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Virginia Union is the last team standing.
With the CIAA basketball season getting into
full swing, the Panthers have extended the football season one more weekend.
Union takes on Tuskegee in Pioneer Bowl X: SIAC vs. CIAA Saturday at Charlie W.
Johnson Stadium on the campus of Bennett
College. The game will air on ESPNU at 2 p.m.
Union was ranked No. 8 when it took on then No.
12 Shaw in the conference championship game. The Bears, who shut down Offensive
Player of the Year quarterback Lamar Little, defeated the Panthers
31-24 and went to the postseason instead.
Union coach Arrington Jones is happy to still
be playing but he'd prefer a different environment.
"I'm not a happy camper," Jones said
referring to the Pioneer Bowl vs. playing in the D2 playoffs. "But we're
pretty excited, and I don't want to take away from that. We really are glad to
have the opportunity to represent the conference and our institution,
particularly when we thought our season was over."
The Panthers have another tough opponent.
Tuskegee is the No. 1 ranked HBCU football team in the country. The Golden
Tigers are also the only undefeated HBCU team left after defeating Alabama State
64-58 in triple overtime last weekend. QB Jacary Atkinson, the SIAC Player of
the Year, threw four touchdowns and ran for two more.
Despite Tuskegee's record, Jones said he's
optimistic after seeing ASU run up 58 points.
"They're really fast and active around
football but honestly, Alabama State exploited that you can score on them,"
he said. "It may end up being a shootout. Our defenses match up well with
their offensive scheme. I think it's a challenge our guys are ready to take
on."
Notes: Little was one of 24 candidates in the
running for the 2007 Harlon Hill trophy, D2 football's player of the year award.
Little led the CIAA in passing average (171.4
ypg), pass efficiency (140.9 rating) and total offense (220.4 ypg). The winner
will be announced at the 22nd annual Harlon Hill Trophy Presentation Banquet
Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Florence Conference Center. The banquet will also
include the ninth induction into the D2 Football Hall of Fame.
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