ETTRICK, Va. --- Virginia State University overcame two interceptions and two blocked punts including one in the final minute as the undefeated Trojans held on for a 21-17 win over Tusculum University on a rain-soaked afternoon at Rogers Stadium in non-conference football action.
Following a two-hour weather delay to start the game the Trojans (2-0) took advantage of the lengthy pause as VSU's Kimo Clarke returned the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown.
Virginia State made it 14-0 in the final seconds of the first quarter as a bubble screen pass to TU receiver Tyler Burke was bobbled and caught in midair by VSU's TJ Tucker who returned the interception for a 26-yard touchdown.
The Tusculum defense kept the VSU offense off the scoreboard throughout the first half including an 18-play, 10-minute drive which was thwarted by a botched field goal try to maintain the 14-0 deficit at the intermission.
The TU offense went three-and-out to start the second half, but a 60-yard punt by graduate student Nicholas Pope pinned the Trojans at their own two-yardline.
VSU went only five yards and were penalized four times on the series as punter Kyle Miller's punt was shanked and went out of bounds at the VSU 25.
TU quarterback Preston Roberts would fire a laser pass to Burke in the end zone for a 33-yard touchdown. John-Aiden Pittman's kick trimmed the VSU lead to 14-7 at the 9:57 mark of the third quarter.
Later in the quarter with the Trojans punting, a bad snap to Miller was blocked by TJ Jingozian and scooped up by teammate Mikel "Bam" Hendrix and returned 20 yards for the score to tie the game at 14-14 with 4:10 left in the frame. It marked the first blocked punt return for a TD since Jeremy Thompson accomplished the feat against St. Paul's in 2007.
On the ensuing possession, VSU's Steve Williams completed a 35-yard pass to Upton Bailey to the TU 11. Bailey would finish off the drive with an eight-yard touchdown run as the Trojans regained the lead at 21-14 with 1:35 left in the quarter. But on the score, VSU was flagged for taunting and would be penalized on the kickoff.
Now kicking off from the VSU 20, Tusculum's Daryl Smith took advantage and returned the kick 21 yards to the TU 49. Early in the fourth quarter, the Pioneers marched to the VSU 4 thanks to a two-yard QB keeper by Roberts on fourth down. But on the next play, a high snap when over Roberts head and was recovered fumbled by TU offensive lineman Nehemiah Storey at the VSU 27. Roberts completed an 11-yard pass to Burke on third down to put the Pioneers in field goal range as Pittman converted the career-long 35-yarder to cut the score to 21-17 with 10:19 remaining.
The Tusculum defense stood on its head again and forced another three-and-out. But the punt was muffed by TU's Eddie Watson and was recovered by the Trojans at the TU 41.
But the defense came up big again three plays later as Jermaine Witherspoon recorded his seventh career interception at the TU 25 with 7:54 remaining and keep the deficit a one-score game.
The two teams would exchange punts as Tusculum got the ball back at its 20 with 4:06 to go. The Pioneers recorded a pair of first downs and got to the TU 46. But Roberts would be sacked by Tyrone Fisher. After two incomplete passes to bring up fourth-down and 16, TU would turn the ball over on downs when Roberts completion to Tyreik Thorpe came up nine yards shy of the line to gain.
Virginia State took over at the TU 47 with 1:21 remaining. The Pioneers utilized its timeouts and thanks to a critical holding penalty against the Trojans, TU would have a second chance. The snap back to Miller was low again and TU came away with its second blocked punt of the game as Daryl Smith came through with the block and the Pioneers took over at the VSU 41 with 43 seconds left.
After two incomplete passes, Roberts connected with Burke on a six-yard gain and completed a 15-yard pass to Corey Moraux on fourth down and got out of bounds to stop the clock. Roberts found Moraux again on a 10-yard completion which took him out of bounds at the VSU 10 with 10 seconds left.
The ensuing pass fell incomplete setting up the final play of the game with four seconds left. Roberts scrambled and was looking to find Burke in the end zone, but the pass was incomplete to end the contest.
Clarke finished the game with 178 all-purpose yards including a game-high 54 rushing yards 107 yards on his two kickoff returns. Williams went 7-of-20 for 118 yards and two interceptions.
Roberts went 13-for-32 for 124 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Burke was his top target as he made six catches for 66 yards. Jalen Hunt led the Pioneers on the ground with 41 yards on 14 rush attempts, while Roberts posted 21 yards on his 15 carries.
Earnest Johnson III led the Pioneers in tackles for a second straight game as he posted 10 stops including one for loss. Wesley Scott tallied eight hits including one for loss and Ryan Dolce was credited with seven tackles. Gavin Rowell had five tackles including three for loss, while Jahari Clemons made two tackles for loss including one resulting in a fumble.
Willie Drew led the Trojans with eight tackles and broke up four passes, while Cameron Davis finished with five tackles including three for loss and a sack.
Pope punted nine times for the Pioneers as he finished with a 40.8 average, while Miller had nine punts for his 33.0 average.
Tusculum will open its 25th South Atlantic Conference series next Saturday night as they travel to Wingate University for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
