Aug. 30, 2008

Final Stats

ELIZABETH CITY, NC- The Elizabeth City State University Vikings opened up the 2008 season with a convincing 55-3 win over the Chowan University Hawks in both teams' CIAA opener Saturday night at Roebuck Stadium.

It was a case of doing more with less as the Vikings totaled their 55 points despite only having only nineteen (19) minutes of possession on offense. On 19 plays of scrimmage (spanning five different drives which all resulted in touchdowns) ECSU relied on the big play, most notably the Curtis Rich, Jr. to Dexter Manley connection. Manley scored twice on Saturday once a one-play 62-yard TD strike with nine seconds left in the half; the other the second play of a two-play 64 yard scoring drive capped by a 56 yard scoring reception. Rich finished the day passing for a career high 276 yards and three touchdowns (Karvin Gwaltney) while Manley caught 5 passes for 203 yards.

Rich's counterpart Chowan quarterback CJ Westler ,finished with a game high 81 yards rushing but was picked off 4 times, hurried 11 times and was sacked twice.

The defense did more than their fair share of scoring Saturday returning an interception (Jeff Lynn, Jr.), a blocked punt (Jeremiah Marable) and a fumble recovery (Rod Jones) for touchdowns. Defensively, sans the early field goal surrendered early in the first quarter, the Hawks were held scoreless. Their closest scoring opportunity came in the third quarter on the ECSU 2-yard line yet they were denied with 4th and Goal ending on the ECSU 6 yard line.

The Vikings other two touchdowns came on the ground from Dennis Hamilton and Cedric Blacknall with 8 and 9 yard scoring rushes, respectively.

The Vikings will return to action next Saturday, September 6 as they travel to take on Catawba College in Salisbury, NC. Game time is scheduled for 7:00pm. For more information on ECSU Athletics, visit www.ecsuvikings.com.