Staff report

WINGATE — CIAA champ Virginia Union was the No. 7 seed for the seven-team Southeast Regional playoffs, but had a huge win on Saturday at SAC champ Wingate.

Virgnia Union won 34-31 in overtime at Irwin Belk Stadium for its first playoff victory.

Second-seeded Wingate had the ball first in overtime and was held to a field goal. Then the Panthers scored a touchdown.

Virginia Union ended Wingate’s streak of 20 straight wins against HBCU programs. One of those 20 came in the 2022 playoffs against Virginia Union.

Wingate had a great defense all season, allowing 10 points per game, but allowed 404 yards on Saturday.

Wingate held Virginia Union’s star running back Jada Byers to 92 yards on 23 carries, but QB Mark Wright threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns.

Wingate had almost as many yards as Virginia Union with Brooks Bentley throwing for 266 yards and two TDs.

All the regional first-round games were thrillers. Miles edged Carson-Newman 14-13. Lenoir-Rhyne was the only SAC team to survive. Seeded sixth, the Bears won 37-34 at West Alabama.

Top-seeded Valdosta State joins the fun in the second round and takes on Miles. Lenoir-Rhyne will host Virginia Union.