the Panthers to 222 total yards. The Broncos defense took up residence in Virginia Union's backfield all game, piling up four sacks and seven total tackles for loss.
How It Happened
Fayetteville State responded to an early 14-0 Virginia Union lead with a third quarter to narrow the deficit to 14-10. Fayetteville State didn't score again in the game and Virginia Union tacked on seven more points to finish off the scoring.
Game Notes
» Virginia Union out-gained Fayetteville State 222-130 in the contest.
» Fayetteville State tallied 7 points in the second quarter, accounting for 70% of their total score.
» Fayetteville State converted 3 of 12 third downs while Virginia Union was successful on 6 of 15.
» The Broncos had three players with more than eight tackles in the ballgame led by Elijah Casey, who had 11.
» Christian Reid led the Panthers passing attack, completing eight of his 15 attempts for 64 yards.
» Jada Byers led the Virginia Union rushing attack with 135 yards and two touchdowns.
