Richmond, VA – While battling the wind and rain of tropical storm/depression Ophelia, Fayetteville State's
Jacob Meneses kicked a second game-winner in the final seconds to improve the Broncos to 2-0 in the CIAA and 2-2 overall with a 10-7 victory over undefeated Virginia Union (3-1, 1-1 CIAA).
In the final four minutes and twenty seconds left in the game and the score tied 7-7, FSU's
Quran Blount recovered a VUU fumble on the Panthers' 38-yard line to set up the Broncos' final drive.
Advancing the ball to Union's 32 and facing 4th-and-4, a Bronco timeout with 2:02 remaining helped FSU set up a nine-yard pass from
Joe Owens to
Barry Elliott for a first down on the Panthers' 23-yard line.
Julian Milligan rushed the ball to the 10-yard line for another first down. Following two attempts to score, and timeouts called by both teams with nine seconds remaining, Meneses returned to the field for a 27-yard field goal attempt. The kick sailed left hit the upright and proceeded toward the right and through the uprights for a second nail-biting victory.
Last weekend, Meneses hit a 40-yard with no seconds left in the 20-17 victory over Lincoln.
Fayetteville State was the first to score in the first quarter following a Virginia Union fumble by quarterback Christian Reid. Reid's turnover was recovered by the Broncos'
Shawn Robinson at the VUU two-yard line.
Caden Davis tossed a four-yard pass over the defense to the hands of tight end
Christian Powell with 4:15 left.
Virginia Union's Christian Reid threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Kalen Carver with 11:42 left in the first half to tie the game.
Jacob Meneses was named the Offensive MVP following the game-winning kick. Linebacker
Brian Grier received the Defensive MVP with a game-high 10 tackles (6 solo, 4 assisted), a forced fumble, and recovery.
It was a run-game type of night with Virginia Union leading the attack with 164 yards to the Broncos' 41. Fayetteville State threw for 51 yards to the Panthers' 20.
Fayetteville State will travel to Bluefield, West Virginia next weekend to take on Bluefield State at 1:00 p.m.
