Tuskegee shuts out Virginia Union in Pioneer Bowl V

December 22, 2001

Game Stats

By Eric N. Moore and Oralia Washington

Tuskegee University scored once in every quarter enroute to a 28-0 shutout of Virginia Union in the Fifth Annual Pioneer Bowl held in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Georgia. The Golden Tigers racked up 311 total yards to claim their second consecutive Pioneer Bowl crown and 23rd win in their last 24 games.

VUU MVP James Atkins receives his trophy from Jeff McLeod representing the CIAA Office. Coca Cola's Richard Franklin(l) and VUU Head Coach Willard Bailey, flank Atkins and McLeod.

Virginia Union never got untracked. Quarterback Jasun Thompson who entered the game with 1,406 passing yards was held to just seven yards in 15 attempts. Freshman runningback Larry Edwards was limited to just 17 yards rushing on nine attempts. Edwards entered the game as the second leading rusher in the CIAA with 941 yards.

Tuskegee scored first, midway through the first quarter when Aaron James connected with Kylin Kimble on an 18-yard strike. Travis Gumbs PAT was good and the Golden Tigers were ahead, 7-0.

Tuskegee's MVP Bobby Wilson scored the next two touchdows on runs of three and seven yards to extend the lead to 21-0.

The Golden Tigers final score came on a 43-yard interception return by Frank Walker.

Virginia Union's offense was only able to cross midfield twice in the game. In the second quarter the Panthers drove to the Tuskegee 47-yard line before punting.

With some help from special teams, the Panthers Treymayne Hill ran a kickoff return for 40 yards but the Panthers could not score. Ralph Hunter picked off Cedrick Dupree late in the third quarter and took it for 66 yards a spark just what the Panthers needed to began a fourth quarter comeback. Tuskegee's defense stiffened and a personal foul penalty pushed Union back to the Tuskegee 46 yard line and they were forced to punt.

Tuskegee nearly doubled the time of possession of its opponent, keeping the Virginia Union defense on the field for nearly 40 minutes. The Panther defensive effort was led by game MVP James Atkins who had nine tackles, three for loss and one QB sack.

Tuskegee finishes the season 11-1, while Virginia Union falls to 8-3.