Virginia State University has chosen a most challenging opponent to shake off the thick rust and dust and open the football season.

After missing the entire 2020 season because of the pandemic, Coach Reggie Barlow’s Trojans will finally return to the gridiron on Saturday, Sept. 4, against NCAA Division II powerhouse Lenoir-Rhyne University of Hickory, N.C.

Kickoff at Rogers Stadium in Ettrick is set for 6 p.m. It is Military Appreciation Day.

The Lenoir-Rhyne Bears were 13-1 in 2019, including a 28-11 win at Virginia Union University. After opting out of the 2020 fall season, the Bears were 3-1 this past March under new Coach Mike Jacobs.

VSU hasn’t popped pads since defeating Virginia Union 27-24 on Nov. 9, 2019. The Trojans finished the 2019 season at 8-2 (6-1 in the CIAA), second behind Bowie State University in the CIAA Northern Division. The Trojans two losses were to Bowie State and in the season opener at Norfolk State University.

The opposing coaches for Saturday are both proven winners and former standout players in their own right.

Since taking the coaching whistle at VSU in 2016, Coach Barlow has posted a 31-10 overall mark and 22-6 in the CIAA, including a trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2017.

Before that, Coach Barlow was 49-42 overall at his alma mater, Alabama State University, including 38-28 in the SWAC.

He went on to play in the NFL with Jacksonville, Oakland and Tampa Bay as a wide receiver and kick returner.

Coach Jacobs was a standout offensive lineman and long snapper at Ohio State University, playing in 30 games for the Buckeyes, including two Sugar Bowls.

Coach Jacobs is no newcomer to the coaching sidelines. Prior to becoming L-RU coach in December 2019, his teams were 42-8 at Notre Dame College in Ohio.

In a preseason vote of league coaches, L-RU is picked to finish first in the South Atlantic Conference, or SAC.

In a similar poll, VSU was chosen to finish second behind perennial juggernaut Bowie State in the CIAA Northern Division.

The Trojans’ opening-night chances are made more difficult by the absence of dual-threat quarterback Cordelral Cook.

Cook, who came to VSU with Coach Barlow from Alabama State, led the Trojans in passing, rushing and total offense for three seasons.

A likely successor at quarterback is sophomore Jordan Davis, a sophomore from C.D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge. Davis served as Cook’s top backup two seasons ago and threw for two touchdowns.

VSU has a proven returning ball carrier in Darius Hagans, a sophomore who scored 10 touchdowns in 2019 — eight rushing and two receiving. The 210-pound Hagans runs with power and speed. He also was a standout track sprinter at Grassfield High School in Chesapeake.

Javon Frazier, a muscular and mobile defensive lineman from Stafford, was named to the CIAA All-Preseason team. Frazier made nine sacks in 2019.

Scheduling bold-letter opponents has consequences. The outcome of the L-RU at VSU clash could be pivotal regarding down-the-line NCAA rankings and, eventually, playoff berths.

After L-RU, the Trojans will head to Columbus, Ohio, to play another Division II power, Ohio Dominican University on Saturday, Sept. 11. Ohio Dominican was 4-2 this past spring, 7-3 in 2019 and 9-2 in 2018.

VSU plays at CIAA Southern Division contender Fayetteville State University on Sept. 25 before returning to Rogers Stadium on Oct. 2 against CIAA opponent St. Augustine’s University. The Trojans’ homecoming is 2 p.m. Oct. 23, against CIAA opponent Lincoln University.

The CIAA championship game is set for Saturday, Nov. 13, at Salem Stadium outside of Roanoke. That is the same facility where VSU defeated Fayetteville State 42-19 for the 2017 CIAA title and the right to advance to the NCAA playoffs.