At midseason, it comes as no surprise that a Virginia Union University Panther is leading the CIAA in rushing.

The surprise is that it is Curtis Allen and not Jada Byers.

Heading into this week’s 1 p.m. CIAA game at Elizabeth City, N.C., Allen has 437 yards on the ground while averaging 6.3 yards per carry.

In VUU’s 47-7 win at St. Augustine’s in Raleigh, Allen carried 19 times for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound sophomore out of Prince George High can be a battering ram and a long distance highlight reel.

He had scores of 60 and two yards at St. Aug’s as the Panthers improved to 4-1. In the lone loss, Allen gained 155 yards on 30 tries against Fayetteville.

As Byers’ backup a year ago, Allen ran for nine touchdowns, mostly in goal line situations.

There is good news aplenty in the Panthers camp.

Byers, who led all of NCAA Division II in rushing last year, has returned to action after missing two and a half games with an injury.

Byers had 19 yards on 10 tries against the Falcons and hopes to return to full strength for the stretch run.

At St. Augustine’s, Christian Reid alternated with R.J. Rosales at quarterback. Reid threw for 63 yards and one TD while Rosa- les, a transfer from Army (West Point), tossed for 74 yards and two TDs.

Isaac Anderson, again, was a difference maker on the defensive line. The 6-foot-3, 280-pound junior from Florida turned a fumble recovery into the Panthers’ first TD in Raleigh. The previous week he was CIAADefensive Lineman of the Week.

VUU held St. Aug’s to minus-24 yards rushing in a dominating defensive effort.

Elizabeth City is 1-4 coming off a tough 21-20 loss to Johnson C. Smith.

The Vikings, coached by former VUU assistant Marcus Hilliard, lost to the Panthers 49-0 last autumn in Richmond.

VUU feels like it’s home on the road. The Panthers have won nine straight games outside of Richmond the past two seasons.

The Panthers return to Hovey Field on Oct. 14 against Bowie State and will celebrate homecoming Oct. 21 against Lincoln.