Sept. 6, 2008

Final Stats

SALISBURY, NC- The Catawba College Indians evened their record at 1-1 with a win over Elizabeth City State University Saturday evening at Shuford Stadium.

Facing third down and trailing by five (34-29) in the fourth quarter ECSU quarterback Curtis Rich, Jr. was sacked and a questionable fumble return for a touchdown by defensive lineman Marqus Davis was allowed to stand for the final point spread.

Catawba took the lead for good on a 5-yard rushing touchdown by Jamelle Cuthbertson with 7:28 left in the third quarter. Gerron Bryant caught a 23-yard touchdown from Howard Williamson with 13:02 remaining to extend the lead to 34-23. Down but not totally out the Vikings countered with a 34-yard rushing touchdown by Dennis Hamilton, yet the two-point conversion failed for the 34-29 score.

Two possessions later the Vikings again found life when Ken Lee intercepted a Williamson pass at the ECSU 34 setting up the drive that would end with the sack of Rich which yielded the last touchdown by the Indians. Rich finished the day with 209 yards passing and one touchdown.

In the first quarter ECSU jumped out to an early 13-0 lead within the games first four minutes. First a 3 play 83 yard drive was capped by a 67 yard touchdown pass from Curtis Rich, Jr. to Dexter Manley. The extra point was missed but just two minutes later a 2-yard touchdown by Hamilton was tacked on after a fumbled punt attempt by Catawba.

The Indians then answered with three straight scores to take a 21-13 lead. The Vikings would pull to within a point (21-20) after Reggie Smith returned a kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown. Daniel Mendez gave the Vikings a 23-21 lead at halftime with 35-yard field goal.

Manley finished the night with 149 yards on 8 catches while Rod Jones led all defenders with a game high 12 tackles along with a fumble recovery and a sack.

The Vikings (1-1) will return to action on Saturday, September 13 at Tusculum College in Greeneville, TN. Game time is slated for 6:00pm for more information on ECSU Athletics, visit www.ecsuvikings.com.