Virginia Union University football has gone from famine to feast—and the Panthers are hungry for more.

After two deflating September losses, VUU has conquered opponents during the last two weeks, defeating Virginia University of Lynchburg 49-7 on Sept. 18 and host Johnson C. Smith University 43-7 last Saturday.

“All the goals we started the season with are still there,” said VUU CoachAlvin Parker. “That means winning the (Northern) divisional title and, hopefully, the (CIAA) championship.”

That might require running the table the next six weeks, starting with the opponent this Saturday, Oct. 2, CIAA rival Shaw University of Raleigh, N.C. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Hovey Stadium on Lombardy Street. The VUU Hall of Fame Class of 2021 will be honored at halftime.

Like VUU, Shaw University, which is in its fifth season under Coach Adrian Jones, has switched from cold to hot. The Bears opened with losses to Wingate University and Davidson College. But since then, the Bears have defeated Central State University of Ohio 52-0 and CIAA rival Lincoln University of Pennsylvania 41-6.

“Shaw is big and fast, definitely a challenge,” said Coach Parker.

VUU quarterback Khalid Morris showed his best marksmanship last Saturday against Johnson C. Smith. The senior out of Thomas Dale High School in Chesterfield County hit 20 of 31 passes for 390 yards and five touchdowns.

The five touchdown tosses fell just short of the school record of six set by Lamar Little in 2007 and Carl Wright in 1991.

“Khalid is an unselfish guy. He doesn’t care if we run 40 times or pass 40 times,” Coach Parker said.

His favorite target, as usual, was Charles Hall, the “Jersey Jet,” who made six catches for 193 yards and two touchdowns, including a 77-yard masterpiece.

The VUU record for most receiving yards in a game is 239, set by Rodney Hounshell in 1990.

“We’ve got a lot of playmak- ers, and Charles is a catalyst,” Coach Parker said.

Jada Byers, who leads the CIAA in rushing, settled for 14 yards overland against Johnson C. Smith and made three recep- tions for 51 yards, including a 28-yarder.

Another standout has been punter Marvin Holmes, a fresh- man from Varina High School in Henrico County. In 16 attempts through four games, Holmes has averaged 42 yards per punt, with three fair catches and nine kicks inside the 20-yard line.

VUU hopes to be 3-2 overall and 2-0 in the CIAA for homecoming, Saturday, Oct. 9, against Lincoln University.

Homecoming is long overdue on Lombardy Street. The Panthers’ alumni missed last year’s traditional homecoming when the entire CIAA opted out of the season because of COVID-19.