Some Virginia State University football items….

—Saturday, Taron Hampton broke Von Allen’s single-season mark of 1,020 yards (set in 1986). I know, I know, we already knew that. But did you know who now sits third and fourth on the list (now that Allen is second behind Hampton)? That would Robert “Bo” Morgan in both spots, as he rushed for 1,007 yards in 1994 and 1,002 in ‘96.

—Not to beat on this running back tandem too much (especially since Hampton is hurt and it was the focus of Sunday’s print story), but looking ahead to next season…..they both said the right things after Saturday’s game. Onadipe said he always tried to give Hampton some competition and he also said the running backs make each other better. Hampton talked about how proud he was of Onadipe stepping in and running like he did.

—Coach Andrew Faison didn’t exactly tip his hand as to the future of the position, as Hampton’s injury was, oh, 90 minutes old, but after the game he commented on both backs. On Hampton: “It’s something to look for for the future. We saw him in 10th and 11th grade, and he got bigger, faster, stronger in the offseason. I’m glad for him…..That high ankle sprain. You hope it’s a week, sometimes it’s 2-3 weeks.“ On Onadipe: (Onadipe) is a pretty good back. He gives us (the starters) fits as the scout-team back.“  And, of course, having two backs like that is a good problem to have. We’ll see how things shake out moving forward, but, at least today, the future looks bright in the backfield.

—The game itself was what it was—a poleaxing in every sense of the word. You didn’t have to be among the 5,726 wet fans to know that. Here are some of the ugly numbers from Saturday: VSU had 32 first downs to Lincoln’s 7, and two of those were by penalty….Net yards for VSU was 582, and Lincoln managed 77….VSU was 8-16 on third down, while Lincoln was 1-11….and VSU won a technical KO in the battle of the bands competition at halftime, although Lincoln was fun to watch, too…..And here’s this one: Lincoln didn’t have a possession which lasted more than five plays until late in the fourth quarter. In order, here are the number of offensive plays in each Lincoln possession: three (punt), three (INT), four (fumble), five (punt), three (punt), two (fumble), one (safety), three (punt), four (end of half), three (punt), three (punt), three (punt), seven (INT), two (end of game). I think you get the picture.

—And here come the awards. There was talk in the media center about whether the league would give the CIAA’s rookie of the week award to both backs (OK, I asked another writer what the chances were). It went to Onadipe. Also, OL Manuel Becker was named offensive lineman of the week, Jerome Choice was named receiver of the week (he also moved a sixth-place tie for career TD receptions with his 15th). And finally, Andre Lipscomb was named defensive back of the week. From Highland Springs HS, Lipscomb had seven tackles (five solo), recovered a fumble, forced another one and picked off a pass. 

—VSU travels to Bowie, Md. to face Bowie State this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in the season finale.

Posted by Shawn Fenner in • College Sports • Division II
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