Sept. 2, 2006
Final Stats
SALISBURY, NC- The Elizabeth City State University Viking football team was impressive in their season opener, shutting out Livingstone College 26-0 Saturday evening at Alumni Stadium.
The Vikings controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball from the start of the game. Offensively, ECSU almost tripled the Blue Bear's total offense 363 to 126. Additionally the offensive line allowed no sacks, allotting Curtis Rich, Jr. the time to throw for 247 yards and 2 touchdowns on 18 of 31 passing. Defensively the Vikings locked the opposition down allowing only one yard rushing while intercepting Blue Bear starter Jason Mitchell three times. In the first half alone Livingstone managed a dismal negative 28 yards rushing, ending the half with only 6 yards of total offense.
The Vikings first score would come on a 42-yard pass from Rich to Marvin Jackson in the first quarter. ECSU would score twice more before the intermission. Both scores came courtesy of Chris Carter, one of which was an electrifying 12-yard run with 5:16 remaining. Carter's encore came just four minutes later when he caught a 25-yard pass to give his team a 21-0 halftime lead. Pre-Season All-CIAA selection Kevin Dodson would add a 20-yard field goal at the 8:05 mark in the 3rd quarter and just one minute and six second later, Livingstone's Sean Vary's punt attempt was blocked through the back of the end zone by Shawn Dickerson for a safety and thus the final score of 26-0.
For ECSU, Greg Moore paced the defense with 6 tackles (4 solo, 2 assisted), including 3 for a loss of 24 yards, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and 2 sacks for a loss of 22 yards. Maceo Thomas and Nate Fairley added sacks of their own, 2 and 1, respectively. Lionel Vincent led the defensive unit for the Blue Bears (0-2, CIAA 0-0), finishing with a game high 9 tackles.
The Vikings (1-0, CIAA 0-0) will return to action on Saturday, September 9th as they will host the University of Charleston (WV). Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00pm at Roebuck Stadium in Elizabeth City. For more information on ECSU Athletics, visit www.ecsuvikings.com.
