Sept. 16, 2012
Final Stats
ELIZABETH CITY, NC- In their first ever meeting, it was Elizabeth City State University who held on for a 13-12 victory over Albany State University Saturday evening at Roebuck Stadium.
With 1:49 remaining in the game the Golden Rams began a drive at the Viking 33-yard line and on the first play from scrimmage Nathan Hoyte scrambled for 12 yards and a first down at the Vikings 21 yard line.
On the ensuing snap, ASU quarterback David Kooi's pass was deflected at the line of scrimmage and intercepted by middle linebacker Julius Williams at the ECSU 17 yard line. The Vikings took over and two knees later secured their first win of the year. The Golden Rams (1-2) scored the game's first two touchdowns; the first an 81-yard catch and run from Kooi to Jessie Atkins with 2:54 left in the first half and a 12-yard rushing TD by Hoyte at the 4:53 mark of the third quarter. Unfortunately for ASU they failed to convert both critical extra points.
The Vikings were always able to stay within striking distance of the Golden Rams thanks to the clutch field goal kicking of Brett Symonds. After narrowly missing a chance to put ECSU on the board first with an errant 32 yard attempt, Symonds had a 44 yard make just before halftime and made good on another, this time from 29 yards out, at the 6:35 mark of the third quarter.
Daronte McNeill's first TD of the year came on a 5-yard run with 8:39 left in the game. Symonds then managed to do what Albany State could not in the contest; he connected on the extra point to give the Vikings their first lead of the season which ultimately proved to be the go ahead point.
Defensively, the Vikings came up big in the drive before Williams' game saving interception. The Golden Rams' 9-play, 74-yard drive came up short as the ECSU defensive unit turned them away after four tries from inside the Viking 5-yard line. The Vikings took over on downs and burned precious time off the ASU clock before punting the ball away with 1:49 left in regulation.
Both teams drew even on the evening in first downs with 16 apiece, while ECSU held a slight edge in the time of possession 32:54 to 27:06.
ECSU (1-2) will open up CIAA play next Saturday when they head to Fayetteville, NC to take on the Fayetteville State University Broncos. Game time is scheduled for 6:00pm. For more information on ECSU Athletics, visit www.ecsuvikings.com and follow on Twitter @ECSUVikings.
