Winston-Salem, NC — Virginia Union University left no doubt about its offensive identity on Saturday afternoon, overpowering Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) 44-34 at Bowman Gray Stadium behind a punishing ground attack that dictated the pace from the opening drive.
The Panthers rushed for a staggering 408 yards on 63 carries, chewing up more than 41 minutes of possession and wearing down a WSSU defense that simply couldn’t get off the field. Senior running back Curtis Allen was unstoppable, piling up 249 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 34 carries. From the first quarter on, he set a physical tone that mirrored Virginia Union’s dominance up front.
Virginia Union established control early
Virginia Union’s offensive line imposed its will immediately, opening up holes on the first two drives that ended with Allen touchdown runs of five and 24 yards. By the end of the first quarter, the Panthers led 16-0, having already forced a safety and outgained the Rams 153-13.
When Allen added a four-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter, the Panthers were ahead 23-0 and fully in control. Even when Winston-Salem State briefly found life through the air, Virginia Union responded by going right back to the run. The Panthers’ physicality consistently reset the line of scrimmage, creating second-and-short situations that allowed quarterback RJ Rosales to mix in timely play-action passes. Rosales finished with 143 yards and a touchdown while also adding 38 yards and a rushing score.
A brief WSSU rally
Winston-Salem State, to its credit, showed fight in front of its home crowd of roughly 6,000. Sophomore quarterback Daylin Lee connected with Jahari Mitchell three times for touchdowns, including a 36-yard strike that momentarily cut the deficit to 23-7 in the second quarter. Mitchell finished with 151 receiving yards and all three of WSSU’s passing scores, while running back JaQuan Kelly added a 62-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter to pull the Rams within 30-21…