ETTRICK, Va. – The Barton football team (0-1) suffered a 44-17 loss to Virginia State (1-0) in the 2026 season opener Thursday night at Rogers Stadium.

The Trojans' Rahsaan Matthews, Jr. (Wilmington, Del.) passed for 262 yards and a pair of touchdowns as Virginia State broke open a close game with a 21-point fourth quarter to put the Bulldogs away.

Virginia State held a 470-212 in total yards but Barton was able to stay in the game early by producing a pair of first-quarter turnovers.

Barton junior wide receiver Tyler Davis (Fayetteville, N.C.) caught a 20-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and freshman fullback Jayden Brown (Greensboro, N.C.) scored on a two-yard run in the second quarter to complete a 12-yard, 72-yard drive but the visitors were held out of the end zone after intermission.

Barton junior defensive back Zy-Hir Williams (Newark, N.J.) led the defense with nine tackles and a forced fumble in the losing effort.

Barton returns home to host Shaw next Saturday, September 5, at Electric Supply Company Field and Truist Stadium.  Virginia State, meanwhile, hosts Bowie State next Saturday starting at 1:00 p.m.