Virginia Union preview capsule

The skinny Coach^[1]: Michael Bailey^[2] (third season, 9-11)

2010: 3-7, 3-4 CIAA

Offense: Junior RB Jerell Washington^[3] (5-8, 180) will be the key to the Panthers' attack. Last year he rushed for 817 yards, which was fifth best in the CIAA, and nine touchdowns. Senior QB Cheston Hickman played in five games last year, completing 44 percent of his passes with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. Even though VUU loses OT David Mims^[4], it has three linemen who weigh 315 pounds or more.

Defense: New defensive coordinator^[5] Kevin Grisby^[6] is installing a new defense at Union, which struggled to stop offenses a year ago. VUU allowed 203.2 passing yards per game, second-worst in the league. Brian Smith^[7], a top returning secondary performer, had 44 tackles in 2010.

Specialists: Union made only one field goal in four attempts last year and ranked in the bottom half of the league in punting and PATs. Junior kicker^[8] Stephen Velasquez^[9] returns, but the Panthers will look for a new punter.

Quotable: "I want to run the ball well every week. Any time you can run the ball well and play defense, you're going to be in a position to win." Bailey

Outlook: Hickman will have to improve his numbers from last year to balance the offense. The only time Washington can carry the ball on every down are games during hurricanes, and Union probably won't get another one this year. (Washington ran for 150 yards against St. Augustine's.)

Bottom line: 5-5, 4-3 CIAA

Eric Kolenich

Date	Opponent	Time
Aug. 27	St. Augustine's	W, 12-0
Sept. 3	at Benedict	3:30
Sept. 10	Winston-Salem State	7
Sept. 17	at Lincoln	6
Sept. 24	Bowie State	1
Oct. 1	Chowan	1
Oct. 8	Elizabeth City State	1
Oct. 15	at Johnson C. Smith	1
Oct. 29	at Virginia State	1:30
Nov. 5	Fayetteville State	1

References

1. ^{^} Topic - Coach (www2.timesdispatch.com)
2. ^{^} Topic - Michael Bailey (www2.timesdispatch.com)
3. ^{^} Topic - Jerell Washington (www2.timesdispatch.com)
4. ^{^} Topic - David Mims (www2.timesdispatch.com)
5. ^{^} Topic - Defensive Coordinator (www2.timesdispatch.com)
6. ^{^} Topic - Kevin Grisby (www2.timesdispatch.com)
7. ^{^} Topic - Brian Smith (www2.timesdispatch.com)
8. ^{^} Topic - Junior Kicker (www2.timesdispatch.com)
9. ^{^} Topic - Stephen Velasquez (www2.timesdispatch.com)