Game Information
Matchup: Virginia Union (3-1, 2-0 CIAA) at Fayetteville State (2-2, 1-1 CIAA)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 26
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium, Fayetteville, NC
Link to Live Stats, Game Program, Broadcast, and Tickets: https://fsubroncos.com/gameday

FAYETTEVILLE, NC – Fayetteville State returns to Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, for a key CIAA matchup against Virginia Union. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Fayetteville. The Broncos enter at 2-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play, while the Panthers arrive at 3-1 overall and 2-0 in the CIAA.

The matchup brings together two programs expected to be among the conference contenders this season. Virginia Union was selected as the 2026 CIAA preseason favorite, while Fayetteville State was picked third.

About the Broncos
Fayetteville State returns home looking to rebound from a hard-fought 20-14 road loss to Johnson C. Smith. The Broncos held a 14-13 lead with just over seven minutes remaining before the Golden Bulls responded with the eventual game-winning touchdown.

FSU enters Saturday averaging 274.0 yards of total offense per game, including 166.3 through the air and 107.8 on the ground. Quarterback Jamir Dismukes has been the centerpiece of the offense, completing 55 of 87 passes for 646 yards and three touchdowns while adding another 149 yards and two scores on the ground.

Defensively, Fayetteville State will be challenged by a Virginia Union offense averaging 32.0 points and 398.3 yards per game. The Broncos have recorded nine sacks this season and have produced four interceptions.

About the Panthers
Virginia Union enters Fayetteville riding a three-game winning streak after opening its season with a loss to Lenoir-Rhyne. The Panthers have responded with victories over Livingstone, Chowan and Bluefield State.

The Panthers have established themselves with a balanced attack, averaging 398.3 total yards per game. Virginia Union is especially dangerous on the ground, averaging 203.3 rushing yards per contest while producing 10 rushing touchdowns.

Quarterback RJ Rosales has completed 37 of 63 passes for 604 yards with five touchdowns and only one interception. The Panthers also have several options in the backfield, led by Ramon Brown, who has rushed for 265 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 6.0 yards per carry.

Virginia Union is coming off its most dominant defensive performance of the season, a 42-0 shutout of Bluefield State. The victory improved the Panthers to 3-1 overall and extended their winning streak to three games.

Players to Watch
Fayetteville State

• Jamir Dismukes | Quarterback - Dismukes' ability to create with both his arm and legs makes him the player to watch for the Broncos. He has thrown for 646 yards and three touchdowns, completing 63.2% of his passes, while rushing for 149 yards and two scores. Against Johnson C. Smith, Dismukes rushed for a team-high 58 yards, including a 30-yard fourth-quarter touchdown that temporarily gave FSU the lead.
• Braylon Vinson | Running Back - Vinson leads Fayetteville State's rushing attack with 212 yards on 49 carries, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt. His 63-yard long shows his big-play capability, while his ability as a receiver gives the Broncos another option out of the backfield.
• Ryan Debow | Defensive Back - Debow has been one of FSU's most consistent defenders through four games. He leads the Broncos with 33 tackles, including 14 solo stops, while adding three tackles for loss and a pass breakup. His tackling will be especially important against Virginia Union's productive rushing attack.
• Jatavien Taylor | Defensive Player - Taylor has made an impact around the line of scrimmage with 27 tackles, four tackles for loss and a sack. He also has a pass breakup and a forced fumble. His ability to disrupt plays in the backfield could be critical in slowing a Virginia Union offense averaging more than 200 rushing yards per game.

Virginia Union

• RJ Rosales | Quarterback - Rosales gives the Panthers efficiency through the air. He has completed 37 of 63 passes for 604 yards, throwing five touchdowns against only one interception. His ability to complement Virginia Union's rushing attack makes it difficult for defenses to commit too many defenders to the box.
• Ramon Brown | Running Back - Brown headlines a deep Virginia Union backfield with 265 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 44 carries. His 6.0-yard average makes him a threat to turn successful early-down runs into explosive gains.
• Ahmad Ross | Defensive Player - Ross leads Virginia Union with 37 tackles, including 21 solo stops, and has added a sack. His production puts him at the center of a Panthers defense that will try to contain Dismukes and Fayetteville State's rushing attack.
• Christian Aiken | Defensive Player - Aiken brings pressure to the Virginia Union front. Through four games, he has 26 tackles and three sacks, making his matchup with Fayetteville State's pass protection one to watch. Keeping Aiken away from Dismukes will be important if FSU wants to establish its passing game.

By the Numbers

Category	Fayetteville State	Virginia Union
Overall Record	2-2	3-1
CIAA Record	1-1	2-0
Points Per Game	16.5	32.0
Total Offense/Game	274.0	398.3
Rushing Yards/Game	107.8	203.3
Passing Yards/Game	166.3	195.0
Third-Down Conversion	28.9%	47.5%
Sacks	9	15
Field Goals	3-5	3-4
Avg. Time of Possession	29:10	28:51
Red-Zone Scores	7 of 11	14 of 17

Keys to the Game

• Stop the Run - Virginia Union's ability to run the football presents one of the biggest challenges for Fayetteville State. The Panthers average 203.3 rushing yards per game and 5.3 yards per carry. Brown, Travon Tensley and Jerome Jones have combined for 573 rushing yards, giving VUU several options. FSU's front seven must win early downs and force Virginia Union into obvious passing situations.
• Protect Dismukes - Virginia Union has generated 15 sacks through four games, while Fayetteville State has surrendered seven. Giving Dismukes time to operate will be critical. His ability to escape pressure can extend plays, but the Broncos will want him making decisions from a clean pocket rather than consistently scrambling away from the Panthers' pass rush.
• Stay Ahead of the Chains - Third downs could tell the story Saturday. Virginia Union enters converting 47.5% of its third-down opportunities, compared with Fayetteville State's 28.9%. Sustaining drives will be particularly important for FSU because it will also help keep Virginia Union's productive offense on the sideline.
• Finish in the Red Zone - Fayetteville State has scored on seven of its 11 trips inside the red zone but has produced touchdowns on only four of those opportunities. Virginia Union, meanwhile, has scored on 14 of 17 red-zone trips. Against an offense averaging 32 points per game, the Broncos will need to turn scoring opportunities into touchdowns.
• Eliminate Costly Penalties - Fayetteville State was penalized 10 times for 101 yards against Johnson C. Smith. With Saturday's matchup offering little room for error, avoiding penalties that erase positive plays or extend Virginia Union possessions will be critical.

What to Expect
Saturday's matchup could be decided by which team controls the tempo.

Fayetteville State's path starts with defense. Debow, Taylor and Kadynce Watson, who has 24 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup, will lead a unit tasked with making Virginia Union earn its yards and preventing explosive plays.

Offensively, the Broncos will look to Dismukes and Vinson to provide balance. Dismukes showed his playmaking ability late against Johnson C. Smith, leading a 75-yard fourth-quarter touchdown drive and scoring on a 30-yard run. If FSU can establish Vinson early, protect Dismukes and stay manageable on third down, opportunities could open through the air.

Special teams could also loom large in a close contest. Virginia Union has already demonstrated its ability to flip a game in the return phase, while Fayetteville State's punting unit enters the matchup averaging more than 41 yards per punt.

With Virginia Union trying to remain unbeaten in conference play and Fayetteville State looking to get back in the CIAA win column, Saturday presents an important early-season conference test at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium.

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