Sept. 22, 2007
Final Stats
ROCKY MOUNT, NC- Shaw University place kicker Ryne Powell connected on a 37-yard field goal in overtime to lift the Bears past the Vikings 20-17 at the 10th Annual Down East Viking Football Classic.
As the second ticked away at the close of regulation, ECSU sophomore kicker Daniel Mendez booted a career long 39-yarder as time expired to force the extra session. After Powell's kick put the Bears ahead, Mendez's attempt to force a consecutive extra session (36 yards) pulled wide left giving the visitors the victory.
Shaw evens their record to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the CIAA while ECSU falls to 0-4 and 0-1 in the conference.
Both defenses were staunch Saturday, although the Bears managed a few more big plays including a key 3rd down and 16 conversion via a 41-yard pass from Matthew Stevenson to Lenell King in the 3rd quarter. That drive ended in a 12-yard TD pass from Stevenson to DeAndre Okonji to knot the game a 14 at the 6:24 mark. In the 4th quarter the Bears got a go ahead field goal from Powell (33 yards) to extend the lead to 17-14 with 4:10 remaining in the game. Shaw held the edge in total offense (333-162) mostly due to a more effective passing game totaling 153 yards to just 47 for the Vikings. With both defenses playing well, each teams saw moderate success on the ground as Shaw rushed 48 times for 180 yards to 41 carries and 115 yards for ECSU.
Joel McClenney carried the ball twice on Saturday, both good for scores, a 1-yarder to give ECSU a 7-0 lead in the first quarter and a 4-yard run at the 11:16 mark out the 3rd.
Defensively the Bears were paced by Monte Coleman with a game high 10 tackles and a forced fumble. The Viking defenders shared the load evenly on Saturday with three (Shawn Dickerson, Chris Osborne and Jeremy Carthen) finishing with 7 tackles each. Overall the Blue Swarm finished with 17 tackles for a loss of 57 yards, three forced fumbles, 2 recoveries for 25 yards, an interception returned 47 yards, 6 pass breakups, 2 sacks and 7 quarterback hurries.
The Vikings will hit the road again next Saturday as they travel to Petersburg, VA to take on Virginia State University. Game time is slated for 1:30pm. For more information on ECSU Athletics, visit www.ecsuvikings.com.
