Virginia State Trojans Dominate Benedict Tigers in Season Opener

The Virginia State Trojans made a statement in their season opener against the Benedict Tigers, coming out on top with a convincing 23-7 victory. The Trojans, who were predicted to finish atop the CIAA in the preseason rankings, showcased their dominance on both sides of the ball.

The game got off to an unconventional start as Benedict scored the first touchdown in a rare manner. A blocked field goal attempt by the Tigers was picked up by a Virginia State player beyond the line of scrimmage, allowing Benedict to recover the ball and return it for a touchdown. However, that would be the only touchdown for the Tigers in the game.

The star of the game was Virginia State running back Jimmyll Williams, who put on a show with 150 rushing yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns, including an impressive 82-yard run before halftime. Williams was named the game’s offensive MVP and is poised to be a contender for the CIAA Offensive Player of the Year award.

Defensively, the Trojans were dominant, holding the Tigers to just 3.88 yards per play and forcing three turnovers. Cameron Davis led the way with five tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks.

On the other hand, Benedict struggled offensively, failing to score an offensive touchdown for the first time since 2021. The passing game was particularly ineffective, managing only 68 yards through the air and completing just 41% of their attempts.

Both teams also struggled with penalties, combining for 15 penalties totaling 158 yards, with the Trojans committing nine of those infractions. Moving forward, both teams will need to clean up their play to continue their success in the season.