Virginia Union University defeated Johnson C. Smith University 28-10 in the Willard Bailey Classic on Saturday at Hovey Field.

Senior running back Curtis Allen led the Panthers with 108 yards rushing and four touchdowns to earn Offensive Player of the Game honors. On defense, redshirt junior Zachary Weaver recorded a team-high seven tackles and was named Defensive Player of the Game. 

“I’m extremely proud of the way our team competed tonight,” said VUU head football coach Alvin Parker. “This was a statement win for our program against a very good JCSU team. The home crowd brought tremendous energy, and our players really fed off that atmosphere.” 

Despite a 90-minute weather delay, a crowd of 7,504 fans packed Hovey Field to witness the annual classic honoring legendary coach Willard Bailey. 

The No. 25 Panthers struck early, with Allen scoring on a four-yard touchdown run just 17 seconds into the game. Brady Myers added the extra point for a 7-0 lead. 

No. 21 Johnson C. Smith responded midway through the second quarter, tying the game 7-7 with a two-yard touchdown run by Kelvin Durham to cap a 55-yard drive. 

Virginia Union answered quickly with Allen’s second touchdown, a six-yard run, to regain the lead 14-7. 

Just before halftime, Johnson C. Smith trimmed the deficit with a 28-yard field goal by Lukasz Smolen, making it 14-10 at the break. 

Allen scored his third touchdown of the game on a 12-yard run in the third quarter to push the lead to 21-10, then put away the game with his fourth touchdown in the fourth quarter. 

The win improved Virginia Union’s record to 2-1 on the season, while Johnson C. Smith dropped to 3-1. 

The Panthers will travel to Raleigh, North Carolina, to face Shaw University at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27.