Virginia Union University will face California University of Pennsylvania in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 at Hovey Field in Richmond.

The Panthers enter the postseason at 9-2 and hold the No. 3 seed in Super Region One, the program’s highest seeding under coach Alvin Parker. California (PA), seeded sixth, comes in with an 8-3 record. 

This marks Virginia Union’s fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA playoffs. The Panthers previously made five straight postseason trips from 1979 to 1983, underscoring the program’s continued resurgence under Parker. 

“Our body of work spoke for itself, so we felt good about our chances,” Parker said. “We felt good because of the way we played this season, especially near the end. A No. 3 seed is the highest seeding we’ve had since I’ve been here and now we’ve been to the playoffs four consecutive times. That’s definitely something to feel good about.” 

Virginia Union battled to the final whistle in Saturday’s CIAA championship game, but a strong offensive showing from Johnson C. Smith proved too much as the Panthers fell 45-21 at Durham County Memorial Stadium. 

Senior running back Curtis Allen delivered another standout performance, rushing for 183 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 7.3 yards per carry. VUU finished with 238 rushing yards and 388 total yards of offense, but four turnovers and several short-field opportunities for JCSU shifted the momentum early and often. 

JSCU jumped ahead 14-7 after two first-quarter touchdown passes from Kelvin Durham. The Golden Bulls stretched the lead with a 25-yard scoring strike in the second quarter, but the Panthers answered behind Allen’s physical running, tying the game 14-14 with an 11-play, 65-yard drive early in the second. 

VUU trailed 21-14 at halftime and threatened multiple times in the third quarter, but two interceptions stalled promising drives. JCSU capitalized with back-to-back touchdowns to open a 35-14 lead. 

Allen’s second touchdown capped a 12-play, 75-yard drive in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 38-21. Johnson C. Smith added a late score to close out the win. 

Ahmad Ross led the Panthers with eight tackles and a forced fumble. Lamumba Howard added seven tackles, and Jayden Earley posted a 42-yard interception return in the first quarter.