Sept. 4, 2005
Stats
DAYTONA BEACH, FL- Bethune-Cookman College defeated the Elizabeth City State Vikings 27-7 Saturday afternoon at Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach, FL.
The series between the two teams is now 2-0 in favor of the Wildcats. In their last meeting back on November 3, 1990, Bethune-Cookman defeated ECSU 24-20.
In the first half, the Wildcats were able to hold the Vikings scoreless, pressuring quarterback Rayburn Morris into two interceptions. Morris finished the half going 1-9 for only 46 yards in the air. The Wildcats' first score came courtesy of a 2-yard touchdown run by P.J. Smith at the 4:54 mark of the first quarter. They extended the lead by three after a 29-yard field goal by Jesus Cortez with 3:57 remaining in the half. On the other side of the ball, the blitzing B-CC defense kept the opposing offense from converting on all eight of their first half third down attempts. Offensively the most significant difference between the two teams was the 10 points the home team scored before the intermission. At the break the Wildcats amassed 147 yards on 34 plays to a 31 play 110 yard half for ECSU.
On the Wildcats' second offensive drive of the second half, P.J. Smith struck again via a 4-yard touchdown run with 11:03 remaining in the third quarter. After the Wildcats added a field goal to make the score 20-0, the Vikings avoided the pending shutout when Rayburn Morris found Marvin Jackson for a 17-yard touchdown reception at the 7:12 mark of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter the Vikings threatened to score with the ball on the Wildcat 6-yard line. ECSU quarterback Morris was then hit by Rodney Hughes causing a fumble which was scooped up by James Monds who returned it 90 yards for the score. On the very next Viking possession, a tipped pass was intercepted and returned for another score by defensive end Dennis King.
Despite the fact that the Vikings amassed more total offense than the Wildcats (332 to 311), the six turnovers that ECSU committed were ultimately their undoing. Junior wide receiver Marvin Jackson had a solid outing with 8 catches for 126 yards and the only Viking score of the game. Rayburn Morris led ECSU in rushing for the second straight week with 70 yards on the ground. The Vikings will be on the road Saturday, September 10, 2005 as they travel to face the Broncos of Fayetteville State University. Game time is slated for 6:00pm. For more information on ECSU athletics, log onto www.ecsuvikings.com.
