The Virginia State University football team scored over 30 points for the fourth straight game, shutting out Lincoln University 55-0 on Nov. 2.

The Lions received the opening kickoff and managed one first down before the Trojans defense forced a punt. On VSU’s first drive, it took only six plays for Jimmyll Williams to cap off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, making it 7-0. 

On Lincoln’s next possession, a third-and-16 resulted in quarterback Isiah Freeman being sacked and fumbling, which KJ McNeil recovered for a touchdown—VSU’s first defensive touchdown of the year. The Trojans defense forced a three-and-out on the following drive, with the punt setting up the offense at the Lions’ 41-yard line.

On the ensuing drive, it took five plays for Romelo Williams to find Malik Hunter in the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown. Another three-and-out by the Lions gave VSU the ball back with 42 seconds left in the first quarter. Williams connected with Hunter for a 17-yard catch-and-run before rushing 23 yards for a touchdown, leaving just one second on the clock. After Joshua Campbell’s fourth successful PAT, the score stood at 28-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Lincoln struggled on offense, giving VSU the ball back on their own 2-yard line after a blocked punt by Jeffery Wilson, who also recovered the ball. Following a false start and a negative rushing play, R. Williams found Kevin Gayles wide open in the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 35-0. On the Trojans’ next offensive possession, J. Williams scored his second 1-yard touchdown run, although Campbell missed his first extra point of the season, making it 41-0. That would be the halftime score, as VSU outgained Lincoln 323-11 in the first half.

To start the third quarter, Rahsaan Matthews Jr. scored his first collegiate touchdown with a 23-yard catch-and-run from Marquis Smith. Lincoln finally crossed midfield on their last drive of the third quarter but turned the ball over on downs.

On the first drive of the fourth quarter, VSU’s offense began to use up the clock, taking nearly six minutes off before Matthews Jr. found Khali Coward for his first career receiving touchdown.

From that point, the Trojans focused on running the ball while the defense continued to limit Lin- coln’s opportunities.

On 46 plays, Lincoln averaged just 1.1 yards per play and totaled 52 yards, compared to VSU’s average of 7.2 yards. With this victory, the Trojans improved to 6-3 overall and 5-1 in the conference, setting up next week’s crucial matchup against Virginia Union University. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, and can be streamed on HBCU Go.