Virginia Union University football Coach Alvin Parker feels like his team has taken an unfair beating — not on the field, mind you, but in the polls.

During preparations for his game against Virginia State University on Saturday, Nov. 3, Coach Parker learned late Monday that his Panthers had dropped from eighth in the NCAA Division 2 Super Region 2 poll to completely out of the Top Ten.

“We just disappeared,” Coach Parker said. “It was the last thing we expected, and it’s kind of got us in a funky mood.”

The previous week, VUU was in eighth place — one spot out of the seven-team regional playoff field. The Panthers then added a decisive 53-0 victory last Saturday over Elizabeth City State University, while three schools ahead of them in the poll — Morehouse College, Carson-Newman University and Florida Institute of Technology lost.

“We’ve been given no excuses,” Coach Parker said.  

Feeling momentum, the Panthers were excited about extending their season. VUU was banking on a win over VSU to vault it into NCAA postseason action on Saturday, Nov. 17. Now that’s doubtful. Many factors would have to break right for VUU to rise to seventh in the poll conducted by the American Football Coaches Association, with results on the website www.d2football.com.

“It’s hard being optimistic,” Coach Parker said. “But as crazy as it was that we dropped out, maybe something just as crazy will get us back in.”

VUU has been to the NCAA playoffs nine times previously, most recently in 2016 under Coach Mark James.

VUU Athletic Director Joe Taylor said, “I just hope it doesn’t get our minds off Saturday’s game” against Virginia State. “We can’t lose focus. There are still challenges ahead.”

Weekly review: VUU revved up for Rivalry Week, with a crushing 53-0 victory last Saturday at Elizabeth City State University. VSU lost to Chowan University 45-38 in Ettrick.

Bulldogs bite: Both VSU and VUU had their seasons derailed by Bowie State University and Bulldog No. 1 Amir Hall. All Bowie State has to do is defeat hapless Elizabeth City State University this Saturday, Nov. 3, to secure the Northern Division crown and a spot in the CIAA championship game on Saturday, Nov. 10, in Salem.      

Touchdown factory: Both VUU and VSU feature players highly skilled at reaching the end zone.

VSU quarterback Cordelral Cook, the “Cookie Monster,” is like a two-headed Trojans’ terror, equally adept at passing and running. The senior transfer from Alabama State University is fourth in the CIAA in passing (223 yards per game) and fifth in rushing (77.6 yards). He has thrown for 15 touchdowns and added nine more with his feet.

VUU 250-pound sophomore, Tabyus Taylor, leads the CIAA in rushing (1,238 yards) and rushing touchdowns (19). He rambled for 231 yards and four touchdowns in VUU’s rout of Elizabeth City State.

Taylor’s 154.7 yards per game would make him the most productive runner in Panthers annals. Andre Braxton, the current leader in that category, averaged 150.9 yards per game in 2000.

Wearing jersey No. 9, Taylor’s powerful runs have earned him the nickname “Engine, Engine No. 9.” He’s a brute between tackles, but can dial long distance, too, as evidenced by his 80-yard score against Elizabeth City.

Speed demons: The fastest man on the turf this Saturday may be VSU freshman Jemourri La Pierre from Chesterfield County’s L.C. Bird High School. After helping Bird to the State 5A track title last spring, La Pierre has caught four touchdown passes in the last two games.

VUU counters with a bevy of swift receivers, including Jewison Dawkins, who has averaged 21 yards per game. The Floridian caught a 43-yard touchdown against Elizabeth City.

On the sidelines: VSU Coach Reggie Barlow is 23-7 in three seasons in Ettrick after going 49-42 at Alabama State. VUU Coach Alvin Parker is in his first season as head coach after a lengthy career as an assistant.