ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – After three weeks away from the friendly confines of Roebuck Stadium, the Elizabeth City State University football team will play host to Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association North Division Rival Chowan University on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. for the Think Pink Game.
 
Chowan comes into the game sporting a 2-4 record overall, 1-2 in CIAA conference play and a 1-1 record in North Division action. ECSU comes into the contest with a 1-4 record overall, 0-3 in CIAA play and a 0-2 record in North Division play. The Vikings have dropped two of three conference games by a single possession or less.
 
Last Time Out: Elizabeth City State dropped a heartbreaker on the road at Lincoln, 21-20, on October 13^th. The Vikings fought back from a 14-point deficit to trim the Lincoln lead to one but fell just short. In the contest, the Vikings gained more yards than Lincoln (276 to 245), had more first downs (18 to 13), were better on third down conversions (43% to 31%) and had more time of possession (31 minutes to 29 minutes). However, the Lions were able to convert on big plays early in the game that led to the victory for Lincoln.
 
Last week Chowan dropped a CIAA North Division battle against Virginia Union, 48-38. The Hawks undoing in that contest was turning the ball over as Chowan had four throughout the contest. Chowan garnered more years than Virginia Union (521 to 416) and had more first downs (31 to 18) in the losing effort.
 
Home Sweet Home: The contest against Chowan will mark the first of a two game home stand for the Vikings. It will also be the only time in the 2018 campaign that the Vikings will play back-to-back home games as they will welcome in Virginia Union for Homecoming on October 27^th. ECSU has sported a 1-1 record inside of the confines of Roebuck Stadium, winning in the season opener against Central State and dropping their CIAA opener against St. Augustine's on September 29^th.
 
My Better is Better than Your Better: This contest will showcase one of the best offenses in the CIAA with Chowan against one of the best defenses in CIAA play in the Vikings. The Vikings have made considerable strides defensively in conference play having given up less than 250 yards of offense in two out of their three CIAA matchups.
 
Bridges over Troubled Water: Junior defensive tackle Shawn Bridges led ECSU defensively against Lincoln with eight total tackles; including six tackles for a loss, two sacks and a forced fumble. Bridges also had a great contest on the road at Virginia Union as the junior notched two sacks and three tackles for loss.
 
Riddick Continues to Impress: Freshman wideout Zion Riddick provided the first scoring for ECSU against Lincoln in the form of an 80-yard kickoff return touchdown. This is the second time this season that the Hertford County product has notched a touchdown via kickoff return as he did the same thing against Central State. Against St. Augustine's Riddick broke loose for another return TD but was called back for a penalty.
 
The Brandon Joyner Show: Sophomore transfer Brandon Joyner had his best performance in a Viking uniform against Lincoln as the receiver set personal bests in yards (62) and notched his first receiving touchdown for the Blue and White.
 
Saunders is Back and Effective: Senior running back Deshon Saunders is making the most of his senior campaign since he came back into the Viking lineup against Virginia State on October 6^th. The Suffolk product notched a 90-yard rushing effort against the Trojans and contributed a 32-yard catch for the Vikings. He followed that up leading the ECSU rushing attack against Lincoln with a 73-yard game. The senior averaged over ten yards per carry in the Lincoln contest.
 
Think Pink Game: ECSU will be hosting their annual Think Pink Contest against Chowan. Players will have the well-recognized pink ribbon adorning their helmets for the contest and ECSU has recognition and events planned to honor Breast Cancer survivors and people currently battling the disease.
 
Homecoming is Quickly Approaching: Homecoming festivities are less than a week away. Starting Monday, October 22^nd there will be events all around ECSU for students and alumni alike. The week will cumulate with the annual Homecoming football game on October 27^th as the Vikings will take on Virginia Union in a 1:00 p.m. contest inside of Roebuck Stadium. Make sure to follow ECSUVikings.com for more information or go to ECSU.edu for more information on all of the events around campus during Homecoming Week.