Sept. 2, 2007
Final Stats
ELIZABETH CITY, NC The Elizabeth City State University Vikings dropped the home opener to Catawba College 34-7 on Saturday afternoon at Roebuck Stadium.
The Indians (2-0) rolled up 491 yards of total offense which included three touchdowns via the ground attack from three different ball carriers and two passing scores courtesy of the arm of Catawba quarterback Brad Roach. Roach finished the evening with 211 yards on 16-for-27 passing while Kory Fisher carried the ball 18 times for 142 yards and a score. Both Roach and George Bell also rushed for scores of 1 and 3 yards, respectively.
On the other side the Vikings (0-1) sputtered offensively, amounting 184 yards on 47 plays from scrimmage. The ECSU secondary did show promise in the first half of play as Roach was picked off three times. The second pick, courtesy of Jeremy Carthen, resulted in the Vikings' only score on the afternoon, a one yard touchdown by Branson Fields, gave ECSU a 7-6 lead with 12:45 to go in the second quarter. The Indians regained the lead on a 3-yard run by Bell with 2:29 before the intermission and would extend the lead to 20-7 at the break after capitalizing on an errant pass that was intercepted by Cortez Best. Roach connected with Antwan Strong on a 32-yarrd strike as the as the first half expired.
The Indians added the rushing touchdowns of Roach and Fisher for the final point spread.
Pre-season All-CIAA strong safety Shawn Dickerson paced the ECSU defense with a career high (and game high) 15 tackles and interception and a pass defended. Carthen and Rod Jones both chipped in with 11 tackles.
The Vikings will hit the road next Saturday, September 8th to take on the University of Charleston. Game time is scheduled for 1:00pm. For more information on ECSU Athletics, visit www.ecsuvikings.com .
