VUU in D-II field aims to end hex; RMC in D-III field looks for next step, or two

Virginia Union sets its sights on an NCAA Division II national championship after qualifying for the 28-team postseason tournament, whose field was announced Sunday night.

But first, the Panthers aim to get past the first round, which would be an unprecedented achievement. VUU is 0-11 in previous D-II playoff games dating back to 1979, the year of the Panthers’ first qualification.

Virginia Union (8-3) travels to Wingate (9-1), located near Charlotte, Saturday in a first-round game that starts at 1 p.m.

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Virginia Union running back Jada Byers ranks second in Division II with an average of 151.8 rushing yards, and he ran for 178 yards on 32 carries in Saturday’s CIAA title-game win over Virginia State. MARGO WAGNER, TIMES-DISPATCH

Randolph-Macon wants to take another step, or two. The Yellow Jackets, champions of the ODAC, head into the Division III tournament having reached the semifinals last season. The Yellow Jackets (9-1) host Washington & Jefferson (9-1) at noon on Saturday, Nov. 30, in the second round of the expanded D-III playoffs format. Both teams earned first-round byes.

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Randolph-Macon, with Holden Hodge running following a reception this season, head into the 40-team D-III postseason having won 25 consecutive ODAC games, a streak started in 2021. MARGO WAGNER, TIMES-DISPATCH

On the road again

The VUU Panthers’ 0-11 record in the D-II postseason must be qualified by this: they have played an NCAA tournament home game only three times, and they have been sent on the road to face some of the most prestigious D-II programs that moved up to Division I. Among them are Delaware (1979), North Alabama (1980), North Dakota State (1982) and Troy State (1986)…

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