Sept. 28, 2013
Final Stats
ROCKY MOUNT, NC- The Fayetteville State University Broncos held on for a thrilling 31-27 win over Elizabeth City State University Saturday afternoon at the 16th Annual Down East Viking Football Classic.
The victory gives the Broncos their first win over ECSU in their last five meetings. Before Saturday, FSU's last win over the Vikings came with a 39-6 triumph back in 2005.
On the other side, the Vikings lose their first Down East Viking Football Classic since 2007, the last time they started a season 0-4.
The Broncos began the fourth quarter with a 10 play, 66 yard drive that yielded a 23 yard field goal from FSU's Antonio Mayo to make the score 27-24, Elizabeth City State. On the first play of the ensuing Viking drive, a bad exchange between Casey Turner and tailback Petey Boone left the pigskin on the ground where Rueben Ortega fell on it giving the Broncos first and ten at the ECSU 23.
Fayetteville State (2-2, CIAA 1-0) seized the momentum and a 31-27 lead five plays later on a four yard touchdown pass from Derek Bryant to Antonio Allen.
When the Vikings tuned the ball over on downs on their next drive the Broncos took possession at their own 40 with 4:27 left. After surrendering a first down, the Viking defense held at the Elizabeth City 48, punctuated by a joint quarterback sack by Nigel Rios and Kendall Sellers. A touchback gave the Vikings the ball at their own 20 with 1:54 to go.
Four consecutive passing first downs by Casey Turner got the ECSU offense to the FSU 25 yard line and the reeling Broncos were forced to call a timeout with 1:09 to go. A short 5 yard completion from Turner to Keith Strickland moved the ball to the Bronco 20 but the clock continued to tick against ECSU's hurry up offense. Two incomplete passes later, facing fourth down Turner found Javoris Bryant in the end zone but the ball was juggled and bounced to the turf, sealing the win for FSU.
The Vikings rolled up 530 yards of total offense, including a season high 383 yards passing from Turner but ECSU was 0-3 on fourth down conversions and was held scoreless in the final quarter.
Tyrrel Jones led all defenders with a game high 12 tackles (7 solo) while Petey Boone rushed for a career best 142 yards and a touchdown.
The Vikings led 13-0 at the close of the first quarter and took a 20-14 lead into the locker room at halftime.
ECSU (0-4, CIAA 0-1) will travel to Saint Augustine's University on Saturday, October 5th. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30pm at Southeast Raleigh High School. Follow us on Twitter @ECSUVikings and visit www.ecsuvikings.com for more information.
