Virginia Union University utilized a strong running game as they defeated  Lincoln University at Hovey Field in Richmond, Virginia on Saturday.
 
The Panthers improve to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) games.  Lincoln falls to 0-6 overall and 0-3 in league play.
 
Lincoln finished the game with 190 total yards of offense, while the Panthers amassed 674 yards of offense, 494 on the ground rushing.
 
The bulk of the Lions offense came from the passing attack as Lincoln's three main quarterbacks combined for 137 yards in the air.  Vincent Espinoza (Madera, Calif /Madera (West Hills)) was the most effective of the three, completing 9-of-18 passes for 74 yards.
 
Espinoza along with Justin Johnson (Etters, Pa /Red Land) led the team in rushing yards with 23 apiece.  Lavelle Cloyd (Lexington, Ky./Bryan Station (Kentucky State)) added 21 yards.  Cloyd also led the team with five catches on the day.   
 
On the defensive side Devon Cathcart (Chicago, Ill./Thornton Fractional South) led all players with ten tackles.  He also added an interception and a fumble recovery. Kendall Brooks (Washington, DC /Bell ) also had an interception, with a 20-yard return in the second quarter.
 
Tabyus Taylor had the bulk of VUU's rushing yards, gaining 235 yards on the ground and scoring three touchdowns, including a 68-yard run in the third quarter.  A total of seven different Panthers scored at least one rushing touchdown with Taylor (3) and Rodney McKay (2) accounting for multiple scores.
 
The Panthers scored on their first possession of the game and added another in the second quarter on a Jaiden Reavis 45-yard punt return.  VUU added two more touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 28-0 lead at the half.
 
Two fumbles by the Lions led to two quick scores by the Panthers just 1:33 into the third quarter, making the score 42-0.   The Panthers went on to score two more touchdowns in the third quarter and added five touchdowns, all on the ground in the fourth to complete their scoring.  The first two Panther touchdowns, both by McKay, came in the first 1:26 of the quarter as VUU took advantage of another Lincoln fumble.

The Lions return home to host Elizabeth City State University on Saturday, October 13, 2018. The game is Lincoln's homecoming game and kickoff will be at 1:00 p.m.  For tickets go to www.lulions.com and click on the gameday tab.