The Virginia State Trojans are in for a huge matchup against the Shaw Bears who are currently undefeated in the conference and atop of the Southern Division standings. This weekends game will be a pink out to honor the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The marquee matchup will also be Kids Day as well. Due to the forecasted rain, the matchup has been moved up to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 1.
Virginia State University (3-1) vs. Shaw (2-2)
October 1, 2022 - 1 p.m.
Ettrick, VA – Rogers Stadium
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Self-Scouting
The VSU offense currently averages 31.5 points per game after coming off a huge week scoring 37 points against Livingstone which ranks them second in the conference. They rank second in the conference in touchdowns scored with 18.
VSU Run Game
The rushing attack currently ranks second in rushing yards gained with 919 and rank second in average yards per rush with 5.0. Darius Hagans leads the offense after the senior running back earned his third straight 100-yard rushing game. Last time out, Hagans rushed for 121 yards on just 23 carries with a touchdown a week ago against Livingstone. The all-purpose back now leads the team with 511 rushing yards on 75 carries and three touchdowns. His 511 yards puts him firmly in the second spot in the conference as his three touchdowns puts him in third. His average yards per game (121.5) ranks him second in the conference. His 86-yard rushing touchdown against St. Augustine's is the longest rushing play in the conference to this point. The Human Joystick Kimo Clarke has earned 119 yards this season on just 18 carries this season which ranks him 16th in the conference. Last week against Livingstone, Clarke saw minimal carries on offense but had a big 54-yard kickoff return to start the game. While Hagans has been the vocal point of the run game, Bailey has been quietly having a very productive season as 225 yards has come on 35 carries. His 225 rushing yards ranks him fifth in the CIAA. He's scored a pair of touchdowns which ties him for fourth int he CIAA. Against LC, Bailey accounted 69 rushing yards on 13 carries and capped his day with a rushing touchdown. Matthew Foster anchored an offensive line that helped the Trojans gain 493 yards of total offense. Darius Hagans (121), Upton Bailey (79) and Jordan Davis (50) achieved 242 yards rushing on 51 rushes while the backfield scored four touchdowns on the ground. In 30 pass attempts the Trojans offensive line has only given up one sack.
VSU Passing Game
The VSU passing game currently ranks second in the conference with eight passing touchdowns. The Trojans rank third in completion percentage with 56.2% and also rank third in passing yards per contest with 204.5. Jordan Davis has taken over as the starting quarterback for the offense heading into this weekends matchup. Prior to earning his first career start against LC, Davis came in a reliever role the start of this season completing 75% of his passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. After efficient play in the first two games, he earned his first official start against Livingstone and went 18-30 passing for 251 yards with a touchdown through the air and a pair on the ground. Tylique Ray is seventh in the conference in receiving yards with 236 on just 11 receptions. His only touchdown of the season came on a 76-yard reception. Last time out, he had four grabs for 80 yards.
VSU Defense
The VSU defense gives up 14.8 points per contest which ranks them first in the conference. They are currently second in the conference with eight interceptions. The VSU rushing defense also ranks first in conference in average yards per carry allowing just 2.7. They also tie for second with 12 sacks on the season. The Trojans defense has allowed just 21 points in the past three games. Zion Johnson now leads the team in total tackles with 25 along with a pair of forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. His 22 total tackles ranks him 14th in the conference. while his 15 solo tackles ranks him 11th in the conference. He earned three solo tackles in which two were for a loss in the win against Livingstone. Kymon Pope currently ranks second on the team in total tackles with 22 along with a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception. His 22 total tackles ranks him 14th in the conference. Pope has accounted for 15 solo tackles which ranks him 10th in the conference. He earned five total tackles (four solo) with a tackle-for-loss and a sack last time out. Even though Willie Drew plays cornerback, he is not shy of contact as he ranks third on the team with 15 tackles and third in solo tackles with 10. Drew also has accounted for a pair of break ups, a forced fumble and two interceptions. Mateise Phipps currently ties for first in the conference with three sacks while Duane Platt ties for third with two sacks.
Opponent Scout – Shaw
The Shaw Bears are currently ranked first in the Southern Division of the CIAA after coming off of a 35-16 win against Elizabeth City State. The Bears average 20 points per game in the season as they are coming off their best offensive performance. The LC defense ranks sixth in the conference giving up 20.3 points per contest. They rank within the top-three in rushing touchdowns with six and rank top-four in yards with 575. The Bears have been making teams pay for throwing against them all season as they rank second in the conference with seven interceptions. They have only given up four passing touchdowns this season. They do well getting off the field on third down as they allow teams just a 33.9% third down conversion rate. The Bears defense is led by Defensive back Akeythio Carson who ranks third in the conference with 22 solo tackles. He also leads the team with five tackles-for-loss. Jay Boyd and Jaden Clark both have a pair of interceptions. The offense is led by running back Sidney Gibbs. Gibbs ranks fourth in the CIAA in rushing yards with 237 on 55 carries. He has a pair of rushing touchdowns on season and enters the matchup after rushintg for 70 yards on 13 carries in the win against ECSU.
For the most up-to-date information on VSU Football please visit www.govsutrojans.com, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports and on Instagram VSUtrojans_1882.
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