Virginia Union University enjoys a most resilient offense. Whenever the Panthers prematurely lose one All-CIAA receiver, another pops up.

This season Said Sidibe has become a “go to” man, says VUU Coach Alvin Parker.

“It’s all about opportunity. Sidibe is making the most of his opportunities. He makes big plays.”

Heading into homecoming this Saturday against invading Lincoln, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior mass communications major leads the Panthers with 21 receptions for 292 yards and four touchdowns.

His most spectacular catch might have been the diving, 33-yard grab in the rain from Christian Reid to start the scoring in a 52-3 rout against visiting Bowie State.

“When the ball comes to me, I do my best for the team,” said Sidibe, a transfer student athlete from Central State of Ohio. “And I’ll play whatever role I’m asked.”

Sidibe’s role was enhanced this season when it was learned that John Jiles, All-CIAA a year ago, transferred to West Florida, where he continues to excel.

The year before, All-CIAA Charles Hall (who led the nation in yards per catch), left VUU a season early to transfer to Arizona State. Jiles stepped in for Hall, and now Sidibe has inherited “go to” status from Jiles.

Sidibe is a classic late bloomer, but it wasn’t due to any lack of physical skills.

Organized rec league football can be useful and serves a purpose. Parents love cheering their kids on.

But it’s not always necessary.

Sidibe is evidence of that.

“(I) was never in a real league, but I played lot of what we called ‘backyard ball,’ sometimes against older guys,” he said.

The late start — he never wore pads until his sophomore season at Warwick High in Newport News — has been overcome.

“I remember talking to Said in the hallways, trying to get him to come out,” said Warwick’s Coach Corey Hairston. “Eventually he did, and by his senior year he was a very good player for us.”

As for not playing rec ball, Coach Hairston said Sidibe grew up in a “rough part of town” and may have lacked support. “These youth leagues are nice, but you have to pay,” he said.

Lightly recruited, if at all, he first went to Virginia University of Lynchburg before moving on to Central State of Ohio.

“When I decided to transfer, I wanted to come back to Virginia and I was impressed reading the history of the Union program,” he said.

Now he’s a serious All-CIAA candidate on Lombardy Street and becoming part of that rich “history” he discovered while researching VUU.