The energy in Ettrick just hits different when the Trojans are in town. If you’ve ever stood in Rogers Stadium when the Trojan Explosion marching band starts up, you know exactly what I’m talking about. But the 2025 season was a wild ride that kept fans on their toes from that first Thursday night kick-off in North Carolina all the way to the final heartbreak in Richmond. People keep asking about the virginia state university football schedule 2025 because it wasn't just a list of dates—it was a series of high-stakes battles that defined where this program is heading.
Honestly, the schedule was a bit of a gauntlet. Starting the year with four straight road games? That’s brutal for any team, let alone one trying to find its rhythm under the bright lights of regional rivalries.
The Brutal Opening Stretch: Four Weeks on the Road
Most teams like to ease into the season with a home opener. Not VSU. They started the 2025 campaign at Barton College on August 28. It was a statement win, a 35-7 blowout where Rahsaan Matthews Jr. looked like a man on a mission. He threw for 343 yards, including a 58-yard bomb to Kevin Gayles that basically silenced the crowd three plays in.
But the real drama happened the following week.
On September 6, the Trojans headed to Norfolk to face Norfolk State. This wasn't just any game. It was the "Battle of the States," and the headlines were everywhere because Michael Vick had recently taken over the reigns at Norfolk State. It lived up to the hype. VSU pushed them to the absolute limit, eventually falling 34-31 in a heart-stopping overtime loss. It was the kind of game that makes you want to throw your remote at the TV, but it also showed that VSU could hang with anyone.
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After a much-needed bye week, the road trip continued through North Carolina. They squeaked out a one-point nail-biter against Winston-Salem State (34-33) on September 20 before hitting a wall against Fayetteville State on September 27, losing 34-14. By the time they finally returned to Ettrick, they were 2-2 and battle-worn.
Finally Back at Rogers Stadium
October 4 was the date every Trojan fan had circled. It was finally time for the home opener at Rogers Stadium against Johnson C. Smith University. The school went all out—Military and First Responders Appreciation Day combined with Family and Friends Weekend. The atmosphere was electric, but the result was a tough 31-20 loss.
It’s weird how football works. Sometimes you play your best in the quietest stadiums and struggle when the home crowd is loudest.
Fortunately, the team found their footing when it mattered most. After a gritty 28-21 win at Bowie State, the Trojans went on a tear at home. They took down Elizabeth City State 24-20 on October 18, which set the stage for the biggest party of the year.
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Homecoming 2025 and the Bluefield Blowout
If you weren't at Rogers Stadium on October 25, you missed out. Homecoming is the soul of Virginia State. The parade in Petersburg that morning was massive, but the football game against Bluefield State was the main event. VSU put on an offensive clinic, winning 51-34.
Five different players scored. It felt like every time Bluefield started to gather momentum, the Trojans had an answer. This win secured a winning record for the season and gave the alumni exactly what they came for: a reason to celebrate until the sun went down.
The Final Push and the VUU Rivalry
The regular season ended with two massive games.
- Senior Day (November 1): VSU handled Lincoln (PA) with a comfortable 35-14 win. It was a sentimental afternoon, honoring the players who had given four years to the orange and blue.
- The Finale (November 8): The Wilder Equality Classic against Virginia Union.
This is the game that matters most to people in the 804. Traveling to Hovey Field in Richmond is always a hostile experience. The 2025 edition was a defensive slugfest. VSU actually outgained Union in total yardage, but they just couldn't punch it into the end zone when it counted. A 14-3 loss to the Panthers was a bitter pill to swallow, especially since it knocked the Trojans out of contention for the CIAA Championship game.
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Breaking Down the Numbers
The virginia state university football schedule 2025 ended with a 6-4 overall record and a 4-3 mark in the CIAA. Looking back at the stats, Rahsaan Matthews Jr. was the engine of this team. He finished with over 2,300 passing yards and 20 touchdowns.
The defense was surprisingly stingy, too. Mehkhi Johnson was a literal tackling machine, leading the team with 13 tackles in the finale alone. When you look at the season as a whole, the Trojans were only a few plays away from an 8-2 or 9-1 record. Those narrow losses to Norfolk State and Winston-Salem State (even though they won that one) showed a team that lived on the edge.
Planning for Next Time: Tips for Fans
If you're looking to catch the Trojans in person in the future, there are a few things you've got to keep in mind. Rogers Stadium is a classic venue, but it fills up fast, especially for the high-profile matchups.
- Tickets: Get them early. Early bird season ticket packages in 2025 were around $100, which is a steal considering it includes parking. By August, those prices usually jump.
- The VUU Game: This is almost always an away game every other year. If it's in Richmond, get there three hours early. Parking near Hovey Field is a nightmare.
- Homecoming: Don't even try to wing it. Hotel rooms in Petersburg and Colonial Heights start booking up months in advance.
The 2025 season might be in the books, but the momentum is clearly there. The Trojans proved they can compete with Division I talent and dominate their CIAA rivals when they're clicking.
If you want to keep up with the latest roster changes or spring ball dates, your best bet is to stay locked into the official VSU Athletics site or the CIAA's main portal. The transfer portal moves fast these days, and the team that takes the field in 2026 will likely look very different from the squad we saw this past November.
To get the most out of the next season, start by checking the official VSU Athletics "Recruits" page to see which high school standouts have committed to the program. Following the "Trojan Explosion" on social media is also a pro move—they usually post the game day themes and halftime schedules before anyone else.