October 28th, 2024 12:00pm
Virginia Union University's Jada Byers had a record-setting day as VUU defeated Bowie State 56-28 on Saturday, October 26, in Bowie, Md.
First, Byers became the Panthers' all-time leading rusher by rushing for 324 yards, giving him a career total of 5,311 rushing yards. This broke the previous record of 5,008 set by Andre Braxton from 1997-2000.
Then, Byers scored six rushing touchdowns to set a new school-record of 66 career rushing touchdowns, eclipsing the old mark of 63 also held by Braxton.
Byers' six TDs also broke a 93-year-old school-record for the most rushing touchdowns in a single game. The old record was five, done three times: by Dick Armistead against Brick Junior College in 1931, by J.W. Cotton against Saint Paul's in 1927 and by R.S. Moton against Johnson C. Smith in 1926.
Finally, Byers' 324 rushing yards also broke his own school-record of 319, set against Valdosta State in 2022.
"It was a great team win today," said VUU Head Football Coach Dr. Alvin Parker. "There were a bunch of millstones set today. I am extremely proud of Jada for his individual performance, the records he broke today have stood the test of time. He will forever be remembered as one of the greatest in VUU history."